Siding with Your Sidelines

[schmitty1973]

Originally posted by Texoma_LJ
I agree with the rationale of 40-0 blow outs, and think the(3) "must" fouls idea is great. I was thinking more of a ball game that goes into overtime. Do you tend to "stuff the flag" and "let the players decide". (OT in hockey with no calls comes to mind). Or do you call the OT in the same mindset you would all others. Aother example might be...4th and inches late in the game, defenders are tight up on the line and a head(s) are in the neutral zone. To me the defense is trying to gain an advantage in being up so close, though some may see this as ticky-tack.

I also agree with the 40-0 "no calls". Last year a team was up BIG in the 4th and was inside the 5 again, and the DE on my side lined up with his head in the NZ, I didn't call it, but the LJ called it instead. Then the next play the same thing happened, except this time the LJ seemed it was necessary to yell at me and tell me to call my side of the ball. I told them why I didn't call it but he went on and on anyway.
As far as the OT thing goes, I would think the same thing. If someone is clearly in the NZ, then I throw the flag, but if it's nit-picky then I would let it go. I don't see how you can gain much of an advantage just because your finger is even with the ball. That's just my opinion anyway.