After Further Review: Safety is number 1 priority

Some of the officiating news items from Sunday:

• A couple of puzzling replay reviews: Mike Carey allowed a catch to stand, despite clear evidence the pass was incomplete, according to our Roundtable experts [Ben Austro, Football Zebras]. Bill Vinovich ruled a player touched a loose ball with his foot while out of bounds to reverse a fumble recovery.
• Quick calls from Week 9 [Football Zebras]
• “The No. 1 priority in the NFL today is protection from concussions. But, it’s also a fact that some officials seem to get it, while others clearly don’t.” [Mike Pereira, Fox Sports]
• Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant removed his helmet to discuss a call, “then I took my helmet off and I didn’t know that that was a penalty. I was kind of shocked and then I heard the ref say, ‘He took his helmet off.’ I know now not to take my helmet off.” [John Machotta, Dal Morn News]
• Referee Clete Blakeman accidentally awarded the Saints the coin toss (above) and was corrected by Saints captain Jonathan Vilma. [Image: Michael C. Hebert/New Orleans Saints]
• Chargers had a tight overturn on a touchdown call at the pylon. [CBS Sports]
• Fox Sports analyst (and former Broncos safety) John Lynch on a knee-targeting hit that wasn’t there: “Where are you suppose to hit him? You can’t hit him high. It’s supposed to be below the knees. That’s a good legal hit.” [Bob Raissman, NYDN]
• Apropos of what? “The Eagles are 6-7 (5-4 road) since 2000 when referee Ed Hochuli and his crew officiate their games. Hochuli’s guys called 14 penalties before seemingly shutting it down when the game turned into a rout for the Eagles” [Bob Grotz, Del Co Daily Times]
• Ravens safety James Ihedigbo on Browns receiver Greg Little: “He’s trying to be a tough guy. Some guys who aren’t tough try to prove that they’re tough.” [Jamison Hensley, ESPN]