Questionable Calls Superbowl 43

[Welpe]

I'm going to say this and be done with this foolishness. The crew did not have a perfect game. If you take the time to actually read some of the officiating forums, you will see this is discussed amongst officials.

You can even feel you had a lousy game, but as an official, to come onto a forum for a sport you do not officiate and to show a total lack of respect for your fellow officials is reprehensible. There are games I feel that NBA officials did not have a great game, I believe that game six of the 2002 Western Conference finals was a good example of such. I'm not about to jump on the basketball forum and start slamming the officials, calling them incompetent, etc. We should be above that and show some professional courtesey where it is due.

I doubt this will sink in, but I am hoping that somewhere it will eventually. We take enough garbage from fans, coaches and even players, we don't need to deal with it from each other. Hopefully as you grow as an official, you will come to realize this.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I'm going to say this and be done with this foolishness. The crew did not have a perfect game. If you take the time to actually read some of the officiating forums, you will see this is discussed amongst officials.

You can even feel you had a lousy game, but as an official, to come onto a forum for a sport you do not officiate and to show a total lack of respect for your fellow officials is reprehensible. There are games I feel that NBA officials did not have a great game, I believe that game six of the 2002 Western Conference finals was a good example of such. I'm not about to jump on the basketball forum and start slamming the officials, calling them incompetent, etc. We should be above that and show some professional courtesey where it is due.

I doubt this will sink in, but I am hoping that somewhere it will eventually. We take enough garbage from fans, coaches and even players, we don't need to deal with it from each other. Hopefully as you grow as an official, you will come to realize this.

Fair enough. It may not even be the officials themselves, although I do think NFL officials are the most inconsistent of any in pro sports.

I'm even more upset with the NFL itself for what it has become. The roughing the passer rules are ridiculous. The celebration rules are ridiculous. That doesn't even scratch the surface. As I said in my last reply, instant replay is a joke.

Believe it or not, I'm not the only person who thinks the NFL favors certain teams over others.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by zm1283

Believe it or not, I'm not the only person who thinks the NFL favors certain teams over others.

Wow, you admit that you are apart of a bunch of idiots.

• I guess the NFL told Kurt Warner to throw an interception on the goal line?
  
• I guess the NFL was favoring a team they took a TD away from (they only got 3)?
  
• I guess the NFL told Samari Rolle (on the sideline and in the 3 yard belt) to run into Larry Fitzgerald so he could not make a tackle on the Harrison before he got to the goal line?
  
• I bet the NFL decided to give the eventual winning team a holding call that not only gave the losing team 2 points, but they gave them a holding call the first play of the final drive (big penalty)?
  
• I guess the NFL told the Cardinals not to tackle and allowed the eventual MVP run 30-40 yards untouched before being tackled inside the 10?
  
• I guess the NFL told the MVP to catch the ball with 3 people guarding him?
  
• I guess the NFL told the Cardinals to have Fitzgerald score with over 2 minutes to go in the game?
  
• I guess the NFL told the Cardinals to miss tackles and not get a hand on Big Ben when he moved in the pocket and made big passes?
  
• I guess the NFL told the Cardinals not to block and allow their QB to make a throw without being hit?
  
• I bet the NFL is at fault for Warner not having the ability as Big Ben to get away from the rush?

I could mention about 10 other things. You are right, the fix was in?

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by zm1283

Believe it or not, I'm not the only person who thinks the NFL favors certain teams over others.

You realize you're accusing the officials of cheating here, right?

[waltjp]

What I find funny is that there are a couple of posters here who are complaining about the calls in the game. They've already made up their mind that they're correct, despite any attempt by others to explain the correct rulings and interpretations to them. The antagonists then claim that we're all officials and will blindly defend our brethren.

The truth is that if you read through this and other threads you'll see where we can be critical of our brothers. Recent threads about Ed Hochuli and Don Cherry come to mind.

[kdf5]

The other problem is that these knotheads don't realize that the official's view standing on the field, watching the game live is one hell of a lot different than sitting in the living room watching replays. All it takes is a glance one direction to miss something in another. Bodies, body parts, can flash in front of you at just the right moment to obscure your vision. I know for myself that I can see something, have to take a moment to process it and it's effect on the game or if it was what I really saw and I'm missing something else.

Take Rothlisberger's TD at the start of the game and the "helping the runner" call that was supposedly missed. It's possible the wing was focused on the position of the ball and didn't see much else. After all what's more important? If you throw the flag and miss where the ball is then these dumbsh8ts will be whining that he didn't see the ball. I'd rather want to know if the ball crossed the line as my first priority.

How about Warner's fumble that was reviewed and became an incomplete pass? I'm guessing there was no way for the white hat to see his arm in the position he was in when he threw the ball. However, one thing is very clear and that was Warner's fumble at the end of the game. I had no doubt it was a fumble. These knotheads just find it easier to sit back and whine than to get off their lazy butts and become an official.

[RMR]

Originally Posted by waltjp

What I find funny is that there are a couple of posters here who are complaining about the calls in the game. They've already made up their mind that they're correct, despite any attempt by others to explain the correct rulings and interpretations to them. The antagonists then claim that we're all officials and will blindly defend our brethren.

The truth is that if you read through this and other threads you'll see where we can be critical of our brothers. Recent threads about Ed Hochuli and Don Cherry come to mind.

Fans are very rarely interested in reality in discussions like this. They are more interested in pissing and moaning.

They ask questions, but then when their questions get answered the person answering is either FOS or "covering up for the refs." That's just the way it is.

I spend a lot of time on a couple of college fan forums and it's really pretty comical. I used to try to explain rulings etc., but you know it's bad when you can provide a quote directly from the rule book and still be informed that you are wrong.

I have learned to let Matthew 7:6 be my guide.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by RMR

Fans are very rarely interested in reality in discussions like this. They are more interested in pissing and moaning.

The above is something we all should have learned by the end of the first quarter of our first game. Likely the reason most of us, at least the rational ones, have learned to totally ignore anything that comes out of the spectator area.

Every now and then a serious fan will ask a reasonable question in a respectful manner at an appropriate opportunity, because he/she is seriously interested in knowing the answer. Occassionally that happens on these forums, and most replys are intended to be helpful and instructional.

Unfortunately, most of the really stupid, rabid fans who shout and yell dumb things, know how to type. Ignoring their ignorant rantings on the field is a great way of dealing with them, it would probably work as well on line.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Unfortunately, most of the really stupid, rabid fans who shout and yell dumb things, know how to type. Ignoring their ignorant rantings on the field is a great way of dealing with them, it would probably work as well on line.

But it's not nearly as fun.

[fljet]

Originally Posted by RMR

Fans are very rarely interested in reality in discussions like this. They are more interested in pissing and moaning.

They ask questions, but then when their questions get answered the person answering is either FOS or "covering up for the refs." That's just the way it is.

I spend a lot of time on a couple of college fan forums and it's really pretty comical. I used to try to explain rulings etc., but you know it's bad when you can provide a quote directly from the rule book and still be informed that you are wrong.

I have learned to let Matthew 7:6 be my guide.

Point well taken, I am not saying Im right or wrong, and Im not saying anyone on this that comments is right or wrong. My agenda was to point out that there were an abnormal amount of questionable calls and actions in this game, 90% of them helping PITTS. What prompts me to do this is about ten of you saying that you thought the crew did a "great job" is bologna. I also knew coming in to the game that Mcually's crew called the most penalties in the NFL this year and absolutely predicted prior to the game that this game would come down to a call. (Which is why I took the cards +7 and made an assload of money)
I understand that it is not easy to get all the calls right, nor would I expect that to happen, but when you have a game like that it causes fans to lose confidence in the officiating. Again I am a neutral fan who was disappointed because I like millions of other neutral fans dont think the Cards got a fair shot, just like the Seahawks in 2005.

If you think this game was officiated well and you dont agree, then you are just drinking the Mike P. kool aid, wake up and smell the coffee. The fans are the ones that pay the bills and as being a season ticket holder for 12 years I am entitled to my opinion.

PEACE

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by fljet

Point well taken, I am not saying Im right or wrong, and Im not saying anyone on this that comments is right or wrong. My agenda was to point out that there were an abnormal amount of questionable calls and actions in this game, 90% of them helping PITTS. What prompts me to do this is about ten of you saying that you thought the crew did a "great job" is bologna. I also knew coming in to the game that Mcually's crew called the most penalties in the NFL this year and absolutely predicted prior to the game that this game would come down to a call. (Which is why I took the cards +7 and made an assload of money)
I understand that it is not easy to get all the calls right, nor would I expect that to happen, but when you have a game like that it causes fans to lose confidence in the officiating. Again I am a neutral fan who was disappointed because I like millions of other neutral fans dont think the Cards got a fair shot, just like the Seahawks in 2005.

The biggest myth is sports are that fouls are supposed to be even. Just like players and teams to not make equally great plays, you cannot expect players and teams to make the same number of mistakes. Officials officiate mistakes. If everyone followed the rules, you would not need officials. Someone has to be out there to identify those mistakes.

I did not see any plays where the Steelers ran into a holder (which you almost never see at any level BTW). The Steelers had the only penalties that resulted in points which put the Cardinals in position to score on the next drive. They had a penalty before that that backed them up closer to the end zone before the holding that resulted in a safety in a personal foul. There were quite a few personal fouls by both teams and one was pretty stupid on a Steelers player, but the Cardinals did not convert. And no body told the Cardinals not to cover a receiver that made about 4 catches in the same drive and allow him an opportunity to win the game. Did the officials make the Cardinal DB fall so that the MVP could run 30-40 yards down field? Or did the officials tell their sideline player to run into a chasing player on the last play of the first half? And you really can make a case that the play calling by the Cardinals forgot about Fitzgerald until the game was almost over. What would have happen if they run plays to him most of the game?

When are you going to acknowledge those mistakes?

Originally Posted by fljet

If you think this game was officiated well and you dont agree, then you are just drinking the Mike P. kool aid, wake up and smell the coffee. The fans are the ones that pay the bills and as being a season ticket holder for 12 years I am entitled to my opinion.

PEACE

In any profession, the average person is not an expert one what it takes to be successful at that profession. And whether you like it or not, the fans are not going to ever dictate that. No one needs to drink anything, we have actually been in situations where we have had to make calls in a split second and there is not instant replay to back us up. And when you have been in those situations, you realize how hard it is to call a game with bigger, faster and stronger players. And it is amazing to me how many times these officials get plays right. The replay system backs up officials most of the time. And you for one did not even understand the idiosyncrasies of that system. And I do not care if you are a season ticket holder that is your problem. I am not a season ticket holder and would not be. If I was I would complain to the people I am wasting my money for, not people that do not run the organization and only know of things from a far. I can see you are not a very smart consumer.

Peace

[RMR]

Originally Posted by fljet

I also knew coming in to the game that Mcually's crew called the most penalties in the NFL this year and absolutely predicted prior to the game that this game would come down to a call. (Which is why I took the cards +7 and made an assload of money)
I understand that it is not easy to get all the calls right, nor would I expect that to happen, but when you have a game like that it causes fans to lose confidence in the officiating. Again I am a neutral fan who was disappointed because I like millions of other neutral fans dont think the Cards got a fair shot, just like the Seahawks in 2005.

So what exactly are you trying to say? Are you saying that the crew cheated for the Steelers in this game and in Super Bowl XL? that's certainly how your comments here come across.

Oh, and what "call did the game come down to"?

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by fljet

My agenda was to point out that there were an abnormal amount of questionable calls and actions in this game, 90% of them helping PITTS.

The majority of questions about the calls on the field are from those who do not understand the rules and their interpretations. That includes the righteous media.

I also knew coming in to the game that Mcually's crew called the most penalties in the NFL this year and absolutely predicted prior to the game that this game would come down to a call.

Fact - this was not McAulay's crew. The crew consisted of officials who graded out the highest at their position during the season. This also points to the fact that this is the way the league wants the game to be called.

Again I am a neutral fan who was disappointed because I like millions of other neutral fans dont think the Cards got a fair shot, just like the Seahawks in 2005.

Again, your opinion of the calls is of little consequence to the NFL. This is how they want the game called. btw - the offensive pass interference against Seattle was a terrific call!

If you think this game was officiated well and you dont agree, then you are just drinking the Mike P. kool aid, wake up and smell the coffee.

The comment above seems to contradict the following statement.

and Im not saying anyone on this that comments is right or wrong

The fans are the ones that pay the bills and as being a season ticket holder for 12 years I am entitled to my opinion.

Everyone has an opinion. But having an opinion doesn't make you correct.

[daggo66]

Originally Posted by waltjp

What I find funny is that there are a couple of POSERS here who are complaining about the calls in the game. They've already made up their mind that they're correct, despite any attempt by others to explain the correct rulings and interpretations to them. The antagonists then claim that we're all officials and will blindly defend our brethren.

The truth is that if you read through this and other threads you'll see where we can be critical of our brothers. Recent threads about Ed Hochuli and Don Cherry come to mind.

Fixed that for ya' Walt.

[schmitty1973]

I thought the game had alot more penalties called than in normal big games. But most of them were STUPID mistakes by both teams that should have been called. On the roughing the holder, I first thought it was roughing the snapper, then I saw the replay and I couldn't believe someone would be that dumb to do that. (I'm a Warner fan so I wanted AZ to win). Obviously it seemed like AZ was doing all the dumb things in the first half, then Pitt caught up with them in the 2nd. I think the officials stayed out of it the best they could, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. And they did.