Rugby Replay

[NWebster]

Watching Premier League Rugby over the holidays I was actually fascinated by how they use replay. Similar to the NFL the primary referee goes over and speaks to a game official (I don't think they're all hunkered down in New York) reviews from multiple angle discusses the rule and makes a final ruling. THE fascinating part is that all of this conversation is broadcast on live TV. You hear the referee and the replay officials entire discussion. I have to say, it was great. Way better than listening to Troy Aikman drone on - incorrectly - or Cris Collinsworth complain that nobody knows what a catch is. You get direct insight into why the call was made the way it was - I'd love the NFL to do the same.

There are only two reasons I can think not to, 1.) You couldn't squeeze an ad in over a replay, and 2.) If, even after that deliberation, the wrong outcome occurred there'd be no ability to fabricate a story after the fact to defend it. I think fans would prefer that neither of these be part of the game - alas - Herr Goodell probably highly values each of the above. Am I a synic that I basically assume the league given a choice of two outcomes will always chose the one I'll enjoy the least?

[Reaser]

Arena Football did similar. The announcers just tossed it down to the official who had a headset on and talked through the replay while the cameras showed him watching the screen -which could also be seen- so you were listening to his thought process while watching exactly the same video he was.

[MarbleEye]

I'm all for throwing televised reply into the can and letting the officials call whole the game the way they see it. If a bad call happens, well tough luck and shake it off. The constant parsing of what's a catch and what isn't is totally ridiculous.

Or at least, eliminate all mandatory booth reviews, give a coach 2 or 3 challenges per game and that's all. If the coach wants to use them as time outs, he can. If a coach doesn't save one and a game twists away from him on a bad officials call, oh well, tough luck, stuff happens. Next time hold onto one until late in the 4th quarter.

It was only originally meant to get the most game changing critical errors. The most flagrantly bad calls. The stuff I see being reviewed and changed today is totally off the charts and very far from what was originally intended. This system needs to be reined in and the definition of what is a caught ball needs to be dramatically simplified and liberalized. JMHO, your mileage may vary.

[Reaser]

I'm all for throwing televised reply into the can and letting the officials call whole the game the way they see it. If a bad call happens, well tough luck and shake it off. The constant parsing of what's a catch and what isn't is totally ridiculous.

Or at least, eliminate all mandatory booth reviews, give a coach 2 or 3 challenges per game and that's all. If the coach wants to use them as time outs, he can. If a coach doesn't save one and a game twists away from him on a bad officials call, oh well, tough luck, stuff happens. Next time hold onto one until late in the 4th quarter.

It was only originally meant to get the most game changing critical errors. The most flagrantly bad calls. The stuff I see being reviewed and changed today is totally off the charts and very far from what was originally intended. This system needs to be reined in and the definition of what is a caught ball needs to be dramatically simplified and liberalized. JMHO, your mileage may vary.

I posted something similar here not too long ago. Basically how I feel about replay, also.

[Bob Gill]

It was only originally meant to get the most game changing critical errors. The most flagrantly bad calls. The stuff I see being reviewed and changed today is totally off the charts and very far from what was originally intended. This system needs to be reined in and the definition of what is a caught ball needs to be dramatically simplified and liberalized. JMHO, your mileage may vary.

I agree completely.

[NWebster]

It was only originally meant to get the most game changing critical errors. The most flagrantly bad calls. The stuff I see being reviewed and changed today is totally off the charts and very far from what was originally intended. This system needs to be reined in and the definition of what is a caught ball needs to be dramatically simplified and liberalized. JMHO, your mileage may vary.

I agree completely.

+1

[JuggernautJ]

It was only originally meant to get the most game changing critical errors. The most flagrantly bad calls. The stuff I see being reviewed and changed today is totally off the charts and very far from what was originally intended. This system needs to be reined in and the definition of what is a caught ball needs to be dramatically simplified and liberalized. JMHO, your mileage may vary.

I agree completely.

+1

Well said.
Another +1.