A better way for the Dallas Cowboys, NFL to perfect replay rules
I can’t believe the Dallas Cowboys and NFL missed an opportunity to fix instant replay rules, improve television ratings and possibly generate revenue.
The Dallas Cowboys recently joined 30 other NFL teams to vote in support of making offensive and defensive pass interference penalties reviewable by instant replay. The 31-1 vote which occurred during the NFL’s annual league meeting in Phoenix, Arizona puts the rule into effect on a one year trial basis. During the two-minute warning, the reviews will be handled by the replay official.
I’m an advocate for getting things right, but the NFL is chasing a slippery slope of officiating perfection. Instant replay hasn’t guaranteed proper decisions in sports and most of us believe it slows the game down. I have watched super slow motion replays in 4K resolution affect the outcomes of a different sport. Yes, I’m talking about the awesomeness of golf.
Former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, the most prolific passer in Cowboys history, is an avid golfer and I also enjoy the sport. According to the movie Step Brothers, that should probably make us best friends! To update members of Cowboy Nation that aren’t golfers, I have to share how instant replay infiltrated golf officiating.
There was a period in time, where Jane Doe could watch a golf tournament on television from the comfort of her own home. If an instant replay showed that a golfer’s club touched a grain of sand in a bunker or any other rules violation took place, she could call the tournament and report the violation of industry rule number 4,080. The phone call would be investigated and if proven to be correct, the golfer would be penalized. Sometimes, this changed the outcome of tournaments.
I watched many golf tournaments in hopes of being the viewer that caught golfers committing penalties. It might have helped if I knew half of the rules of golf. Eventually, the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) stopped allowing home viewers to be bootleg rules officials. In a weird way, I feel tempted to say that golf might have been on to something.
With the NFL, it’s always about revenue. The NFL is constantly seeking ways to bring spectators to the stadiums because attendance has been decreasing along with television viewership. What if the NFL took things to the next level and charged viewers to vote on instant replay challenges? It would make the NFL more popular than the early seasons of American Idol.
When there is a reviewable penalty, the NFL can cut to a three minute multi-angled replay and broadcast 1-900 numbers on the bottom of the screen. Was there defensive pass interference on this play? Dial 1-900-Mix-A-Lot and kick those nasty thoughts! Sorry, wrong number!! Wrong number!! I meant, dial 1-900-555-NoFlag for the low, low price of $1.99. The NFL might suggest texting – No Flag – to #Dallas for the same price and generate revenue from the fans in the stadiums.
This revenue stream could change the NFL’s income sources. The Cowboys would be safe because the team has the biggest fanbase in the history of the galaxy. Personally, I choose winning over being fair, so small market teams won’t stand a chance.
One disadvantage is the Cowboys secondary with cornerbacks Byron Jones and Chidobe Awuzie, free safety Xavier Woods and future Hall of Fame strong safety Jeff Heath rarely get penalized for defensive pass interference. It’s scary to think Heath could be more physical on the field, knowing Cowboy Nation will overturn interference penalties. Aggressiveness could help improve upon the nine interceptions the team had last season.
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There’s an opportunity for the NFL to profit and I can’t believe they missed it. Cowboy Nation could generate favorable results for reviewable penalties, prevent defeats and help bring that sixth Lombardi Trophy home – that’s worth $1.99 right?
#GoCowboys