Richard Sherman, who is one of the most outspoken players in the NFL, took to The MMQB to write about how he would fix NFL officiating, a hot topic across the league lately.
The Seahawks cornerback suggested four things to help fix the NFL’s officiating problem.
Sherman starts off by talking about Lance Easley, one of the officials from the infamous Fail Mary game between the Seahawks and the Packers on Monday Night Football back in 2012. Specifically, Easley was the one who signaled touchdown on the controversial game-ending play. Sherman believes that even to this day, people are too tough on Easley and officials in general. He feels this way because those most critical of officials are not truly invested like players or coaches who are paid to participate.
Sherman isn’t a fan of allowing more communication between the league office in New York and the officials on the field, because it will further extend the already long games, and risk bad communication.
So what are the four things that Sherman suggests?
The first is to simplify the rules, which seems easier said than done. In tandem with that is Sherman’s second idea – the addition an eighth official to the game, specifically one who has an extensive and thorough understanding of the complex rulebook.
The third thing, is realigning the referees:
Adding an eighth official would allow for two officials to be 20 yards off the ball, and two to be on the sidelines. The two sideline guys would start five yards off the ball and sprint with the receivers down the sideline to get the best perspective of the space between the defensive backs and the receivers. The deep officials, meanwhile, would concentrate on the safety and linebacker play.
Sherman says that it would reduce conversations that Sherman had with a referee after he was called for pass interference that the official admitted to not seeing entirely.
The fourth thing Sherman would like to see changed is an improvement of communication between the players on the field and the officials. He feels that a lack of an explanation for certain calls makes it harder to play because you can’t take the necessary steps to avoid getting flagged again.
Sherman closes out his piece saying that he himself is nitpicking the system, and that the NFL officials are the best in sports.
Many people should take note that somebody who makes his living on the field, and is directly affected by the calls, feels that everybody should relax. That says something more than anything.
[The MMQB]