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Looks like more ways for Blandino to rig things...
Why the NFL will swap officials regularly in 2016
Among the topics discussed at the recent NFL officiating clinic was a plan to swap officials from their crews based on a given week's lineup of games. The approach was visible on two occasions last season as the league battled a series of high-profile mistakes, and it will become a regular, if not frequent, part of officiating life in 2016.
"We're just trying to get the best seven officials on the field for every game," vice president of officiating Dean Blandino said, using words that sound familiar to anyone who has heard an NFL coach speak.
Blandino said he will make changes based on "matchups and things that we see." Sources gathered at the clinic said they expected the league to minimize the presence of inexperienced officials in high-profile games. The policy also would allow Blandino to swap out officials who make a public mistake, ensuring that they don't work a nationally televised game the ensuing week, as he did last season after back judge Greg Wilson missed an illegal bat penalty in Week 4.
Finally, Blandino acknowledged that crew chemistry could play a factor. He might decide, for example, that a referee and umpire -- who work together closely -- should be split up. The same goes for the head linesman and side judge, who work the same sideline.
Why the NFL will swap officials regularly in 2016