The world premier of the Godfather

Instant Replay, written by the Godfather

What did we do before NFL replay reviews?

I think the use of instant replay is yet another reason why the NFL is the best league. Watching the Jets/Chargers game last night and knowing that the game was decided on the field by the players. Not that the officiating was great, because it was not. But the NFL has a mechanism for correcting human error.

Take McCardell's TD catch. In full speed, it looked close and the call on the field was an incomplete pass. The replay clearly showed that he made an amazing play and was rewarded with a TD. 15 years ago, the Chargers would have needed to settle for a long FG which the 12 year old kicker would have missed.

Another big replay was the punt that the Jets downed the ball on the 2 yard line. Not only did Cotchery step out of bounds and was the first to touch the ball, but even when he brought the ball back into play, he made contact with the goal line. Instead of having to engineer a 97 yard drive, the Jets were forced to punt (which was a a foot or so from being blocked).

Another challenge brought by the booth was the Santana Moss catch in OT. This was one the officials actually got right the first time, but in such a critical juncture of the game, it is nice to know that there is a method to correct an error in judgment.

This was a playoff game and there were several big calls that were missed. We all know that they got the Barton call correct, but how about earlier in that drive when Brees threw the ball off his O lineman's helmet (Goff). Last time I checked the rulebook, that should have been illegal touching. That would have backed up the Chargers another 5 yards at that point in the drive that set up the game tying TD.

Refereeing has always been imperfect, but the NFL uses a process to correct as many errors as they can. Without replay, who knows who would have won that game. I know I would probably be writing that the players did not decide the outcome. It does delay the game and ruin momentum, but from a fan's point of view, it is a good excuse to get up and get another beer or change to ESPNews to see if Beltran signed with the Astros.

One last unrelated point on the game last night. What was the punter thinking in telling Schottenheimer that he was roughed. That caused a 15 yard penalty and gave the Jets great field position to engineer the tying TD at that time.