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Flagging NFL's safety initiative

Overzealous officiating a byproduct of league's mandate on protecting QBs, receivers

Originally Published: November 23, 2010
By John Clayton | ESPN.com

NFL justice has me completely confused, and I feel sorry for the officials and empathize with defensive players.

The re-emphasis on protecting quarterbacks from violent hits and defenseless receivers from helmet hits was the right call by the league, but the midseason adjustments have thrown everything out of whack.

I was at Heinz Field in Week 11 for the Steelers-Raiders game and kept shaking my head because it's apparent officials now instinctively throw the penalty flag ...

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