BB on OPI officiating

[Fencer]

Bill Belichick goes deep on what’s a catch, what’s not, why NFL is getting it right

Sounds distressingly like Robert Kraft.

“The one thing I’d say really has been cleaned up this year that’s much better than it’s been than I can ever remember is the offensive interference calls. They’ve really tightened up on those and I think the consistency has been really good. Certainly, we’ve had our share of them called. We’ve also had some called when we were on defense. But I think the consistency in that area has gotten a lot better.”

The rest of the article is about his views on what is or isn't a catch. He basically said:

• Either there will be a lot of catch-plus-fumble plays ...
• ... or there will be a lot of incompletions that were arguably catches.
• The league thinks the former is worse than the latter ...
• ... and BB agrees.

I don't see anything wrong with him taking the league's side on that issue.

 

[Sicilian]

I'm willing to bet BB has a lot of respect for the refs because he knows how hard it is to evaluate a play even on a broad level in real time, never mind have to figure out something really precise. That's why he's such a film study nut, because he knows he'd never be able to grade his own players if he had to rely on what he saw during the game.

But even if he disagreed with everything or thought the refs were terrible, he's smart enough to know that publicly calling them out would just make things harder for him on Sundays.

 

[everlong]

The league could clean up the what is/isn't a catch pretty easily.

If a player:

1. Has control and takes three steps it's a catch.
2. Has control and takes two steps and dives forward to pick up a first down or gain the goal line it's a catch as an active football move.
3. If a player gets two feet down but doesn't maintain control it's not a catch.
4. If a player gets two feet down and a defender knocks the ball away it's not a catch.

In scenario one or two if the player fumbles while upright and contacted by a defender or fumbles hitting the ground without being previously touched it's a live ball. Yes fumbles go up as do catches which are both more exciting than incompletions. The borderline catches stay as is. Even going out of bounds if the player takes three steps in bounds that's clear control and if he loses it going out it's still a catch.

All of these rules would be clear cut and keep the refs from judgement calls which is really what the league wants, as should we they all suck.

 

[SVN]

Bill Belichick goes deep on what’s a catch, what’s not, why NFL is getting it right

Sounds distressingly like Robert Kraft.


The rest of the article is about his views on what is or isn't a catch. He basically said:

• Either there will be a lot of catch-plus-fumble plays ...
• ... or there will be a lot of incompletions that were arguably catches.
• The league thinks the former is worse than the latter ...
• ... and BB agrees.

I don't see anything wrong with him taking the league's side on that issue.

He isnt taking the league's side. He is just not taking the pats fans side .Just saying what he thinks is right . Nothing like robert kraft. And not the first time he has commended the OPI intepretation this year.

 

[JDot]

Whole interview is pretty good.

 

[fnordcircle]

Sounds distressingly like Robert Kraft.

I swear to God some of you seem to act like that if Belichick doesn't make fart noises every time someone brings up something relating to the league in a Press Conference that he's somehow a goddamn nazi sympathizer.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Some understand politics, some don't. Like it or not BB does....

 

[oldrover]

Whole interview is pretty good.

These out of market interviews really bring out the best in him. Of course, it's a substantive interview, so that helps. But unlike the mandatory interviews and pressers he does in New England, he's not on his guard against the Boston media-tards.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

The league could clean up the what is/isn't a catch pretty easily.

If a player:

1. Has control and takes three steps it's a catch.
2. Has control and takes two steps and dives forward to pick up a first down or gain the goal line it's a catch as an active football move.
3. If a player gets two feet down but doesn't maintain control it's not a catch.
4. If a player gets two feet down and a defender knocks the ball away it's not a catch.

In scenario one or two if the player fumbles while upright and contacted by a defender or fumbles hitting the ground without being previously touched it's a live ball. Yes fumbles go up as do catches which are both more exciting than incompletions. The borderline catches stay as is. Even going out of bounds if the player takes three steps in bounds that's clear control and if he loses it going out it's still a catch.

All of these rules would be clear cut and keep the refs from judgement calls which is really what the league wants, as should we they all suck.

Define "control", "has control", and "maintains control". Those sound like words that mean the ref has to make a judgement.

Also, one reason we are where we are is because of the Burt Emanuel play (Top Ten Controversial Calls: Burt Emanuel's catch - NFL Videos). Under the rules of the day it was not a catch because the ball touched the ground. So when they changed the rules to allow touching the ground to not cause an incompletion that opened a whole host of problems because now they had to define what was too much touching the ground, when the ball could touch the ground, etc.

 

[everlong]

Define "control", "has control", and "maintains control". Those sound like words that mean the ref has to make a judgement.

Those problems exist now so the rules changes I propose don't change that.

 

[BTTA]

I'm willing to bet BB has a lot of respect for the refs because he knows how hard it is to evaluate a play even on a broad level in real time, never mind have to figure out something really precise. That's why he's such a film study nut, because he knows he'd never be able to grade his own players if he had to rely on what he saw during the game.

But even if he disagreed with everything or thought the refs were terrible, he's smart enough to know that publicly calling them out would just make things harder for him on Sundays.

So, Koma, what's to disagree with here?

 

[1960Pats]

I'm going to go way out on a limb here and trust that Bill knows what he's talking about when it comes to these calls. He's no Dean Blandino though.

 

[Tony2046]

Whole interview is pretty good.

Funny how he threw in how his Dad met his Mother.

 

[jah]

So some of you guys would rather he burned some bridges with the individuals responsible for making crucial decisions about the outcome of his season/career? To prove he's not a "wuss" or whatever it is some of you love to say when someone gets fined for a late hit?

 

[venecol]

Some understand politics, some don't. Like it or not BB does....

He's just being smart but on the OPI just last night, receiver clearly pushes DB away, no flag. These refs are just not consistent at all is the problem.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Stepford Belichick?

Actually, OPI has been cleared up because they've had to send so much film to the league office to get explanations on what they consider OPI and how the refs are officiating it. It's been consistent. Consistently called against Gronk . He implies that he is agreeing with them, but you know BB...he's always a few steps ahead.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

He's just being smart but on the OPI just last night, receiver clearly pushes DB away, no flag. These refs are just not consistent at all is the problem.

Agreed and in this instance politics and smart are synonymous. BB can't possibly believe PI/OPI officiating is better this year considering just the epidemic of calls on Gronk that have been otherwise league wide SOP for TEs of Gronk's skillset. But what does it get for BB to call out the refs? Best to give the refs generic props for the difficult job they perform (which in general is a true statement) and hope it it pays a small dividend at some point down the line.

I recall a video where a sideline ref says to BB (paraphrasing): 'You guys are the best' (referring to the coaches/players sideline etiquette and/or sideline rule observation -- if my memory recalls properly). I just don't see anything good that can come of dampening that sentiment. As shocking as this may sound, enough ref lip service may actually/eventually get scumbag Blandino's main eye a bit trending to someone else/some other team. It sucks that is what it is but that is what it is when this league can roam the halls of power with virtual impunity. But as long as we can get through the POs without being in a late game position for the league's coaxing to effect the outcome, hopefully! next season and/or as seasons go by they will be looking to put the horse's head in someone else's bed.