Hey Andy. All of that is understood. I'm talking about the game from a fan's perspective, so that's why my point is slanted so far to one side. I do understand the challenges and I do understand that part of it is player safety and part of it is the NFL wants to stop getting sued.
However, these blown calls are affecting the outcome of games. What happens if a call like that gets made in a playoff game, or worse, the SB and it costs that team the game? That just isn't right. These guys work too hard to put themselves in a position to win games. Their very lives depend on how well they play and produce. There needs to be a better way to officiate these kinds of plays. Maybe replay is the only way. I don't know how I feel about it personally, other than to say I'm willing to deal with whatever the league does to better this situation so that plays like the Browner play, which was a solid hit in every way, don't get called and points don't get taken off of the board. What if Ayers never intercepted the pass a few plays later? Maybe SD drives down and scores. A loss there would have meant that the Pats lose home-field. As a fan, I don't think any one of us would have been too pleased.
I do completely understand, and even agree for the most part, with what you're saying. It is a tough situation. This is why I believe we are seeing the beginning of the demise of football as we know it. I hate to think of a day when I no longer care about the sport, perhaps when Brady and BB and Gronk and Wilfork are all gone. But that's what I fear will happen if things continue to progress this way. Much luv and respect, Andy.