R 14 Shawn Smith 3 WC, 1 DIV, 1 CC U 92 Bryan Neale 4 WC, 1 DIV, 2 CC DJ 79 Kent Payne 4 WC, 5 DIV, 8 CC, XLV, LI, LIV LJ 75 Mark Stewart first playoff game FJ 109 Dyrol Prioleau 12 WC, 2 DIV, 3 CC, LI SJ 58 Don Willard first playoff game BJ 119 Greg Wilson 6 WC, 2 DIV, 1 CC
ALTS
R 34 Clete Blakeman 4 WC, 3 DIV, 2 CC, SB 50 U 49 Rich Hall 7 WC, 2 DIV, 3 CC DJ 37 Tripp Sutter first alternate assignement (first year eligible) FJ 60 Gary Cavaletto WC, 4 DIV, 5 CC, XLVI BJ 12 Greg Steed 4 WC, 2 DIV, 2 CC, XLIV, LIV
At multiple points at the end of the second quarter, referee Shawn Smith opened his microphone for a clock correction.
First, a staffing note: Game clock operators are local employees hired by the officiating department. For the playoffs, they send the high ranking clock operators to a neutral stadium, but because of covid protocols, there is no travel this postseason.
On a fourth-down conversion, the clock was paused momentarily as there was a quick determination if the first down was achieved. The signal was given to wind the clock, but it obviously wasn't seen. Contrary to popular belief, the clock operators are not parked in an optimal position at the 50-yard line -- that is some seriously high-priced real estate there -- but sometimes as far as the 10-yard line or even the end zone. Despite less-than-ideal vantage points, it is incumbent to focus on the signaling, although it is also helpful for officials to mirror a wind or stop signal, especially when they observe it's not obeyed.
The signal was eventually seen about 2 seconds before the snap. There is no real way to make the proper adjustment here, and the officials are effectively stuck with lost time in this situation. But, as with the on-field officials, it is important to shake off an error and focus, which apparently didn't happen here.Later, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is ruled out of bounds on a run. The clock continues to run, and the officials can make a clock correction in this case. They will have a general idea of what the clock should read, and replay can assist in fine tuning the clock time. So in this case, they can tell the officials what the clock should read based on their signal. Replay cannot intervene to help change the call on the field (that Mayfield actually was in bounds, so the clock should wind), only to have the clock match up as ruled on the field. In/out of bounds is not a reviewable element when there is no change in field position, so only if there is something subject to a booth review can they change the call and the clock.
There were a host of other issues, but it all culminated when the clock was later adjusted to 5 seconds prior to a field goal attempt. Unless it is a chip-shot field goal, there is every expectation that the clock will run the maximum of 5 seconds for a non-blocked field goal attempt. (Clock stops when it hits the net or ground, but by rule no more than 5 seconds can run off.) In this case, the clock operator was a little overzealous and left 1 second on a 49-yard field goal, which Smith announced the half was over.
There is a game-clock and play-clock operator for each stadium, plus an alternate for each. It is possible that a backup alternate, such as the cutoff operator for the coach-to-player communication system, is working the game.Clock operators are very highly sought positions, each working as a 1-year contractor every year. Compounding mistakes like this can have the league looking at some up-and-coming college official to move up into the booth. (Current first-year official Dominque Pender was working as a clock operator as recently as last season.)
