The Blown Replay Review

[JohnH19]

How could replay not reverse the call on the Cotchery reception in the 1st period? It was clear that the ball never touched the ground. I hate replay at the best of times but it drives me crazy when a review still doesn't get it right.

Mike Carey, who was a terrific referee, is generally thought to have been a dismal failure as the CBS officiating expert but several of the decisions he has been "wrong" on have actually been mistakes by the replay officials. I believe he got this one right.

Since it directly led to Denver's first TD, I wonder how long it will be before any of the talking heads on the NFL N bring that blown call up as a potential turning point in the game.

[Rupert Patrick]

I thought the call was blown also; it looked like a catch to me.

[Reaser]

With respect to the NFL's convoluted and inconsistent rules on what is and isn't a catch, when I saw the replay I thought the call would stand because the ball touched the ground and it looked like it was slightly moving when he started to roll over. So I guess I think the officials got it correct (on replay), in one respect. Though I think had it been a catch to start that the call would have stood as a reception.

If there was no replay system and it was just me deciding whether or not it was a catch or not, I'd probably say it was a catch.

I laughed when Carey was "wrong", again. Like John pointed out, times when he's wrong when it's actually the officials who get it wrong, but it's still 'funny' that he's the "rules expert" and former ref and - like everyone else - he doesn't have a clue what the ruling will be.

Someone else recently posted the replay system is a "coin flip", which I think is a good way to put it. It can be clear as day and it's still 50/50 with NFL rules, officials and with the people in charge of the replay system.

[JWL]

I thought the call was blown also; it looked like a catch to me.

To me, there was no doubt it was a good catch. A couple plays later there was a touchdown that happened partially due to where the Panthers had the ball. The blown call was a key play in the game.

[Todd Pence]

IT's time to dump replay altogether. The relatively small amount of blown calls it's gotten right aren't enough to justify the trouble and time it causes, and a re effectively negated by the numerous times a right call is overturned.

[JohnH19]

It'll never happen but we can always dream.

Replay has been a detriment to every sport that has adopted it. The NHL had it kind of right when it was only used to review questionable goals/non-goals. Now they're reviewing missed offside calls and goalie interference through coach's challenges. It's an absolute mess.

[Steviek]

Looked like a catch to me. The ball never hit the ground. Unfortunately it was a game changing non-call, albeit early in the game.

[Reaser]

It'll never happen but we can always dream.

Replay has been a detriment

I agree.

Since it's here to stay, I actually think replays in the CFL run much smoother than the NFL, and don't think it's really even close. You see it like that, too, John?

[Reaser]

The ball never hit the ground.

It touched the ground on the front end. Maybe people are confused because Nantz and Simms were talking about how it "never touched the ground" but they were referring to the backend of the catch (after he rolled over). When he was going to the ground his hand was under it but the ball definitely touched the ground and when he rolled over the ball was moving around.

Would I call it a catch? Yes.

... but I 'get' how they stayed with the incomplete call. Not that I agree but I don't think it's as egregious as many - all over the internet - have made it out to be. As if the ball never moved and never touched the ground. It did and it did.

Either way, in real time I thought it was a catch. After replay I would call it a catch though I thought 100% they would stay with incomplete ... and they didn't originally rule it a reception so staying with the call after replay makes some sense (according to the convoluted rules, at least) ...

[John Grasso]

It'll never happen but we can always dream.

Replay has been a detriment to every sport that has adopted it. The NHL had it kind of right when it was only used to review questionable goals/non-goals. Now they're reviewing missed offside calls and goalie interference through coach's challenges. It's an absolute mess.

Replay seems to work well in tennis. It also doesn't take a lot of time.