A news conference Wednesday has led to the commissioner of the NFL commenting on the recent officiating scandal.
Roger Goodell was peppered with questions about the controversial pass interference non-call that helped the Los Angeles Rams beat the New Orleans Saints and advance to the Super Bowl.
While agreeing that game officials missed the helmet-to-helmet hit and pass interference penalty by Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman - league officiating chief Al Riveron called Saints coach Sean Payton after the game and admitted the blown call - Goodell said the league will re-examine the officiating process.
''We will look again at instant replay,'' said Goodell, who added that league executives recognize the frustration of Saints fans. ''There have been a variety of proposals over the last - frankly 15 to 20 years - of should replay be expanded? It does not cover judgment calls. This was a judgment call.
Goodell completely ruled out any use of commissioner's powers to change the call or resume the game; a lawsuit was filed in New Orleans seeking that.
He also stressed that he and the competition committee will examine a potential expansion of replay to include helmet-to-helmet hits.
''We have worked very hard to bring technology in to try to make sure we can do whatever possible to address those issues,'' Goodell said. ''But technology is not going to solve all of these issues. The game is not officiated by robots, it's not going to be. But we have to continue to go down that path.''
The Patriots will take on the Rams at the Super Bowl, Sunday in Atlanta.
— With files from Metro Source