Will there be a rule change based on the blown call?

[Dr. Broncenstein]

There is no doubt that the blown call is going to be a hot topic next offseason with the rules commitee. Do you think there will be a change in the rule to allow continued play or possesion change after the whistle? IF so, what would be your proposal?

I have a feeling that the officials are going to be reluctant to blow the whistle this season in the event of a loose ball... even if they think the play is dead... out of fear of being smeared ala Hochuli if they are wrong. Instead, they may opt to let the play continue with the thought of using replay to sort it out. For that matter, I think that already happens. The problem then becomes an imperfect replay system with sometimes limited viewing angles.... where the replay has to provide conclusive visual evidence.

IMO, replay is there to overturn the egregious errors while the ball is in play. Once the whistle is blown, the play is dead. I just don't see how the rule can be changed to "fix" this scenario without opening a giant can of worms. Players may continue to run / block / pile on / etc after the whistle hoping to get a replay reversal. What happens then... especally if a big time quarterback gets hurt on such a play? I don't see how you can eliminate the human error factor out of officiating, even with replay. It's part of the game.

[TheReverend]

No.

[CBF1]

It has been all over the sports sites that the NFL is going to look into it next off season.

[Dr. Broncenstein]

It has been all over the sports sites that the NFL is going to look into it next off season.

Every single commentator on Sirius... including coach Schottenheimer... said the blown call "cost the Chargers the game," and that the league had to adress it. I have a real problem with the first part... partly bias, but mostly because of the fact that we still had to get in the endzone twice. But to be so upset that "the rules have to change" is pretty crazy IMO. I would like to know how then...

[TheReverend]

It has been all over the sports sites that the NFL is going to look into it next off season.

But they won't change it. They don't want QBs getting hurt diving into piles and diminishing the product the NFL provides on Sundays.

[Garcia Bronco]

No

[Taco John]

They will look at it, and maybe even discuss it for a few minutes, and then ultimately come to the correct conclusion that there is no way that you can allow 300 pound men to continue playing after the whistle has blown a play dead.

[Bladerunner]

I don't think they will change it...they already changed part of the rules regarding fumbles and play after whistles, but they kept some provisions in to protect QBs...I don't think they will change those as well...

[Bladerunner]

They will look at it, and maybe even discuss it for a few minutes, and then ultimately come to the correct conclusion that there is no way that you can allow 300 pound men to continue playing after the whistle has blown a play dead.

of course they already to allow it under certain circumstances...

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/09/16/cowboys-couldnt-have-recovered-the-ball/

Moving forward, the question is whether the rule will change. Pereira explained that, when the down-by-contact rule was changed to permit efforts to recover a loose ball after the whistle, the owners considered applying the same rule to the Hochuli situation, where a fumble was ruled an incomplete pass. Pereira said that, because the ball will bounce more freely in such situations, a decision was made not to allow the action to continue after the whistle.

[CasinoRoyal]

Naw because youd have QBs taking big time shots after the play is over.........

And the NFL will never allow that to happen..

Ref just made a mistake. Shyt happens...

[skpac1001]

Yes. Players go after the ball if they think its a fumble, regardless. Cutler did. The rule doesn't prevent that.

[Spider]

these calls are old , been going on for years ....... the one rule i would like to see changed in the P.I. rule ..... 10 yards no matter what ........ More games come down to some guy getting a PI late in the game , then the inadvertent whistle call

[skpac1001]

these calls are old , been going on for years ....... the one rule i would like to see changed in the P.I. rule ..... 10 yards no matter what ........ More games come down to some guy getting a PI late in the game , then the inadvertent whistle call

I don't know how practical it would be, I know its a judgement call, but after watching Cowboys/Eagles, I kind of wish PI was reviewable.

[Spider]

I don't know how practical it would be, I know its a judgement call, but after watching Cowboys/Eagles, I kind of wish PI was reviewable.

agreed .......

[Crushaholic]

It would be utter chaos if they allowed players to play after the whistle is blown.

[cutthemdown]

I don't see how. The whistle has to stop play or players will just keep playing after the whistle. It's a player safety issue.