NFL Makes Changes That Will Take Effect For Play Offs

On Wednesday, December 16 NFL announced that there will be officiating changes that will take effect for the postseason. The changes that the NFL have made will allow the league office to play a more active and larger role and correcting potential errors made by field officials. The league office will also be able to help with administrative incidents such as proper administrative of the game clock, correct downs, the appropriate assessment of penalty yardage and any other matter. Dean Blandino , Vice President of the NFL will lead initiative from the state of New York. Dean Blandino Will not have the power to change or call a foul, nor will he be able to get himself involved in judgment calls not subject to the replay system. In the beginning of the month Dean Blandino mentioned that the average mistakes for the officiating crews are 4.3 in about 160 plays per game this season alone. Chairman of the competition committee and president of the Atlanta Falcons says that he feels "strongly about giving dean and the referee the ability to consult with each other in certain situations beyond instant replay in the playoffs. " Dean Blandino considers the weekly questionable calls statistical exception. It is said that the league will look into how officiating is manage during games more during the off-season.

NFL Looking over the Baltimore Ravens for Concussion Protocol

The NFL will be looking into the way the Baltimore Ravens handled the concussion protocol for the Ravens' quarterback Matt Schaub #8. In the 15-13 loss against the Miami Dolphins Schuab hit his head on the turf with 3 minutes left of the second quarter. After being helped of the field by referee John Parry he stayed for the remaining 3 plays of that drive. He then returned for the next series in which he threw a pick-six. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said "We review all protocols after games, we will follow up as per our normal procedures. " Only 2 weeks prier to this incident the St. Louis Rams were under investigation for keeping quarterback Case Keenum #17 in a game against the Baltimore Ravens. The NFL did not end up punishing the Rams. John Harbaugh coach of the Ravens says " our trainer went out right away and talked to him. He said he was good and he was clear in whatever the test is they gave him. Then we put him through the concussion protocol anyway and he was just screaming that he was fine and he had no issue. But our doctors grabbed him and put him through the protocol and he passed. " " doctors looked at me and came over to do their necessary test. However, everything checked out fun. " There has been increasing concern over player health. On Friday December 4th, the NFL players Association held a mandatory conference call with players about safety issues.