I like Mike Pereira, but not EVERYTHING he says makes complete sense.

Then again, he's not talking to us - he's talking to fanboys. We know more than the average watcher of NFL Total Access does about officiating mechanics.

REPLY: Jerry Markbreit did it for his entire career. He wouldn't even spit the darn thing out when listening to a crewmate report a foul. The only time the whistle left his mouth was when he was talking.

I was talking about this with an official who works BB as well and he said it is not a problem for him cuz he is used to the whistle being in his mouth for BB. I still think it is good to keep it out of the mouth to have another split second before you can blow it, but it depends on the individual.

I let that thing drop out of my mouth as soon as the ball is snapped. And definitely keep it away from your mouth on kicks, lest ye see a penalty and have your mind snap when you throw the flag and you blow the whistle, too.

Basketball refs blow the whistle when they see the foul. When you do both sports, you have to train yourself not to do that in football.