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I recently was able to watch some NFL games from the early 80s. What I noticed was the deep officials (SJ, FJ, BJ) would let the play PASS them and chase the ball carrier to the endzone. It would often result in the HL and LJ running five yards behind the deep wings. The two wing officials on the same sideline would often converge on the goal-line on 10 yard TD runs and both would arrive at the goal-line at the same time and both signal TD.
I also noticed the wings angled to the dead ball spot and didn't square off coming in the get the forward progress. Then also would charge in to get the spot and not lay back and observe the action. I've seen games from the 60s where one offical actually STRADDLED a player to get the ball and the spot; the player couldn't get up!
Also, the referee would step off penalties and then make his signals. It took penalty enforcements over twice as long.
These officials were the best in their day (Cal Lepore, Fred Silva, Pat Haggerty, Jerry Bergman, Dean Look, Jack Fette, Bob Beeks, Burl Toler, Fritz Graf and more). However, the mechanics taught today are worlds better. It would have been fun to see those officials work with today's mechanics.
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