NFL Officials Predictions

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by Mr. BenchPress
Just a question, and I realize hind sight is 20-20, but wouldn't the Super Bowl official most likely had to have been Ed Hochuli? Here's why: I figure, like many have said, that the NFL wants to use crews that have already worked a playoff game in the first two rounds. But like the regular season, they probably don't want to have referees officiating games involving the same team in a short time period. In otherwords, Carolina advancing to the Super Bowl elminated 3 referees (Coleman, Carey, and, course, Kukar). New England advancing eliminated 1 more referee (Carollo) [Coleman did second game]. That left four officials who worked playoff games that didn't involve a team in the Super Bowl; Jeff Triplette (TEN-BAL), Johnny Grier (DEN-IND), Gerry Austin (KC-IND), and Hochuli (PHI-GB). Now I would contend, as some have on this board, that Grier had a bad year and I was surprised he got a playoff game. Triplette is a relatively inexperienced referee; Austin, while very good, has worked two Super Bowls in the last five or so years. Now while none of this really matters, and I am sure there is no reason a referee who hasn't worked since the regular season couldn't work the Super Bowl, if I were a betting man, Ed Hochuli would have been my choice as soon as Carolina beat Philadelphia.

None of that has anything to do with it, Mr. BP. Before the season even kicked off, it was already determined that the #1 rated crew would work the Super Bowl. Hoculi's crew was rated #1, in spite of having 4 crew members who have less than 5 years of experience in the league. I don't think that's a mistake as there's something to be said for leadership.

It unfortunate that those 4 guys won't get to work the SB. But I wouldn't worry. I'm sure they'll get a chance in another year or two.

[BoBo]

http://desmoinesregister.com/sports/.../23378016.html

I know a guy here in Des Moines who is on that crew and has to stay home. Bummer but I hope he gets his day someday soon.

[mightyvol]

THE THOUGHT OF HOCHULI WORKING THE SUPER BOWL HAS RUINED IT FOR ME. I CANT STAND IT. SORRY TO HURT SO MANY FEELINGS,BUT YOU WILL SEE WHY I DONT CARE FOR MR.HOCHULI TOMORROW NITE AT 5:25 CST. --------------HE WILL MESS SOMETHING UP I GUARANTEE IT. JUST WATCH.

MIGHTY

[TXMike]

Unfortunately as officials we cannot bet, especially on a football game or anything to do with one, but I would have bet you that he will not "mess something up." He will correctly enforce whatever he is given and he will not make any mistakes in the judging of plays which are his to judge.

[Snake~eyes]

Originally posted by TXMike
Unfortunately as officials we cannot bet, especially on a football game or anything to do with one, but I would have bet you that he will not "mess something up."

What keeps you from betting on NFL football games that you have no association with?


Anyways, I'm sure Ed does an excellent job and would be willing to be money that he doesn't make any bad calls. I'm sure he has over-studied his tuck rule and will be good to go.

[TXMike]

What keeps me from betting on NFL games is that outside chance that some day I may be filling out an application for a NCAA conference and get hot with the question, "have you ever bet on a football game.?"

[mikesears]

Originally posted by mightyvol
THE THOUGHT OF HOCHULI WORKING THE SUPER BOWL HAS RUINED IT FOR ME. I CANT STAND IT. SORRY TO HURT SO MANY FEELINGS,BUT YOU WILL SEE WHY I DONT CARE FOR MR.HOCHULI TOMORROW NITE AT 5:25 CST. --------------HE WILL MESS SOMETHING UP I GUARANTEE IT. JUST WATCH.

MIGHTY

I believe the exact opposite. I will be watching the game BECAUSE he is the referee. I don't care who wins the game and the commercials aren't nearly as good as they used to be. Hocholi does an outstanding job and I've yet to see him "mess something up". He is getting the game he deserves because he was judged to be the best at that position this year. I agree with the NFL.

[c it first]

I will be watching the game because he is the referee also. I hope the producers show more of him ( actually I hope they show more of the entire crew ) As for betting , I make trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City and have always tried to give myself the best odds possible. The bet that Hochuli will miss a call would have me scrambling for every dollar I could beg or borrow. He will not miss a call. He's there because he earned it.

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by mightyvol
THE THOUGHT OF HOCHULI WORKING THE SUPER BOWL HAS RUINED IT FOR ME. I CANT STAND IT. SORRY TO HURT SO MANY FEELINGS,BUT YOU WILL SEE WHY I DONT CARE FOR MR.HOCHULI TOMORROW NITE AT 5:25 CST. --------------HE WILL MESS SOMETHING UP I GUARANTEE IT. JUST WATCH.

Since you didn't watch, I'm happy to tell you that Ed and crew did a terrific job.

Sorry to spoil your fun! You missed a great game.

[Snake~eyes]

Originally posted by BktBallRef

Since you didn't watch, I'm happy to tell you that Ed and crew did a terrific job.

Sorry to spoil your fun! You missed a great game.

They did an excellent job, I know Ed did make a screw up, but it wasn't a judgement call lol. He called Illegal Reciever Downfield against the defense lol

[ump76]

Originally posted by Snake~eyes

They did an excellent job, I know Ed did make a screw up, but it wasn't a judgement call lol. He called Illegal Reciever Downfield against the defense lol

You're allowed a verbal error every now and then. It was enforced properly though.........

[Snake~eyes]

I know, verbal error is no biggy. But I did think they were letting the game get out of hand in the first half, it started to get a little rough during dead ball periods with cheap shots and things like that. I think they should have put an end to that right away, even if it is the superbowl those things shouldn't be tolerated. Pushing and shoving I can understand letting go but when they shouldn't have allowed the players to give cheapshots. Ah well overall it was excellently officiated.

[Bob M.]

REPLY: I agree that they did a great job. The only place where I thought (remember that I said "thought") they had screwed up was when Delhomme threw a pass into the ground just beyond the LOS. The HL threw a flag. When Hochuli announced that the pass thrown at the feet of an eligible was not intentional grounding by rule, I thought (remember "thought" again) that the HL would be red-faced. But when he said that the foul was for an ineligible downfield and the replay clearly showed that #69 had gone beyond the LOS and looped back just about the time the pass was thrown, he was vindicated...and I had the red face. Also, there were some absolutely great catch/no-catch calls, one by the umpire on a pivot, and another by the FJ when I thought he was probably screened by the receiver's body. But he got it, and he got it right!

[insatty]

This was a great game that was flawlessly officiated. The best call of the game was the Offensive PI when the NE receiver shoved the defender. Replays showed that the shove created clear separation. Hochuli's crew earned their $25K game fees and turned in uplifting performances that make this official look forward to September.

[TXMike]

Originally posted by Snake~eyes
I know, verbal error is no biggy. But I did think they were letting the game get out of hand in the first half, it started to get a little rough during dead ball periods with cheap shots and things like that. I think they should have put an end to that right away, even if it is the superbowl those things shouldn't be tolerated. Pushing and shoving I can understand letting go but when they shouldn't have allowed the players to give cheapshots. Ah well overall it was excellently officiated.

We have heard time and time again that the NFL wants to guys to resort to flagging players as a LAST RESORT, which is probably much different than how most of us approach our level of games. Heck they even had at least 1 alternate official out on the field helping break up one scrum. That is the way they want it handled and this crew did what they were told.