Bobref

“Some” probably would agree. Some would not. For the most part, if the Mercy Rule is invoked, the kids still play hard. It’s just not necessarily the same kids, and they don’t play quite as long.

You hear the TV guys say “the ground can’t cause a fumble.” Basically, they have it right for once.

What is the dead ball foul that has supposedly been committed?

We’ve all been there.

Clearly, the ruling by the covering official is that the runner was down by forward progress before the ball came out. That is supportable on this clip. Had it been ruled a fumble and a recovery, that would also be supportable. This is just one of those judgment calls that gets made all the time ... and is always controversial. Can”t tell from the brief clip whether the crew handled it correctly from a mechanics standpoint. But I have no issue with the call itself.

I said “more likely” rather than “certainly,” which of course leaves open the possibility of crew error. I was speaking from my own experience as to which explanation had the higher probability. I’ll stand by that.

That would be terrific. Although I don’t suppose you can hear a whistle in the video.

Hearing a number of reports of how the Mercy Rule May have been incorrectly administered as far as timing goes. We did use the rule in the game I saw Friday night. The crew did a great job with it ... except for one thing. The R did not include mercy rule timing procedures in his pregame discussion with the clock operator. Every school in the state got a sheet of timing instructions from the IHSAA to provide to the clock operators. But you can’t depend on that. Because, judging from my game experience, the clock operator either never saw it, or didn’t understand it.

Love to hear some specifics on this one.

Care to elaborate with some specifics?

One positive aspect of the mercy rule — at least, from my viewpoint — we won’t have the endless debates on the GID about whether someone ran up the score on someone else.

More likely, an error by the clock operator. Here are proper clock mechanics for the mercy rule: If at the halftime break, or anytime following, the score differential is 35 or more, the game clock will run continually, stopping only for scores, time outs, or injuries. The only person to stop the clock during application of the mercy rule is the Referee (White Hat). Following a touchdown, the clock will run through the PAT. Following the PAT, the Referee will stop the game clock. The continuous clock will resume at the ensuing kickoff with the kick. Normally, on a free kick, the game clock does not start until the kick is touched by the receivers. While the Mercy Rule is in effect, however, on a free kick the game clock will start as soon as the ball is kicked. Following a successful Field Goal attempt, the Referee will stop the game clock. The continuous game clock will resume at the ensuing kickoff and the game clock will continue to run. Following a safety, the Referee will stop the game clock. The continuous game clock will resume at the ensuing kickoff and the clock will continue to run.

And good luck to the third team on the field!

Yes, I had a very good view of the back of Desmond Tardy’s uniform as it was disappearing in the distance ... repeatedly.

I also think the Cowboys extending Jaylon was a shot across Zeke’s bow.

As it turned out, he was fortunate that he was drafted in the second round, rather than the first. So, the Cowboys only had control of him for 4 years instead of 5. And they’re saving the franchise tag for Zeke.

With all the talk about contract extensions swirling around the Dallas Cowboys, I find it interesting that the first contract they extend is that of Indiana’s own Jaylon Smith. He’s played every game in the last two seasons after sitting out his rookie year with the horrific injury suffered in the Fiesta Bowl. I watched him several times last season, and I think this kid is going to be a superstar in the league for years to come. The Cowboys apparently think so, too. He’s now under contract for the next 5 years. It’s a five-year extension worth $64 million ($35.5 million guaranteed). The extension makes Smith the third-highest paid inside linebacker in the league, after the Seattle Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner and New York Jets’ C.J. Mosley. Just a great kid all the way around, and I think he’s going to have a breakout season coming up. Perhaps some new uniforms or something coming up for Luers? https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/cowboys/2019/08/20/jaylon-smith-contract-dallas-cowboys-extension-dak-prescott-ezekiel-elliott/2064890001/

Well, the goal of the scrimmages is to help round into mid-season form quickly. Coaches, too. 😅😂🤣

😄😀🤪😜 ummm. No.

Except when the coach asks for a measurement, and you’d really like to give it to him for public relations reasons. But then you have to explain to him that a measurement wouldn’t do any good, because you don’t have a shadow line on which to put the clip. That’s especially pleasant when it’s the visiting coach who thinks he has a first down, and you don’t think so.

For scrimmages, in my experience the coaches are on the field, behind their respective units, more often than not.

You can’t beat the Redding Study Guide for rules. As far as mechanics, the Referee Training Center has lots of great materials, the best of which, IMO, is Best Practices Of Officiating for High School Football DVD by Bill Lemmonier. Go to https://store.referee.com/football. Your NASO membership gets you a 20% discount.

Is it time for the IHSAA to take over, and centralize, the game assigning process? Something I’m sure the IHSAA wants no part of.