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It's time to scrap instant replay because the system isn't working

Sporting News, The, Dec 27, 2004 by Troy Aikman

I don't like instant replay. Never have, never will. It doesn't make the game better, and too often it makes the game worse.

The intention of instant replay--to correct mistakes by officials--is good, I suppose. But try as it might, the NFL just can't get instant replay to work right. And the calls that are corrected aren't worth the aggravation caused by the glitches in the system.

One glitch--no, it was a travesty, because this was huge--was the Keyshawn Johnson touchdown catch in the Seahawks-Cowboys game on Monday night in Week 13. The official on the field ruled the catch good, but TV replays showed Johnson's elbow landed out of bounds before his second foot came down in bounds.

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The call should have been reversed, which the replay official was in position to do because the play was in the last 2 minutes of the game. This was his time to shine. But he didn't review the play; he just let it go. The touchdown counted, and moments later the Cowboys recovered an onside kick and scored again to win the game. For the Seahawks, making the playoffs, playoff seeding and even Mike Holmgren's job security could wind up being affected by this instant replay failure.

If a call so obviously wrong can be ignored on a Monday night--when more cameras are in place than for any other game that week--why should we believe the system works? Oh, it does some of the time. But not often enough.

Part of the problem is that so much of officiating is subjective. What constitutes holding? Pass interference? Roughing the passer? Each crew interprets the rules its own way, which makes it impossible to have consistent officiating from game to game. Now, if you say these types of calls aren't subject to review because they're judgment calls, you're right. But if the goal of instant replay is to help officials call the game, then much of what they do isn't even part of the equation.

Here's the deal: The officials do a pretty good job. Yes, they make mistakes, but at least when the official makes the call, that's what the call is, just like with an umpire in baseball.

We should be able to live with that, because the technology of instant replay isn't helping. Even with the simplest of things. If an official in a booth who's responsible for major calls in only 4 minutes of a game on a Monday night can't get it right, the system is seriously flawed. And should be scrapped.

DRAFT DISH

Wisconsin DE Erasmus James, who missed 2003 with a hip injury, is a monster pass rusher but struggles against the run at times. His recognition skills and ability to find the ball need to improve. At 6-4, 261, James needs to add bulk, but has the frame to do it. He's a second-round pick who's gaining momentum. * Florida State WR Craphonso Thorpe had a disappointing season but should be impressive enough in workouts to be drafted on Day 1, possibly in the second round. Thorpe isn't afraid to be physical, has tremendous leaping ability and is a blazer who also uses his speed well as a return man. * A four-year starter, Georgia QB David Greene doesn't have a big arm but is deadly accurate, sees the field well and rarely makes mistakes--he has only two interceptions this season. Above all, Greene is an unquestioned leader who makes those around him better. He likely will be a third-round pick. * Despite being undersized at 6-1,220, Clemson ILB Leroy Hill is a tackling machine. Hill has good speed and excellent instincts and is strong in coverage. His potential to be an impact player should make him a third-round selection.

Get the latest draft analysis and rankings by subscribing to Pro Football War Room at warroom.sportingnews.com.

SCOUTS VIEWS

Observations and opinions from two pro scouts, one from each conference

If Marry Schottenheimer is not the coach of the year, then John Fox should be--regardless of what happens in the final two weeks. Fox lost his top three running backs, but he was able to keep his guys focused, keep them believing and stay true to his plan. I think he's done a wonderful job. ... When he's healthy, Randy Moss still is the most feared offensive weapon in the NFL. He's the only player who can consistently beat double-teams by going up and taking the ball away from two defenders, and he's one of the few players who can score from anywhere on the field. You might be able to hold him to three catches. The only problem is they might be three catches for 150 yards and three touchdowns. ... The 49ers' offensive line is the weakest I've seen, at any level--NFL, CFL or XFL. They need to completely overhaul it. I don't see one player in there right now who should be starting in the National Football League. They ought to give Tim Rattay and Ken Dorsey combat pay. ... T.J. Houshmandzadeh is an unrestricted free agent who is making himself a lot of money right now. He's a tough receiver who really knows how to work the middle of the field. He has very good hands and very good quickness, which allows him to separate from defenders. And he's been a punt returner, so he knows how to make plays with the ball in his hands. ... Eli Manning certainly has all the physical tools, but right now he's lacking in poise. When he gets back to hit his plant foot, he's immediately looking at the rush rather than keeping his vision downfield. It's a combination of things that aren't helping him right now. You've got a weak offensive line, a kid who's panicky back there because of that line, and I don't think he's real comfortable in the entire scheme yet. ... Donnie Edwards is a little bit smaller than what you'd like for an inside linebacker, but the play of San Diego's defensive front allows him to stay unblocked and do what he does best, which is use his speed and range to make plays sideline to sideline. I think they have the most underrated front seven in the NFL. They don't have a lot of studs, but they play as hard as any group I've seen on tape this year.

It's time to scrap instant replay because the system isn't working

Sporting News, The, Dec 27, 2004 by Troy Aikman

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