Episode 23: Improving gameplay through talk-to moments

On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we discussed defensive pass interference, and how two key plays differed between a flag and a no-call. We switched sides of the field to look at offensive pass interference and how receivers have used tactics to conceal their efforts to gain an advantage.

We returned to the failed trick play last week that Lions coach Dan Campbell claimed was decided in replay to debunk that theory.

Also under discussion was the officials’ involvement after the final play of the game, which this week saw Dre Greenlaw of the Broncos picking up a 1-game suspension for confronting referee Brad Allen.

And finally, we observed a situation on Sunday where referee Bill Vinovich had a discussion during a break with Jalen Carter of the Eagles, demonstrating that Carter’s tackle was exactly what the league wants defenders to do when bringing the quarterback down. This may seem a bit unorthodox to the untrained eye, but we discussed how using preventative officiating and taking advantage of these “talk-to” moments overall improve the game for the players and the fans.

Ben Austro, Mark Schultz, Cam Filipe, Chris Seubert, and Pat Weber have this week’s discussion.

Mentioned in this episode

The clips of line judge Tim Podraza addressing 49ers tight end Vernon Davis in 2014 and Vinovich’s discussion with Carter are below.

A lot of questions on offside/formation warnings. This is typically early in the game for technical or borderline violations addressed in the next stoppage. Here, LJ Tim Podraza exercises preventative officiating instead of a flag in the first quarter of a 2014 game pic.twitter.com/0UP8C3ZDFC
— Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs (@footballzebras) December 12, 2023