Originally posted by brodiebluebanaszak:
Originally posted by NCommand:
Well, the new spin is that, "OK, the initial hit was to the chest area" but now "you can't slide your arm up into the neck/head area." LOL
The ref called it a "blow to the neck area" which is laughable enough (1st time in NFL history)...then everyone finally agrees that it actually was a hit to the Shoulder/chest with the new spin that even after the initial contact, one can't slide his arm up into the neck/head area. Apparently they don't take into consideration one player is trying to stay upright while the other is falling to the ground. If this a 16K penalty, QB or not, there is going to be a lot of money going to charities after every tackle via Merton Hanks! Does anyone even buy this explanation? For real?
This is my problem with the way NFL is handling this. This new language from officialys starts creeping in to explain the call because it was a borderline case that did not actually conform to the letter of the rule. Brooks did not aggravate the initital contact in any way, likely was trying to keep Brees from hitting the ground too hard. Because he knows the league treats qbs with kid gloves. Brees looks to me like he cuts his chin on the whiplash from the initital hit on his own equipment.
Didn't matter. Got the flag anyway.
Now, just because we are complaining about the call doesn't mean that we are blaming the call for losing the game. Not everyone here is doing that. I'm not. The #1 reason we lost was lack of execution on offense, a couple mistakes on special teams. This call comes in a far distant 3rd.
Totally agree! It's the spin (by current or ex referees), back-tracking, to justify a judgement call. I'd have more respect for NFL if they would just come back and say, "After review, the initial blow was to the shoulder area by Brooks with his right arm draped over the top of the clavicle/left shoulder pad area. This is legal. One player tried to maintain his upright position after the blow while the other player fell to the ground causing forearm/chin/helmet contact. While we believe this was a legal play, officials are instructed to err on the side of caution and noted the forearm-to-neck/chin area contact. The play in real time appeared violent and from the officials perspective, with the contact after the hit, he had to make a judgement call. We issue no 16K fine."
I think some in here would still say, "That's B.S...it cost us the game!." But in the end, I think after a day or two, most would understand the ref was put in a precarious position and made a call that err on the side of QB protection. I would think most could not only understand the call itself and would not only blame it more on the rule itself (which is flawed b/c it doesn't take into account the ENTIRE play - physics, what the offensive player does, intentions, etc.) BUT maintain respect for NFL (and the game) b/c they didn't insult every NFL defensive player or the common fan's IQ. They could have even smoothed it over and said that plays like this will be reviewed in the off season.
If the NFL can issue a formal apology to the SeaHawks in their Superbowl loss, why not the Niners (for the 3rd straight year now)? These kinds of moves are what preserve the integrity of the game for all. It's a human game officiated by humans. They make mistakes or in this case, have to make a judgement calls in real-time to the best of their ability based on how the rule is written/interpreted. THAT is understandable.
The spin by the NFL and it's ex-officials is not!
[ Edited by NCommand on Nov 21, 2013 at 2:05 PM ]
