[JRutledge]

Tony,

I have never agreed with you more at this time and this post. I feel the same way. I am by no means a great official. This is my 9th season as an official. Whatever you think of me as an official (not necessarily you Tony) I do not go around calling things that no one around me supports or understands. Officiating is about calling the obvious. If you are going to stand on the rulebook, you better had a ruling, casebook reference, state ruling and even some other evidence through the NF website or NCAA website to support these unusual situations. If not, then you better differ to some common sense.

I say this a lot but most of us that do this want to move to other levels. Not everyone but most officials I know want to get varsity games or college games at some point. Or they want to see if they can work those types of games. I did a presentation this past November on the very subject of moving up. You will not move up if you start calling things that are only the black and white part of the rulebook. You have to use common sense and know how deal with coaches. If you cannot figure out both of these things, you will not move up. It is really that simple.

Peace