Playoff time in the National Football League always brings up more questions about rules than answers.

One question in particular concerns the rules covering coaches’ calls for replay review of plays during the game.

Each coach is allowed to ask for review of three plays, and each request must be made prior to the start of the subsequent play.

If review of the play in question proves the coach was correct, his team is not charged a timeout.

If the referee, after reviewing the play, finds the call made on the field was correct, a timeout is charged to the team requesting the review.

The fan asked why each coach was still limited to three review requests, even though his request might have been proven correct.

My NFL-knowledgeable contacts explain the only way team owners would agree to reinstate play review was to limit the number of reviews which could take place during a game.

It was felt that a balance needed to be reached between the value of review to fairness and the risk of extending playing time beyond where it is today.

Remember during the last two minutes of a game only the replay official in the press box can call a play to be reviewed.

The obvious reason for that portion of the rule is to prevent coaches from taking advantage of replay to gain a timeout or timeout benefit.

Those officials who will work the Super Bowl Sunday have reached the apex of their officiating careers.

The best-played game they could hope for would be void of penalties and involve few replays, none of which would result in changed rulings.

This political season everybody seems to be taking a survey of some sort, so I would like to do the same and maybe learn a little something about my readers and their preferences.

Those who wish to answer can either e-mail me or mail or drop off their answers to the sports department at The Natchez Democrat. All responses will remain anonymous, I promise.

1. Which do you prefer?

(a) youth sports

(b) high school sports

(c) college sports

(d) professional

2. Which sport do you prefer?

(a) football

(b) basketball

(c) baseball

(d) other

3. What are you interested in?

(a) participant

(b) fan

(c) parent

(d) official (sport?)

4. Which are you?

(a) male

(b) female

(c) over 21

Your answers don’t need to include the questions. Just refer to the question number and answer letter and please list more than one answer, if you wish.

I would like to know if you are a serious or a casual sports fan or not a fan at all.

Thanks for responding, and thanks for reading It’s Official.

Al Graning is a former SEC official and former Natchez resident. He can be reached at

AlanWard39157@aol.com.