Clearly the lack of communication was botched on this play but the silver lining is that this may be the play that alters the replay rule and hopefully allows for every play to be subject to a coach's challenge (maximum 2).
What's interesting about this play and I have heard some posters argue this point is the receiver appeared to grab the defender's face mask which brings up an interesting scenario.
Let's assume for a moment that after this play was called (non called), Detroit issues a challenge and that challenge is specifically that there was PI on the play. They review the play and they determine that there was in fact PI. Can Dallas then challenge that there was facemasking on the Lion and this resulting in offsetting infractions? I believe they should be allowed this opportunity assuming of course they still have 1 challenge remaining.
But what if the play happens in the final 2 minutes and under current rules, all plays are reviewable. Does the league look at the entire play and every facet of it? What if they saw holding by an Olinemen? How long would it take to review the entire play?
I don't like the idea of the league deciding to review plays in the final 2 minutes where they see fit. Limit this to possession or scoring plays only so no league review for a close completion/incompletion. This would need to be initiated by a team.
More than anything, having an opportunity to review the play and explain to the audience what the decision is gives the league a chance to get it right. What's making things even worse for the league now is the network has a former official who often calls it differently (like yesterday) based on viewing the replay which further magnifies the controversy and frankly undermines the credibility of the on field officials and unfairly so since they don't have the benefit of replay.
I don't think there is a perfect resolution to this but surely there is an opportunity to discuss and consider a modification of the current rule.
What's interesting about this play and I have heard some posters argue this point is the receiver appeared to grab the defender's face mask which brings up an interesting scenario.
Let's assume for a moment that after this play was called (non called), Detroit issues a challenge and that challenge is specifically that there was PI on the play. They review the play and they determine that there was in fact PI. Can Dallas then challenge that there was facemasking on the Lion and this resulting in offsetting infractions? I believe they should be allowed this opportunity assuming of course they still have 1 challenge remaining.
But what if the play happens in the final 2 minutes and under current rules, all plays are reviewable. Does the league look at the entire play and every facet of it? What if they saw holding by an Olinemen? How long would it take to review the entire play?
I don't like the idea of the league deciding to review plays in the final 2 minutes where they see fit. Limit this to possession or scoring plays only so no league review for a close completion/incompletion. This would need to be initiated by a team.
More than anything, having an opportunity to review the play and explain to the audience what the decision is gives the league a chance to get it right. What's making things even worse for the league now is the network has a former official who often calls it differently (like yesterday) based on viewing the replay which further magnifies the controversy and frankly undermines the credibility of the on field officials and unfairly so since they don't have the benefit of replay.
I don't think there is a perfect resolution to this but surely there is an opportunity to discuss and consider a modification of the current rule.