Back Judge Down! Pitt/Minn

[Sonofanump]

Originally Posted by bisonlj

Colin Cowherd was talking about the play today and said the officials are too old and they need to hire younger, more fit officials. He didn't think it was that hard of a job and anyone could do it.

Can I stand next to him to let him know every time he makes a mistake when he actually tries?

[bbcof83]

YouTube - Referee gets decked by Vikings guy

Looks to me like Dugan was running down the field looking for someone to block (most likely #31 who is shown chasing Harvin toward the end) and just didn't see the shorter official or assumed he would get out of the way. Looked like a case of a big beefy dude hustling to make a play. He had tunnel vision, didn't see the official. It was clearly by accident.

Anyone who has been a BJ or U is fully aware that any player who is not a running back is not looking out for the officials. Their brains are going a mile a minute and if you don't get out of their way you could be collateral damage.

Cowherd is a bonehead.

[InsideTheStripe]

I'm not familiar with NFL 7 man mechanics.

Can someone tell me what the BJ was doing on the hash on a KO return? What position was the other official on the other hash and why was he there?

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by InsideTheStripe

I'm not familiar with NFL 7 man mechanics.

Can someone tell me what the BJ was doing on the hash on a KO return? What position was the other official on the other hash and why was he there?

...i believe college does the same thing in 7 man

[JRod37]

Since years before I became an official I have been an advocate for getting at minimum a hockey-style helmet for officials, especially the ones who end up in the middle of the field. I know that means more money to spend on equipment, but we don't seem to care about chest protectors for baseball.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by JRod37

Since years before I became an official I have been an advocate for getting at minimum a hockey-style helmet for officials, especially the ones who end up in the middle of the field. I know that means more money to spend on equipment, but we don't seem to care about chest protectors for baseball.

Yes we do. I do not see a need honestly. Maybe if they get more agile individuals, this would not happen. The problem is the age and mobility of the officials, not just a helmet.

Peace

[jTheUmp]

Or they need less-agile guys who are able to take a hit.

Heck, in my last game, I got hit/run into by players on 4 separate occasions. Luckily for me, I'm 6'4", 270 and I can absorb it. In one case, I think I (accidentally) knocked the guy over. I even had a couple of players apologize to me for running into me.

In all seriousness though, agility and mobility are a big asset to the umpire, along with being able to anticipate what's going to happen. But there are times where you'll still get caught in a bad spot, and there's not much you can do about it.

I've heard rumblings of possibly moving the U to a position behind the offense, opposite the R. I'm not sure if I like that idea or not. It would be a safer position, to be sure, but I'm concerned that we would be less able to see the action that we need to see to officiate properly.

[jaybird]

Originally Posted by InsideTheStripe

I'm not familiar with NFL 7 man mechanics.

Can someone tell me what the BJ was doing on the hash on a KO return? What position was the other official on the other hash and why was he there?

On kick-offs, the B and U start on the sideline at the kickers restraining line. Once the ball is kicked, they come onto the field at about the hash marks.