NFL needs to tweak its challenge system
The referees screwed up two calls which went against the Cowboys in the first 11 minutes of the game this evening.
Jason Garrett challenged both plays, and each was overturned.
The glaring issue with the challenge system in the NFL is that it restricts the number of times a coach can challenge a play even if the challenges continue to be correct.
Jason Garrett is awarded one extra challenge since he went 2 for 2. But even so, if he goes 3/3, he is out of challenges. In essence, the Cowboys’ chances of winning the game are decreased because the refs make incorrect calls, forcing Garrett to use up all of his challenges.
This game today has epitomized this situation since Garrett is 2 for 2 thus far, and we are only a little into the 3rd quarter.
I have been arguing this issue for quite some time. Even if the coaches are not successful on all of their challenges, if they are 1 for 2, why should they not get their successful one back?
If an officiating crew is wrong 50% of the time, the team is penalized 100% of their challenges?
I see no reason why there cannot be a review team upstairs that looks at every play. If a play is wrong, it should be corrected. Period. I don’t care if a team is out of challenges or if the play is “not reviewable.”
Every single call made on the field should be able to be corrected. This isn’t a tough concept.
At the very least, if my proposal (which is the current college system) is not implemented, a coach should continue to be able to challenge a play if he continues to make correct challenges.
If a coach wins 1 out of 2 challenges, the coach should get his one winning challenge back until he loses it with an incorrect challenge.
It won’t be long before the current illogical system is exposed. It will likely take that occurring in a big, national televised game before the system is amended.
