Dean Blandino says NFL are considering adding eighth official
Friday 4 November 2016 10:06, UK
Following the complaints by Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton that he wasn't receiving enough protection, the NFL's head of officiating has said the league are entertaining the possibility of increasing the number of referees at each game.
Newton announced in his press conference that he wanted to speak to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, following a number of late hits in the Panthers' 30-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
"It's really taking the fun out of the game for me," Newton said. "Honestly, it really is. Because, at times, I don't even feel safe.
"I can't just keep accepting, 'Oh, we missed that one,' or, 'I apologise for doing that,' or, 'I didn't see it.'"
Reports suggest that Newton and Goodell spoke on the phone shortly after the press conference, though the content of the call is unknown.
Blandino announced that under the current system, where seven officials are present, there is a 'transition period' where officials could miss a late hit. Introducing another referee would remove some of the responsibilities to allow more of a focus on the quarterback.
"The referee has to start on the left tackle on passing plays, so he's going to look across and watch but anytime there's a threat to the quarterback, they have to leave that tackle and go to the quarterback. So there is a transitional period and sometimes if we don't get to the quarterback in time we may miss a hit.
"You have seven officials and you have twenty-two players so you can't just focus on one area. It's something that we're looking at."
There was also talk of extending the role of instant replays to cover roughing the passer penalties. Blandino said this was "a definite possibility", having been "discussed at length".
