[DaFace]

Originally Posted by ElGringo

I would respectfully disagree with this. If everyone knew the officials were allowing the WR's and CB's to "play on"...it would risk injury to either of those positions as one could take an illegal hit that the regular refs would call. I use this as an example as it was brought up in the broadcast of today's game. I don't believe it is really happening, but do see how it could be perceived that way, and open the players to a more dangerous situation.

But there's no evidence to support that that's actually happening. The replacements have called more PI calls than the "average."

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/84...ular-refs-same

The perception seems to be flags are flying indiscriminately. And yet:

• The average number of penalties per game is down from 15.2 to 14.7.

• On player-safety calls, such as roughing the passer; unnecessary roughness, including hitting defenseless players; and face-mask or horse-collar violations, the calls are nearly even: 75 this year, 74 last.

• Instant replay reviews are way up, an increase of 16. But the percentage of reversals is way down: 23 this year out of 62 as opposed to 21 of 46 in 2011.

• Defensive pass interference and illegal contact penalties are up, but only from 48 to 51, surprising because of the hubbub raised on the airwaves about the lack of such calls.