I've got 99 problems that FOX is among
I've got more than just some issues with contemporary football broadcasts. I've got some solutions to replay reviews, NFL spin doctoring and "Rocky" references. Let's go!
I’m not going to come on here and complain about the way Sunday’s conference championship games were officiated. That’s not because I think the officiating was good. It’s because there are plenty of people ennumerating those problems all across the Internet on this Monday. Additionaly, I think the biggest problem with the officiating is not the quality of the officials but the ever-increasing number of things those officials are being held responsible for.
And as someone who understands the value of solutions-oriented journalism, I want to do more than just whine. I’ve got three (3) things that Big Football could do to improve the viewing product immediately that require nothing other than an understanding of how some of the broadcast practices are impacting the league’s primary customer, which is the one watching from home.
I. Stop going to commercial during replay reviews
As long as replay reviews are part of professional football, it is an absolute crime against TV-viewing humanity to cut to commercial while that replay review is underway. It should be punishable by caning. I want to see the different angles as the ref is under the hood. I want to form my own opinion of what I think it shows and what I think the call can be. Sure, you can even bring in someone who used to be an official to explain his perspective while we wait for the official to tromp out on the field, look up at the on-field camera and say, “After further review …” This is the FUN part of instant replay, and it’s being taken from us.