Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Byron wrote:Well, the NFL has said that the call could have gone either way, so no issue with picking up the flag. The mechanics of how it was handled (make the call and then reverse it) seem to be the real issue.

They've also pointed out numerous missed calls on both Dallas and Detroit throughout the game. The players still have to play; the real shame of that game was watching Detroit just implode in the last half of the fourth quarter after playing so well at the beginning of the game.

I think the refs are just being conseravtive; it is better not to call a boderline penalty than to call it. That is why you hear people and announcers say let them play the game. The pass was poor as it hit the defender in the back and Pettigrew was hitting the defender in th helmet on the way down field. I think the better question is if the teams were reveresed and their was a non call on the defense would anyone have cared? Only people in Texas.

If they threw flag. announced penalty and marked it off, then said it was no penalty and it seemed to affect the game, yes they would have bitched. Theory has it they wouldn't have done this in other direction.

Refs would have needed armed guard on field

Yes, my point exactly. Cowboy fans would have been upset and nobody else. Same would have occured if it was the Pats on defense; there would have been a huge outcry. Put anyone but Dallas and NE in this situation and there wouldn;t be half the concern since sometimes the best call is no penalty.

The Lions didn;t lose because of the Refs (they had plenty of other chances and could have gone for it on 4th and 1) or there is no conspiracy to put Dallas in the SB.

Today's call against Williams on the Cowboys first TD drive is another good example of why the best choice is often not to throw a flag. I don't even think that ball was catchable and there was no real contact by the defender.

Apbaball wrote:Yes, my point exactly. Cowboy fans would have been upset and nobody else. Same would have occured if it was the Pats on defense; there would have been a huge outcry. Put anyone but Dallas and NE in this situation and there wouldn;t be half the concern since sometimes the best call is no penalty.

The Lions didn;t lose because of the Refs (they had plenty of other chances and could have gone for it on 4th and 1) or there is no conspiracy to put Dallas in the SB.

Today's call against Williams on the Cowboys first TD drive is another good example of why the best choice is often not to throw a flag. I don't even think that ball was catchable and there was no real contact by the defender.

I wondered whatever became of the "uncatchable" rule. That pass fell about 10 yards short of Bryant.

rhickok1109 wrote:

Apbaball wrote:Yes, my point exactly. Cowboy fans would have been upset and nobody else. Same would have occured if it was the Pats on defense; there would have been a huge outcry. Put anyone but Dallas and NE in this situation and there wouldn;t be half the concern since sometimes the best call is no penalty.

The Lions didn;t lose because of the Refs (they had plenty of other chances and could have gone for it on 4th and 1) or there is no conspiracy to put Dallas in the SB.

Today's call against Williams on the Cowboys first TD drive is another good example of why the best choice is often not to throw a flag. I don't even think that ball was catchable and there was no real contact by the defender.

I wondered whatever became of the "uncatchable" rule. That pass fell about 10 yards short of Bryant.

All we need now is Denver to benefit from the Tuck Rule

rhickok1109 wrote:

Apbaball wrote:Yes, my point exactly. Cowboy fans would have been upset and nobody else. Same would have occured if it was the Pats on defense; there would have been a huge outcry. Put anyone but Dallas and NE in this situation and there wouldn;t be half the concern since sometimes the best call is no penalty.

The Lions didn;t lose because of the Refs (they had plenty of other chances and could have gone for it on 4th and 1) or there is no conspiracy to put Dallas in the SB.

Today's call against Williams on the Cowboys first TD drive is another good example of why the best choice is often not to throw a flag. I don't even think that ball was catchable and there was no real contact by the defender.

I wondered whatever became of the "uncatchable" rule. That pass fell about 10 yards short of Bryant.

Yes, I thought that one was an odd call. They apparently decided Dez was trying to get back to the ball and Williams prevented that but it didn't look like a penalty to me.

Byron wrote:

rhickok1109 wrote:

Apbaball wrote:Yes, my point exactly. Cowboy fans would have been upset and nobody else. Same would have occured if it was the Pats on defense; there would have been a huge outcry. Put anyone but Dallas and NE in this situation and there wouldn;t be half the concern since sometimes the best call is no penalty.

The Lions didn;t lose because of the Refs (they had plenty of other chances and could have gone for it on 4th and 1) or there is no conspiracy to put Dallas in the SB.

Today's call against Williams on the Cowboys first TD drive is another good example of why the best choice is often not to throw a flag. I don't even think that ball was catchable and there was no real contact by the defender.

I wondered whatever became of the "uncatchable" rule. That pass fell about 10 yards short of Bryant.

Yes, I thought that one was an odd call. They apparently decided Dez was trying to get back to the ball and Williams prevented that but it didn't look like a penalty to me.

That was also the only explanation I could think of, but Williams certainly had a right to maintain his position between them. It's like the charging/blocking call in basketball; the defender doesn't have to get out of the way once he's established his position.

Two rounds of the playoffs in the books, and after each round the general conversation has been more about officiating and the rule book than the actual games. Unfortunate.

Reaser wrote:Two rounds of the playoffs in the books, and after each round the general conversation has been more about officiating and the rule book than the actual games. Unfortunate.

You're right, and remember, these officials were the best all year (for the record, there are 17 crews, and only the top 10 in each officiating position make the playoffs). I would suggest that a referee and some recently retired players made a video with many polemic plays, and that the networks showed them when a contoversial call emerges to educate better the audience. The truth is, the rulebook has become very large and complicated, and most fans (and even players and coaches) don't know every little thing that is new and could be present in every game.

Reaser wrote:Two rounds of the playoffs in the books, and after each round the general conversation has been more about officiating and the rule book than the actual games. Unfortunate.

It does take away from the fact that the games overall have been very well played by the teams involved. (Less astute) fans tend to focus on a single play but almost every game was winnable by either team in the second halfs.