Tell the guy in the striped shirt to take his yellow flag and stick it..........

The Grouchy Geezer loves to watch football on TV, but lately it seems like more and more games are decided by an official's unnecessary and untimely call. The scenario usually goes like this: I'm rooting for Team A. Team B is trailing by a touchdown or less and takes possession of the ball deep in its own territory with only a couple minutes left on the clock. Team B's QB starts to heave long Hail Mary passes downfield. Invariably, on third down and long, just when it looks like Team A's safety or cornerback has made a brilliant defensive play to break up the pass, the field judge throws a flag signalling pass interference. Yes, that's it--I'm talking about the dreaded PI. (I call them that for shorthand because they usually do really PIss me off.) Too often, the result is that Team B gets a fresh set of downs and goes on to tie or win the game. All because of an official's questionable call. I don't mind when there is obvious and flagrant PI. But why does the official have to inject himself into the game in that manner when the penalty isn't obvious? If I were a coach, I'd pass on every down because I could depend on an official to call PI on the other team's defensive backs at least on every third play, whether justified or not. I wonder what football would be like if they were to do away with the rules about pass interference, holding, illegal use of the hands, etc.and let the players grab and hold and use their hands however they wish--within reason, of course. It'd no doubt change the way the game is played. But it might keep us grouches from getting POed over the PIs!