
The Ravens-Chargers game last night had a pivotal moment when a pass interference call was nullified.
Joshua Palmer, a receiver with the Chargers, appeared to come into more than casual touch with Ravens defensive back Brandon Stephens. The flag was thrown by the official who was only a few feet away from the scene. The flag was raised following a caucus.
Referee Carl Cheffers provided no explanation, during or after the game. There was speculation on the broadcast that the pass was deemed to be uncatchable. But that wasn’t mentioned by Cheffers.
Seeing something that the official with the closest perspective missed is one thing for an official on the opposite side of the field. In this instance, the official with the closest view was convinced to reconsider after seeing something different.
It’s imperative that it be clarified when that occurs. It must also be clarified in a post-game pool report if it isn’t mentioned during the game.
Reports on pools are provided upon request. The procedure must be requested by one of the reporters that are at the game. It doesn’t occur if it isn’t asked.
However, why do reporters not get access to referees following each game? Not all the crew members. Only the referee. This gives interested reporters a chance to go through their notes and ask any questions that might be pertinent.
The NFL should cease hiding referees in this era of widely legalized gambling. They must be accessible to defend and explain their choices. or their choices that turned out to be different choices.
The most serious penalty in the game is for interfering with a defensive pass. In one instant, a vast quantity of field position can change. The Chargers would have moved from the Baltimore 48 to within five points last night. Rather, it was fourth and eighteen for the Chargers.
With over six minutes remaining and three timeouts remaining, the Chargers could have reduced a 14-point deficit to seven points if the penalty flag hadn’t been raised.
Cheffers could not just say that there was no foul for pass interference because the situation was too significant. At that time, everyone needed to hear more. Additionally, a pool report following the game was necessary for everyone to hear more.
The game must adopt that level of transparency as a norm.