A Replay of NFL Vote Would Be the Right Call

Former Dallas Cowboy general manager Tex Schramm, in his role as Pete Rozelle’s mentor, contended that the NFL was better served by part-time officials.

As judges, doctors, bankers and school superintendents in their everyday lives, he said they were less susceptible to nefarious influences than full-time officials would have been.

That didn’t say much for officiating in professional sports that do have full-time officials. But that wasn’t Schramm’s concern.

Because of the NFL’s process for choosing officials, Schramm said he never worried about their integrity.

Their eyesight, yes.

Anyone who ever heard Schramm ranting in the press box about a call can tell you he thought the officials were seldom--OK, never--right when it went against the Cowboys.

Now, after the coin flip controversy in the Thanksgiving game between Detroit and Pittsburgh, I suppose Schramm also would have been concerned about their hearing.

That incident is still under review, although Monday the NFL changed its coin toss procedure for the first time in 22 years.

Tampa Bay’s Tony Dungy said Monday that coaches could live with blown calls, as long as there was some consistency to them.

For instance, Dallas’ Kevin Smith wasn’t called for his pass interference in the end zone on the last play of the game two weeks ago against Arizona, even though it was obvious. But Buffalo’s Henry Jones was flagged Sunday with time running out against New England on a “Hail Mary” pass that involved considerable jostling among players in the end zone.

That call, combined with one that was worse on the Patriots’ winning drive, prompted Buffalo owner Ralph Wilson, who is 80, to complain about “the worst officiating I’ve ever seen.”

What should the NFL do?

Schramm was right when he said the NFL shouldn’t have full-time officials, although not necessarily for the reason he gave. Most mistakes haven’t been caused by a lack of preparation or conditioning but because the game is too fast, the players too big and quick and the rules too complex for human arbitrators.

The answer is instant replay.

Supporters came close to restoring it to the NFL last March, falling two owners’ votes short of the 23 required. They should try again before next season, probably having witnessed the conversion Sunday of at least one “no” voter--Ralph Wilson.

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The Angels had much to be thankful for last week when Mo Vaughn signed with them. . . .

They had more to be thankful for Monday when Randy Johnson didn’t. . . .

A 35-year-old fastball pitcher with a bad back might be good, or even great, for the first two years of his four-year, $53-million deal with Arizona, but my guess is that Jerry Colangelo won’t enjoy paying him for the last two. . . .

There once was a baseball franchise that exuded nothing but class, built from within its superior farm system, had an excitable, colorful and respected manager and could always be counted on to contend. . . .

Today, that organization is close to hitting bottom. . . .

No, I’m not talking about the Dodgers. . . .

I’m talking about the Orioles, if it’s true they’re about to sign Albert Belle. . . .

Doesn’t Cal Ripken Jr. have veto power? . . .

Look for Tommy Bowden to move from Tulane to Clemson. . . .

His father once told him that the best two football coaching jobs in the Atlantic Coast Conference were at Florida State and Clemson, and Bobby Bowden isn’t looking to leave Florida State in the near future. . . .

If you’re looking for the next great running back, start in San Diego. . . .

Texas’ Ricky Williams, who broke Tony Dorsett’s NCAA Division I rushing record, went to San Diego’s Patrick Henry High. . . .

Denver’s Terrell Davis, who could break Eric Dickerson’s NFL single-season rushing record, went to San Diego’s Lincoln High. . . .

That’s the same high school that gave us Marcus Allen, the NFL record holder for touchdowns rushing. . . .

Moses Moreno, the seventh-round draft choice from Colorado State who started at quarterback for the Chicago Bears Sunday, is the brother of USC linebacker Zeke Moreno. . . .

Spike Lee might not be as ready as he thinks for the NBA lockout to end. . . .

Eleven, sometimes 12, players from his least favorite team, Indiana, are working out together regularly. . . .

When play resumes, the Pacers probably will start so fast that other Eastern Conference teams won’t be able to catch them in a 48- or 50-game regular season. . . .

Heard over the public address system at the recent women’s basketball game between UCLA and West Virginia: “West Virginia foul on that girl--Marlo Thomas.”

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While wondering if it’s possible Kevin Brown learned nothing from Darryl Kile, I was thinking: Remember those predictions that Miami would dominate Big East football for decades to come, John Elway has to come back for at least one more season, I always figured that NFL referees didn’t know their heads from their tails.

Randy Harvey can be reached at randy.harvey@latimes.com.