Superbowl:Was there a block in the back not called

[procivil]

I dont have a replay handy, but I believe there was a block-in-the-back foul on the Saints on the interception return for a touchdown. The block in question occurred around the 50 yard line by I think #81 from the Saints during the return. Did anyone else see this? What do you think?

[ump33]

In "real time" I thought Manning was pushed from behind and the runner made a slight cut back to the inside ... in slow-motion it did not look as obvious.

Regardless, I do not think it would have made difference because I do not think the Colts defense could stop the Saints.

For the record, I've been a Colts fan since the days of "ole high tops", #19 Johnny U.

[JasonTX]

It was a good no call. The initial contact was at the shoulder and then Manning turned and he was finished off with the push. The key part is where the initial contact was.

[Ed Hickland]

It was not a block in the back. Best I could tell from the video Manning was moving toward sideline as Porter was directing blocking. Porter seeing the blocking moved toward middle of the field such that his path placed him behind Manning. Looked like Manning tried to reverse direction and got tangled.

Wished they had shown the aerial camera shot.

[bisonlj]

I must be training my son well because he noticed it while watching a replay tonight. I told him if the official saw it he probably passed on it because there was no advantage gained. The runner cut behind Peyton and he had no play. It would have been a cheap BIB and I think it was good for any official to pass on it. I disagree with Ed that the block started in the side but I do agree it was a good no-call.

[grunewar]

I agree it was a good no call.

It was discussed at some length on several ESPN shows/Sports Centers.

[mbyron]

The Superbowl crew threw very few flags (say that aloud 5 times fast), which helped keep the game under the usual 11 hours broadcast time.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

It was not a block in the back. Best I could tell from the video Manning was moving toward sideline as Porter was directing blocking. Porter seeing the blocking moved toward middle of the field such that his path placed him behind Manning. Looked like Manning tried to reverse direction and got tangled.

Wished they had shown the aerial camera shot.

I agree. I thought there might've been something in real-time but after seeing the replay, it was clearly nothing.

[BIG UMP]

I wanted the Saints to win but would not have been upset the other way.

I saw the block and after watching the replays, agree it was a good no call.

It was on Manning and I don't believe he was going to make much of an attempt to make a tackle. Most QB's make that one handed ,"Oh well I tried" tackle.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by BIG UMP

Most QB's make that one handed ,"Oh well I tried" tackle.

Most QB's don't even make that tackle. They make the "hey! go get him!" tackle.

Kind of like the lazy OT making a "look out" block.

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by BIG UMP

I wanted the Saints to win but would not have been upset the other way.

I saw the block and after watching the replays, agree it was a good no call.

It was on Manning and I don't believe he was going to make much of an attempt to make a tackle. Most QB's make that one handed ,"Oh well I tried" tackle.

Unfortunately most Colts fans remember the 2005 Divisional playoffs when Nick Harper picked up the Jerome Bettis fumble and would have scored if not for a nice play but Ben Rothlisberger. That would have most likely won the game for the Colts. Wish he would have tried the "Oh well I tried' tackle!

[With_Two_Flakes]

Heh, Heh! Wondered if there would be a thread about this. Good no call fom my perspective on this side of the Atlantic. Our commentators didn't even talk about it, probably didn't see it.