As part of the latest episode of the Detroit Lions Podcast, former NFL head of officiating Dean Blandino joined us to talk about the controversial 2-pt. conversion call in Dallas. It’s an interview that the NFL and, more specifically, referee Brad Allen will probably not like.
Blandino has spent several years now working in broadcast media, including as the top NFL rules analyst for FOX Sports. He was also in charge of officiating at the XFL and introduced the “open mic” concept where fans could hear the official’s discussions.
When asked about the idea that the Lions were attempting to gain a deceptive edge with their approach of having multiple linemen head toward Allen, Blandino made it clear the Lions did nothing wrong there.
“The Lions did not do anything illegal,” Blandino said. “The Lions did nothing illegal.”
“I have no doubt in my mind that Taylor Decker reported,” Blandino said. “No doubt because the play doesn’t work if Taylor Decker doesn’t report.”
Blandino continued, with his take on how Allen made his mistake.
“Allen saw Skipper come onto the field and went into autopilot … (Allen) assumed that Skipper was reporting, and he went too fast. That’s what happened.”
He did concede, “The way the Lions presented it was unusual.” However, he continued to place the onus on Allen for “going too fast” and not performing his job properly.
