I know the refs have much some pretty bad mistakes, but I think that it is really getting blown out of proportion. These stats are from before the weekend, so I don't know how much they have changed after the latest games, but here they are:
Quote:
The perception seems to be flags are flying indiscriminately. And yet:
• The average number of penalties per game is down from 15.2 to 14.7.
• On player-safety calls, such as roughing the passer; unnecessary roughness, including hitting defenseless players; and, face-mask or horse-collar violations, the calls are nearly even: 75 this year, 74 last.
• Instant replay reviews are way up, an increase of 16. But the percentage of reversals is way down: 23 this year out of 62 as opposed to 21 of 46 in 2011.
• Defensive pass interference and illegal contact penalties are up, but only from 48 to 51, surprising because of the hubbub raised on the airwaves about the lack of such calls.
Offensive players believe the replacements are concentrating on pass interference penalties against them, not against defensive backs. The numbers: six such calls this season to nine through two weeks last year.
...
Average time of game is about six minutes longer in 2012 than in 2011, and with only one overtime game in the opening two weeks -- same as last year -- extra periods can't be blamed. More likely, the time it takes to properly administrate penalties throughout the game is the cause.
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http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/84...ular-refs-same
Don't get me wrong, I would rather have the real refs back, I just don't believe the problem is nearly as bad as it is being made out to be.