Ty Law speaks out

CBS SportsLine December 3, 1998

You would think New England defensive back Ty Law would be a bit more grateful after officials blew a pair of calls leading to his Patriots' come back win over Buffalo last week.

Yet, not even the former first-round draft pick out of Michigan could resist laying down the law, taking a stab at the poor job officials seem to be doing in the NFL this year as he voiced his disappointment chatting with fans Thursday (12/3) evening.

Law, who leads the league in interceptions with seven, also talked about his career year with the Patriots, and where he might land after he becomes a free agent at the end of the season. Below is an excerpt from Law's chat.

Question: Was the reception last week legit, or was he out of bounds? I am sure you saw the films of that play.

Ty Law: The guys in the stripes make the calls. I didn't see the films, but from what I saw on ESPN, it appeared to me that he was out of bounds.

Question: Ty - What is your opinion on the officiating in general this season?

Ty Law: I think it has dictated the outcome of a lot of games. That is unfair, but at the same time there is not any one particular game in which the officiating has been poor, just a lot of bad calls.

Question: What, if any, solutions do you see to this (officiating) problem?

Ty Law: As far as the officiating, I really don't see a solution. They need to do some self-evaluation, or maybe they need to give a bit more leeway on some of the rules. That's up to the league to decide. Instant replay... I think they should put it back into effect. It would help a lot of games, and make it easier to make calls. It's only fair.

Question: Ty, be honest here, how much pass interference goes on that is not called, by you and the WRs you cover?

Ty Law: There is a LOT that is not called, but it is on both ends. The WRs rarely get called for pass interference, and they do just as much pushing and grabbing as defensive backs. We are at a disadvantage because we get called for it.

Question: What did you think about all the calls against you in the final Buffalo scoring drive??? That was ridiculous, I think.

Ty Law: I think they were VERY picky. But it is whatever the guy in the stripes thinks. It's his opinion.