That’s a lame analogy.
Who said the ref’s were missing things?
1. Refs will "let go" most stuff away from the flow of the play.
2. If you'll notice, refs upped enforcement of "defensive holding" in 2014...by definition in every level of reffing, "holding" involves restraint.
I've seen several NFL penalties called on defenders who attempted to hold a receiver, but didn't actually restrain them in any way. If we applied the 2014 definition of defensive holding to offensive holding, just about every pass play (& many more running plays) could be holding.
When you have 22 players -- and less than 22 eyes -- yeah, I lot will be either missed ... and much ignored. Refs realize this is ultimately "entertainment" -- and that they are not the center of that.
Btw, the same thing has happened over recent decades in college basketball.
Much more contact than used to be...and very subjectively whistled...coaches know refs aren't going to whistle most games to death.