NFL officiating called on the carpet...

[CigarStone]

Following yesterday's Pittsburgh-San Diego game there is a great deal of head scratching.

For those who didn't see it:

The officiating crew blew a call at the end of the game which didn't effect the outcome (except a possible 7th tie-breaker) but had an enormous effect on Vegas betting.

READ HERE

The officiating crew had all night to get the call right because there was no time on the clock and the call would "not" effect the outcome of the game. They came out and announced it was a Steeler touchdown but stated a wrong reason.....then after moments of confusion, they negated the TD and again, stated a different wrong reason.

After the game the referee (Scott Green) said they got it wrong but again said it wrong.....he kept saying there was an illegal pass that hit the ground when in fact it was a lateral, it wasn't illegal, and it never hit the ground. The only pass/lateral that hit the ground was a seven yard backward lateral. The whistle never blew. If you read his answers to the reporters questions he keeps saying things that simply don't make sense.

The outcome is said to be having enormous effects on Vegas betting because the Steelers were favored by 5 and, despite the goal of all bookies and betting agents to get equal amounts of money bet on each side of a point spread, there was a great deal more money bet on the Steelers to cover. This fiasco at the end of the game changed how that money will be dispersed.

It also brings up the question of the huge disparity of penalties called during the game, 13 for 115 yards on the Steelers (two TD's brought back) and 2 for 5 yards on SD.

Was someone trying to keep the Steelers from covering when Veags got caught with their shorts down?

 

[uptown_isy]

I saw the game and wondered the same thing...its effect on sportsbooks. Wonder how this will turn out. Somehow, I doubt the NFL will do anything about this. They are more concerned with the outcome of the game being affected, rather than the payouts being affected. But who knows? I am by no means an expert.

 

[Sweetrice80]

One problem, You can not advance on an illegal forward pass. The first one was "illegal" (not in my mind), the play continues till it hits the ground. On the second lateral, it was in fact legal however it hit the ground and because of the "illegal" forward pass before the legal one, the ball can not advance. I can honestly say, I had that in the back of my mind while the whole confusion went on. Because I was certain that they would be a review for the first Lateral. Either way we made history, and I did not bet.

David

 

[Breedy]

I gotta think that if there was fixing in the NBA, then at very least, offers have been made to Officials in other sports. Penalities, wierd calls and the like are nothing new, take it from a Cleveland fan (Dwayne Rudd helmet fiasco, K-2 touchdown/push out against the Cards last year, reviewing a play after another play had been ran). Are all those examples of fixing? In truth the answer is probably not.

Some plays/calls are very questionable, but they idea of fixing a game/spread on one specific play seems incredible. What I mean is, if I was trying to fix a game, I would go with penalities and bad spots over one specific and crucial call. The reason is your less likely to get caught, there is very little oversight on refs missing/make erronous calls, but in crucial situations we have instant replay; how many hundreds of times will that play be viewed a questioned?

If this was an attempt at a fix, then the official most of really been in a bad way. Seriously to make the wrong call, explain it wrong, stick with, defend it....add to that, there is a supposed to be League Officials at the games time wasn't an issue. Its a complete and total joke that will get glossed over becuase the NFL doesn't allow anyone to question officials calls.

If a player or coach questions an official in public they get fined, if a player or coach commits certain on field infractions they get fined. Why is it then, that officials don't get fined for making a bad call, or not calling something that occured right in front of them?

 

[Sweetrice80]

If a player or coach questions an official in public they get fined, if a player or coach commits certain on field infractions they get fined. Why is it then, that officials don't get fined for making a bad call, or not calling something that occured right in front of them?

Correct however, they get a bad grade. Now one of the "best" refs in Ed Hochuli can not ref any playoff games this year. Thats an bonus pay check that he gets every year that will not be this year. So its not a "fine" but its a pay cut and a punishment, because refing the super bowl, pretty much labels you one of the best.


David

 

[Breedy]

If a player or coach questions an official in public they get fined, if a player or coach commits certain on field infractions they get fined. Why is it then, that officials don't get fined for making a bad call, or not calling something that occured right in front of them?

Correct however, they get a bad grade. Now one of the "best" refs in Ed Hochuli can not ref any playoff games this year. Thats an bonus pay check that he gets every year that will not be this year. So its not a "fine" but its a pay cut and a punishment, because refing the super bowl, pretty much labels you one of the best.


David

You sir are very correct, after I posted I thought of that. By and large, week after week, officials blow calls both major and minor with little or no repercussion. As you state, Hochuli is on of the better refs in the NFL and we won't get to officate in the playoffs. All of that is from basically on misque, how many other officials blow calls but still get to participate?

 

[LilBastage]

The officiating in the NFL is the worst I've ever seen it. I don't know what to do about it or how to fix it, but it needs to be done soon. It may very well be the downfall of the League if nothing is done.

 

[CigarStone]

Well..... the head of officiating just gave his drivel on ESPN.

He said that after the delay, and booth review of the play, they got it correct and the TD stood. Then an official called a conference and said that if an illegal (forward) pass hits the ground "the play is over" and they got confused as to which pass/lateral hit the ground and reversed their original position. He agreed this was wrong.

He sited that the refs are "not allowed" to review a play twice......this is complete BS......what prevents them from reviewing a play twice?

Exactly what would happen if they went under the booth a second time and eventually got the call right? ......How many of you think that a coach (or anyone) would bitch about it?

 

[Golfanatic]

The entire officiating crew has been bought...probably

 

[Dave]

Wasn't the first time bad calls were made. However this is the second Charger's game this season a bad call was made which might lead to certain speculation as to whether or not someone influencing the officiating team has something against the Chargers. I don't find it coincidental at all that Ed Hochuli was an official for both games.

Linky: Totally unnacceptable.

I understand if the judges might miss someone committing a penalty here and there since it's tough trying to keep an eye on 22 players on the field and their actions during a fast paced play, but to miscall a game, and then to misinterpret rules which these officials should know by heart is totally unacceptable. Even if these penalty calls can be challenged (I'm not sure if they can be. don't know the limitations on throwing the challenge flag) it leads to distrust in the officials during the game from the NFL's constituents: the fans, the franchise, the owners, the coaching teams, and of course the players.

I believe franchises should have the right for a lawsuit against these miscalls, especially if there is sufficient evidence after the fact. The teams are losing possible playoff monies, and the fans are losing the enjoyment of watching their teams play. Such a disgrace, and here I thought worthless players like Pacman Jones was a blemish in the NFL.