After the Conference Championship rounds this past weekend, I think we can all agree that the NFL will be looking at expanding replay review during the off season meetings.
The economics of pro sports already drive games to be longer than necessary. Many argue that an expansion of replay review would only make games longer and less appealing to TV viewers. I think to an extent that is true, but the bitter disappointments from bad/non-calls during games (often acknowledged by the league after the fact) have to be factored into the 'fan experience' part of the equation. Sure, die hard fans will never leave, but marginal ones? They might leave with a bitter taste in their mouths that could effect, in the long run, revenue (and let's not fool ourselves that it's the #1 driving factor in a lot of decision making by the league's big brass).
Personally, I'm a bit put off by the whole situation and realize there are no easy solutions, but I'm not leaving the fan kingdom completely (I can't stand to watch regular season pro-basketball anymore).
I like the NCAA football system. Each play is reviewed by officials in the booth, and coaches get one challenge (re-filled if you're proven correct).
That leaves the issue of what's reviewed and what's not reviewed. We all know that there is holding on every play, and often times it does effect the outcome of a play and is not called, but TYPICALLY, the holds don't influence the outcome of the play. So I'm for not reviewing them (on the line) but keep an eye out for holding on receivers running their routes.
Looking at bottom line again, the NFL would have to have more referees to be booth officials to keep the games moving. So they can review plays as they're happening. You can't do a 'pool' set up like MLB where they call the guys in NYC to look at a single play.
Tough problem, interested to hear if other folks have solutions. Personally, I want to see the right called made in a reasonable amount of time. If they show the replay once, and then use the 'review' time to show commercials that would normally be shown (and slow the game down) at other times (like after a kick off/extra point) I don't think it would slow the game down too much.
I wanted the Rams to win (and the Chiefs, too) but you can't tell me those Saints fans didn't have a dagger plunged into their hearts.