Re: Face mask...what facemask?????

Here's a clip that shows where all 7 officials are positioned on the field (from [operations.nfl.com] ):



The person at the bottom of the photo with the blue circle, positioned behind the QB, is the referee. This is their job on passing plays:

- Before the snap, watches for false starts by the QB and the Running Backs
- Watches the Right Guard, Right Tackle and monitors their actions and those of the defenders engaged with them
- Turns attention solely to quarterback as the defense becomes a threat
- Primarily responsible for all action around and to the QB/Passer
- Rule on Roughing the Passer, Offensive Holding, Pass/Fumble and Intentional Grounding

The referee for last night's game was Carl Cheffers. This is his 14th year as a ref and he served as the referee in SB 51 (Patriots/Falcons) and SB 55 (Chiefs/Bucs). ESPN ranks Cheffers as the #6 ref in the NFL [www.espn.com] ... and while I have no idea who Samson the Beard is, he ranks Cheffers 3rd. [samsonthebeard.com]

So obviously Cheffers missed the call. It's going to happen since one person can't possible have a 360 degree view of the quarterback. But the NFL should change it's replay rules so an official watching TV like you and I can call down to the ref and say "Hey Carl, the QB got facemasked on that play.".

---

AlbaNY_Ram