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Old Thu Feb 14, 2013, 04:57pm
jTheUmp jTheUmp is offline
TODO: creative title here
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 1,250
Basically, they're putting the official in the "NFL-umpire" position, without taking away the currently-existing umpire position. My guess is that it's to help with blocking responsibilities that are currently shared by R and U. With a 'second umpire', you could allow the R to become a "quarterback only" official, and let U and U2 handle interior line play.

Or you could have R take QB + opposite tackle, U take C-G, and U2 take G-T.

LOS and Deep-3 officials keep the same keys/responsibilities as before.

I know the NFL's 8th official experiment in preseason a few years back was adding a "deep judge"... basically a second Back Judge to help with pass play/down field coverage. Must've not been enough of an improvement to implement full-time.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with the experiment.
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