"Official" Commentary

Over the last couple of weeks we have heard lots of fuss about all the flags flying at NFL stadiums. I'm not talking "Old Glory", I'm talking those little yellow rags the officials toss at offending players.

One unhappy person last week was the Saints' Jim Haslett. Coach Haslett was fined 20K for his comments about the officiating in the Saints game against the Falcons. A defensive holding call allowed the Falcons to try the kick again and win the game.

What gets me is that you always hear people say that "the ref's shouldn't make those calls - that they should let the guys play."

These guys are the finest football players on the planet. Many are paid millions of dollars over their career. Most have been playing since they were 8 years old. Do you think that anybody during that time might have showed them how to block? Do you think they have any drills where they practice blocking? Yes, of course.

So the next time you see somebody ruin his team's chances of winning by being a blockhead - don't blame the official. A penalty is a penalty - no matter when it occurs. If you don't want to be called for holding, then don't.

Others will tell you that "holding" can be called on every play. That's simply an easy excuse for sloppy play - and even if true, simply represents a "Russian roulette" that the players play at their own risk.

The only true demands one can have of officials is:

1. That they know the rules
2. That they apply them consistently

Leave the ref's alone! Hold the players accountable for playing by the rules - because a game without rules is called "recess."