Live and die with the ECO?

[Rich]

I'd want the ECO to stop the clock only on something like this. I do not want the ECO to substitute their judgment on a ball carried out of bounds, however.

Slightly related:

I had a clock operator on Friday night (home team provides the operator here, in the press box) who simply could not handle my pace, for whatever reason.

On first downs, the LJ stops the clock and as soon as the ball's spotted and I'm confident the box will make it to the spot prior to the next snap, I'm starting it - no different than my RFP pace on other plays. On routine first downs that aren't 30 yards down the field, the clock may be stopped for 3-5 seconds, at most and that's the time it takes for the U to get the ball and get it down.

I stood there winding my arm and winding my arm and...nothing. Drove me crazy. Twice I had to whistle and stop the teams so I could *start* the clock. Miserable.

One place where the NFL has it right. Let the clock run. Why stop it just to move the chains. Do it the last 2 minutes if you want, but why bother otherwise?