Should refs help prevent penalties?

[LinvilleGorge]

I don't mind it at lower levels of competition, but by the time you get to the pros, the refs should be there to ref, period.  Honestly, I'd argue the same for high level college ball as well.  There's just way too much gray area here where shenanigans can be called.  This is a perfect example.  On a play that very well could've resulted in a penalty and a more realistic 53 yard FG, a player gets a hand from the ref and the result is a blocked FG and a loss for the Jets.

[panthers90]

This usually just happens on field goals. Remember a couple years back they changed the rule where you can't line up directly in front of the long snapper? So since it's a new rule, I don't mind the refs helping players out.

[Stickman2]

Remember the Snow Plow game....................   New England

[PandaPancake]

I look at it like this. The refs don't want to drag out the game anymore than they have to. Why not stop someone from committing a penalty

[Kuhndog94]

Remember the Snow Plow game.................... New England

That was straight home cookin'.

[csx]

I see both sides of it. However, if the rule is strictly for player safety and due to the reality that it's based upon a lineup that happens from a stopped clock it would be pointless to let the just watch the play occur and allow the potential injury to happen.  He was going to make or miss regardless of that guy being re-positioned.

[Sapper]

If all refs were equally fair then I'm okay with it.

It's on coaching for sure, but I'd feel daily hindsight if he left Hightower as positioned and someone got a really bad injury.

[Mr. Scot]

In most cases, it's considered the player's responsibility to know the rules and abide by them. It's also the responsibility of coaches to teach what and what not to do. This includes issues that impact player safety (chop blocks, etc).

Ideally, the ref's job is enforcement, not education.

So why would that not apply here?

[4Corners]

If they are going to do it - they HAVE to do it everytime. Which they wont. Big surprise it helped the Patriots and their ratings machine Tom Brady. 

[csx]

In most cases, it's considered the player's responsibility to know the rules and abide by them. It's also the responsibility of coaches to teach what and what not to do. This includes issues that impact player safety (chop blocks, etc).

Ideally, the ref's job is enforcement, not education.

So why would that not apply here?

Because it's a rule based on safety and it can prevented before it has a chance to happen.

 

Refs can't anticipate a chop block and run out there and guide people around. This is a unique situation.

[csx]

If they are going to do it - they HAVE to do it everytime. Which they wont. Big surprise it helped the Patriots and their ratings machine Tom Brady. 

 

How did it make the Jet's kicker miss?

 

edit......duh...it was blocked...nevermind

[AceBoogie]

In most cases, it's considered the player's responsibility to know the rules and abide by them. It's also the responsibility of coaches to teach what and what not to do. This includes issues that impact player safety (chop blocks, etc).

Ideally, the ref's job is enforcement, not education.

So why would that not apply here?

Like many others have said, it can be a safety issue. If a ref believes a would be penalty poses a safety risk then it's his obligation as a human being to stop it. Not that big of deal to me.

[Mr. Scot]

Because it's a rule based on safety and it can prevented before it has a chance to happen.

Refs can't anticipate a chop block and run out there and guide people around. This is a unique situation.

But there's no guarantee someone would get injured, and preventing someone from committing a penalty can affect the outcome of a game.

If a ref can, by action or inaction, sway the result of a game, is this not an integrity issue?

[AdamL]

Replace refs with drones!!!