ESPN: Umpires will move to offensive backfield

[dfbovey]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5016012

ORLANDO -- The NFL will permanently reposition umpires to the offensive backfield beginning with the upcoming 2010 season, in a move designed to protect its most vulnerable on-field officials, the league confirmed Sunday at the annual owners meetings.

Outgoing vice president of officiating Mike Pereira and his successor, Carl Johnson, revealed the plans Sunday in an interview. A league official added that the competition committee unanimously recommended the move last week but it had not been yet publicly announced.

The change does not require a vote of ownership and only commissioner Roger Goodell could reverse the decision.

Pereira said umpires -- who traditionally have been positioned on the defensive side, 4 or 5 yards from the line of scrimmage, just behind the linebackers and between the tackles -- were knocked down by players more than 100 times in 2009. Two umpires suffered concussions and three needed surgeries for knee or shoulder injuries.

"The No. 1 reason for change is safety," said Pereira, who retired after the 2009 season but will help Johnson with the transition through at least May 1.

Johnson said that umpires will be re-trained at the league's offseason clinics and seminars because they will carry out their responsibilities from the offensive backfield, just opposite of the referee. Pereira and Johnson both said the umpires may have to be more athletic to accomplish their tasks.

Chris Mortensen is a senior ESPN NFL analyst.

[dfbovey]

No more using the official as a pick on crossing patterns.

[skinfan2k]

I guess this would result in more holdings and less PI calls

[terrifNick21]

I guess this would result in more holdings and less PI calls

Not really. Umpires watch for holding anyway. I'm not sure they look for PI first.

[dfbovey]

I don't really think they are in much of a position to call PI when standing right next to the middle linebacker anyway. Most of the PI calls are made 20 yards down field or more.

[dsciambi]

Good move. Refs getting in the way of plays was getting old (even with how rare it was).

Also, Mike Pereira is gone? Nooooooooo!

[WhoRUSupposed2Be]

I'm not sure why they never called the Refs for PIs?!

[zoony]

I don't like this move. They stand where they stand for a reason- it's the best vantage point to make the right call.

I'd rather they put the ump in pads.

And maybe they should think twice about putting gramps out there. I mean really-

[Stugein]

I can't wait for the first WR-Ump collision on and end-around. I will lol mightily.

[darklight1216]

I don't really think they are in much of a position to call PI when standing right next to the middle linebacker anyway. Most of the PI calls are made 20 yards down field or more.

Most PI calls seem to be made based upon how loudly the receiver whines anyway, so this probably won't change much.

[pjfootballer]

I like the move. They did it in preseason last year with no flap. Didn't really notice that much of a difference. It will help with pick plays.

[Dan T.]

I guess this would result in more holdings and less PI calls

My guess is that, if anything, it will result in FEWER holding calls, since offensive lineman will have their backs to the umpire now.

[Peregrine]

If they would do a better job, players wouldn't "accidentally" hit them quite so much...

[Leonard Washington]

Remember when JC threw a frozen rope at the ref's head last season? I bet that was in the highlight package that help prompt the move.

[RichmondRedskin88]

Remember when JC threw a frozen rope at the ref's head last season? I bet that was in the highlight package that help prompt the move.

That was hilarious and it prevented a INT. Anyone have a vid of that throw?

[bikie]

I heard tim ryan, pat kirwan, and bill cowher talking about this yesterday and they all immediately said, "say good bye to zone blocking"... I wasn't able to listen closely enough to understand their reasoning, but as a skins fan, of course this was not good news... hopefully they will elaborate on the show today how this move will affect certain schemes...

[TheGreatBuzz]

I'm upset...I love seeing the zebra get nailed. There is a reason it always makes the highlight reel. Of course, it sucks when it adversely affects us but....it's worth it.