AFC South: Mike Pereira
Why Kevin Walter's catch was a catch
November, 15, 2010
11/15/10
7:33
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Look at the incompletion/touchdown catch decision officials in the Texans-Jaguars game were making regarding Kevin Walter in the fourth quarter and it’s easy to judge it as the same as the controversial Calvin Johnson and Arian Foster non-catches earlier this season.
What was called an incompletion on the field was reversed to an 18-yard touchdown on review.
That left former Tampa Bay and Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy saying this on NBC’s “Football Night in America:”
But the NFL’s former director officials Mike Pereira said in this column and video for Fox that he thought it was called the right way.
I understand people want it to be clear and obvious every time. But it just isn’t, and Pereira’s explanation and differentiation works for me. How about you?
What was called an incompletion on the field was reversed to an 18-yard touchdown on review.
That left former Tampa Bay and Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy saying this on NBC’s “Football Night in America:”
“We’ve been told all year that if you go to the ground, you have to maintain the catch all the way. Kevin Walter doesn’t maintain the catch all the way. He has it for a long time, but not all the way. Last week was the same thing. His teammate, Arian Foster, has the ball for a long time, but doesn’t maintain it all the way. No touchdown. Calvin Johnson has the ball for a long time, but doesn’t maintain it all the way. All year we’ve said these are not touchdowns. Now, all of a sudden, there is an exception. Well, if you hold it long enough, it’s a touchdown. I’ve coached 30 years. I don’t know what a touchdown is anymore.”
But the NFL’s former director officials Mike Pereira said in this column and video for Fox that he thought it was called the right way.
“No question this should be a touchdown. The action where Walter lost the ball was clearly after he completed the catch, and he actually seemed to be showing the officials he had maintained control.”
“The referee, Gene Steratore, who was the referee in the Lions-Bears matchup in Week 1 for the controversial Calvin Johnson play at the end of the game, made the right call again. This time there was clearly a second act, which to me, is reminiscent of a second baseman losing the ball while taking the ball out of his glove in an attempt to turn a double play. So the Texans win this challenge, but ended up losing the game on a wild Hail Mary by the Jaguars on the last play of the game.”
I understand people want it to be clear and obvious every time. But it just isn’t, and Pereira’s explanation and differentiation works for me. How about you?
Reading the coverage: State of Texans
February, 11, 2010
2/11/10
9:28
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Kyle Vanden Bosch and Dunta Robinson make appearances as best buys in this Sporting News look at defense and free agency.
Toni Monkovic looks at Mike Pereira’s stance on pass interference.
Houston Texans
No cap won’t change the Texans’ strategy, says John McClain.
Breaking down Bob McNair’s state-of-the-Texans address with Alan Burge.
Indianapolis Colts
Brian Polian is the new special teams coach at Stanford.
Tim Tebow is a perfect fit for the Colts, says Gregg Doyel. (Hat tip to John Oehser for the link.)
The Colts now turn their focus to the draft, says Oehser.
“The Indianapolis Colts, in the span of a few days -- a few seconds, actually -- have gone from one of the most-efficient, productive offenses in NFL history to a predictable offense in dire need of a change. That's the perception, anyway.” Oehser’s deep thoughts on the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Who breaks out and who breaks down for the 2010 Jaguars, asks Big Cat Country.
Tennessee Titans
Jeff Fisher says the Titans have an interest in retaining Vanden Bosch, says Gary Estwick. I can’t remember Fisher ever not saying the Titans wanted to keep a player heading toward free agency.
Toni Monkovic looks at Mike Pereira’s stance on pass interference.
Houston Texans
No cap won’t change the Texans’ strategy, says John McClain.
Breaking down Bob McNair’s state-of-the-Texans address with Alan Burge.
Indianapolis Colts
Brian Polian is the new special teams coach at Stanford.
Tim Tebow is a perfect fit for the Colts, says Gregg Doyel. (Hat tip to John Oehser for the link.)
The Colts now turn their focus to the draft, says Oehser.
“The Indianapolis Colts, in the span of a few days -- a few seconds, actually -- have gone from one of the most-efficient, productive offenses in NFL history to a predictable offense in dire need of a change. That's the perception, anyway.” Oehser’s deep thoughts on the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Who breaks out and who breaks down for the 2010 Jaguars, asks Big Cat Country.
Tennessee Titans
Jeff Fisher says the Titans have an interest in retaining Vanden Bosch, says Gary Estwick. I can’t remember Fisher ever not saying the Titans wanted to keep a player heading toward free agency.
Fisher joins dinner for officiating crew
February, 4, 2010
2/04/10
7:03
PM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Jeff Fisher just shared something I never knew: The Thursday before the Super Bowl, the NFL hosts a dinner for the all-star officiating crew that is assigned to the big game.
Fisher, who interacts with the officiating department often as co-chair of the powerful competition committee, has been here to work for the NFL Network and will be at the dinner Thursday.
It’s the final such evening for the director of officiating, Mike Pereira, who is retiring and will be replaced by Carl Johnson.
“They’ll probably be something special for Mike,” Fisher said. “I think he’s done a tremendous job. I say this over and over. Coaches on Mondays either win or lose games. He loses every Monday, it’d be hard on him, that’s how it is.
“I don’t think people around the league realize how hard he works to try to achieve some consistency and to maintain consistency in the grading system and everything that’s involved in his job. People on the committee happen to have a better understanding because we work with him during the offseason.”
It’s cool that the league does the dinner for the Super Bowl crew.
Here’s the list of those who’ll be featured guests:
Referee Scott Green, umpire Undrey Wash, head linesman John McGrath, line judge Jeff Seeman, field judge Rob Vernatchi, side judge Greg Meyer and back judge Greg Steed. The replay assistant is Jim Lapetina and the video operator is Jim Pearson.
Fisher, who interacts with the officiating department often as co-chair of the powerful competition committee, has been here to work for the NFL Network and will be at the dinner Thursday.
It’s the final such evening for the director of officiating, Mike Pereira, who is retiring and will be replaced by Carl Johnson.
“They’ll probably be something special for Mike,” Fisher said. “I think he’s done a tremendous job. I say this over and over. Coaches on Mondays either win or lose games. He loses every Monday, it’d be hard on him, that’s how it is.
“I don’t think people around the league realize how hard he works to try to achieve some consistency and to maintain consistency in the grading system and everything that’s involved in his job. People on the committee happen to have a better understanding because we work with him during the offseason.”
It’s cool that the league does the dinner for the Super Bowl crew.
Here’s the list of those who’ll be featured guests:
Referee Scott Green, umpire Undrey Wash, head linesman John McGrath, line judge Jeff Seeman, field judge Rob Vernatchi, side judge Greg Meyer and back judge Greg Steed. The replay assistant is Jim Lapetina and the video operator is Jim Pearson.
Reading the coverage: Inside Manning's helmet
November, 12, 2009
11/12/09
9:58
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky
The Sporting News’ midseason All-Pro Team.
Houston Texans
The Sporting News’ midseason All-Pro Team.
Houston Texans
- Several Texans are tackling the TV and radio games, says David Barron.
- A replay of John McClain’s chat.
- Alan Burge wasn’t satisfied with Mike Pereira’s explanation of the Ryan Moats fumble play and challenge.
- Sport Illustrated’s cover story, where Peter King tries to get inside Peyton Manning’s helmet.
- The Colts added cornerback Anthony Madison to help with depth, says Mike Chappell.
- New England will mix things up, writes Phil Richards.
- Dwight Freeney’s enjoying chasing a record, says Michael Marot.
- Tom Brady is back to himself, says Mike Chappell.
- Manning says the Patriots are as good as they’ve ever been, writes John Oehser.
- A year removed from their knee injuries, Manning and Brady are ready to square off again, says Larry Hawley.
- Mutual respect abounds, says Tom James.
- A Q&A with Dallas Clark on the team’s Web site.
- Bryan Smith will start at defensive end in front of Quentin Groves as the Jaguars continue to look for solutions up front, says Vito Stellino.
- A loss to the Jets would drop the Jaguars behind a big cluster of teams fighting for playoff spots, says Michael C. Wright.
- It’s a two-minute league, says Vic Ketchman.
- Breaking down the offense’s struggles in the red zone, with Jonathan Loesche.
- William Hayes is making strides, says Gary Estwick.
- Good stuff from Chris Johnson on having a big year during a bad season, from Jim Wyatt.
- Johnson had lunch with Faith Hill, says Terry McCormick.
- Rod Hood’s play gives Nick Harper more recovery time, says Wyatt. With Hood playing well, does Jeff Fisher stick with his usual practice and go back to Harper when he’s ready?
- Buffalo will have Trent Edwards back at quarterback.
- Terrell Owens may not play against the Titans.
Pereira runs through Moats' fumble, controversy
November, 12, 2009
11/12/09
9:00
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky
Here’s a link to NFL Network’s spot with Mike Pereira, VP of NFL Officiating, explaining how officials sorted out the Ryan Moats fumble review in Indianapolis Sunday.
There has been a lot written and said from the Houston point of view suggesting there was definitive evidence that the ball hit Antoine Bethea while he was out of bounds.
My feeling was that it was awfully hard to be so definitive about that piece of it, and I thought it was sorted out correctly.
Pereira said the officiating department “could never find a shot that showed on TV that it touched one of the players while they were out of bounds.
What do you think?
Wild guess: Colts fans will be fine with it, Texans fans will object.
Here’s a link to NFL Network’s spot with Mike Pereira, VP of NFL Officiating, explaining how officials sorted out the Ryan Moats fumble review in Indianapolis Sunday.
There has been a lot written and said from the Houston point of view suggesting there was definitive evidence that the ball hit Antoine Bethea while he was out of bounds.
My feeling was that it was awfully hard to be so definitive about that piece of it, and I thought it was sorted out correctly.
Pereira said the officiating department “could never find a shot that showed on TV that it touched one of the players while they were out of bounds.
What do you think?
Wild guess: Colts fans will be fine with it, Texans fans will object.
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