The NFL Competition Committee unanimously recommended a limited adjustment to officiating procedures during the 2015 playoffs, and Commissioner Roger Goodell has approved the changes, according to a tweet from NFL reporter Ian Rapoport that can be seen below.
The @NFL announces officiating changes for the postseason. They are spelled out here pic.twitter.com/s06WBpnxWc
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 16, 2015
The major change that will occur during this upcoming postseason will allow the referee on the field to be in contact with the NFL's Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino in order to ensure the correct application of the rules in specific situations.
The adjustments to officiating procedures were released in a statement by the league.
"For the 2015 postseason, consultation may occur between the Referee and the VP of Officiating or his designee located in the league's officiating headquarters in New York regarding the correct application of playing rules. In addition to the VP of officiating's current role in Instant Replay, this consultation will only include appropriate assessment of penalty yardage, the proper administration of the game clock, the correct down, or any other administrative matter not currently reviewable. This will not include the ability to call or change a foul, or otherwise become involved in on-field judgment calls that are not subject to the current Instant Replay system."
This change could have a major impact on the upcoming playoffs, but will aid the current referees in making the correct call on the field.
"The committee feels strongly that giving the referee and Dean the ability to consult with each other in certain situations beyond instant replay will further support officiating in the playoffs," said NFL Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay, via Rapoport's Twitter account.
While these changes can have a major impact on a game situation, the fact that penalties can't be reviewed or changed leaves the referees with plenty of responsibility during the most crucial games of the year.
