Los Angeles Rams' Sean McVay Pushes For Officiating Changes
Officiating controversies are sadly a constant in the NFL today, and the Los Angeles Rams are at the center of one of the latest of them.
Trailing by seven late in Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Rams forced a fourth-and-one and a major decision for their opponent. Pittsburgh's choices were to either go for it to ice the game, or punt and trust its defense. The Steelers chose the former, and despite quarterback Kenny Pickett appearing to come up short, the refs gave Pittsburgh the first down. Three kneel downs later, and the Steelers walked away with a 24-17 victory.
After the game, Rams coach Sean McVay declined to comment much on the decision, saying "it doesn't matter what I think." In his appearance on the Coach McVay Show on Monday, though, McVay shared more of his true feelings on the situation. Those feelings included some harsh criticism for the league's officiating as a whole, as well as advocating for more use of the "eye in the sky" during games.
Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht tackles Pickett during Sunday's game.
© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
“I don’t see any reason why, because I don’t think it disrupts the timing of it,” McVay said. “There’s enough situations that are very clear, but there are some that are those, ‘Hey, how it looked out of the (peripheral) or where my eyes were based on the amount of stuff that I’m responsible for looking at as a snap unfolds in 4-6 seconds’ – I’m a fan of getting it right more consistently, especially if we’ve got the technology and availability. I don’t know why you wouldn’t be."
McVay didn't get too critical over the officiating, both because coaches generally don't do that and he could subject himself to fines if he did. However, his frustration over the situation is clear to see.
That wasn't the only controversial call that went against L.A. on Sunday. One play earlier, Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon received a very weak pass interference penalty. That penalty was negated due to Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson getting a taunting call, but to McVay and others, the flag should've never been thrown.
“I’ll be interested to just see what we’re seeing on the one, even when they had it as offsetting penalties," McVay said. I’m not so sure I understood that one on the third down on Ahkello. That was interesting for me to understand.”
These calls were far from the only controversial ones on Sunday, and many more will follow as the season goes on. It's clear something needs to change, and McVay is not shy about that fact.
