Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 19, 1992 TAG: 9203190091
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PHOENIX LENGTH: Medium
After five years of barely surviving by the minimum votes needed, replay was shelved for the 1992 season when it fell four votes short of the 21 needed from the 28 teams.
Upon further review by the NFL office, which will begin immediately, it could be reinstituted with changes as early as 1993. But for now, it's gone, generating the same emotions on its demise as it did during its existence.
"I perceive it as stupidity on the part of our league," said Jim Finks, president of the New Orleans Saints and chairman of the rules-making competition committee. That body had approved replay by a 4-3 margin after voting against it last year.
"I think it's a step backward for the National Football League," Finks said. "I think we're going to regret the day we voted it down and I think we'll have it back in. It's been a real tool that other sports would like to have."
Opponents didn't see it that way.
"In theory instant replay is great. In practice it stinks," Philadelphia Eagles owner Norman Braman said.
"I think we brought the human element back to the game," said Ralph Wilson, owner of the Buffalo Bills, another of the 11 teams to vote against it. "The officials on the field are part of it and I think we gave them a vote of confidence."
Instant replay was first instituted for the 1986 season after being pushed for years by Tex Schramm, former president of the Dallas Cowboys and Finks' predecessor as head of the competition committee. It was approved then for a year by the minimum 21 votes.
But calls were uneven and delays annoyed players and fans. Replay barely survived through five more years as Schramm and commissioners Pete Rozelle and Paul Tagliabue pushed for renewal.
This year though, neither Tagliabue, Finks nor any other of the strong proponents could save it, even in the face of highly visible correct calls. In January's Super Bowl, replay negated a touchdown catch by Washington's Art Monk.
"I think they're going to be more embarrassed than ever next year, because you're going to have some obviously wrong calls that could be overturned in 10 seconds and they're going to make the difference in games," ABC announcer Al Michaels said. "I think that's more deplorable than a two-minute delay that alters the flow of the game. The idea is to get it right, and they lost sight of that."
Miami coach Don Shula, co-chairman of the competition committee, noted that of 90 reversals last season, 81 were shown in a postseason review to have been correct.
"That's five times each week that we corrected something that otherwise would have been wrong," Shula said.
But opponents had their arguments and they eventually prevailed.
"I think people were concerned by delays," said Cleveland owner Art Modell, one of those who voted for it.
Coach Jimmy Johnson of the Dallas Cowboys, who voted against it, cited a call in his team's loss to the New York Giants this year when a pass that appeared on replay to be dropped by Emmitt Smith was ruled a fumble. It was recovered by New York and led to a touchdown.
"I don't see the point of it," Johnson said. "If that's going to happen, you might as well accept the call on the field and get on with business. It was interesting. I like the concept, but it's just too controversial until it's improved."
Tagliabue and league officials, meanwhile, immediately adopted a neutral position.
Jerry Seeman, the supervisor of officials, said he had heard of no instances where officials on the field felt hesitant because replay was watching.
"It certainly never bothered me in the five years I worked games with it," said Seeman, who retired as a referee to take the supervisor's job before last season.
"I thought it was a plus for the NFL," Tagliabue said. "But my feeling is we'll still go ahead and have the greatest game in America."
Television officials were surprised by the decision.
"I thought instant replay was here to stay, but we've maintained from the beginning that it was an NFL issue, not a television issue," said Ted Shaker, the executive producer of CBS Sports.
by CNB