Let's be clear. Pro sports officials have a tough job. They don't get every call right. NFL officials get more help than most sports ( 7 officials on the field, instant reply, automatic review of all scoring plays, new this year). NFL officials are very good, even without the help. With all that said, the calls they get wrong or they don't call are unbelievable. Starting with the Tuck rule game 10 years ago all the way to today, the calls that officials get wrong show that many a time, the fix is in.
In today's AFC championship game, let's get it right. Cundiff blew the field goal. Baltimore should have called time out instead of rushing the kick or took the penalty and kicked from 5 yards further back, which would not have mattered (37 yards vs 32 in clear weather). But on the play before, a New England defensive back clearly held the Baltimore wide receiver's jersey before the pass came in. There was a official at the goal line who could have called it...maybe 2. No call. Should have been at least defensive holding or illegal contact, if not pass interference, and gave Baltimore a automatic first down. The play before that, the defensive back could have called for a face guard, but wasn't ( I wouldn't have called it). Still, he did cleanly knock the ball out on a pass the receiver should have caught..no question.
The NFL, through their referees, has been giving the Patriots questionable call after call, no call after no call and screwing over other deserving teams from advancing for 10 years (excluding the year when Brady was injured on Week 1, and that team STILL won 10 games and somehow didn't make the playoffs! Belichick should be a Hall of Fame coach for that season, even more than the 5 Super Bowl seasons, considering those circumstances), even after they were busted for spying on the other team's practice 4 years ago. Why? The Patriots are the ultimate patriotic team, especially with their jersey and helmet change and the events of 10 years ago. They love Brady and they love coach Bill Belichick, even if he does cheat and act like a donkey's rear (use your own term) most of the time. Now the Patriots are going to their 5th Super Bowl in 10 years, representing the AFC...instead of Oakland or Pittsburgh or Baltimore or anyone else. The fix is in and it worked, again. But as the NFC championship begins, you have to wonder...what will the Patriots do if the Giants win and get the Patriots again in the biggest game, on a neutral field, this time in a dome whether weather will mean nothing, and two full weeks to prepare? The Giants are clearly better and more dangerous now than they were 3 years ago when they stopped the undefeated Patriots in one of the biggest upsets EVER. Other than at tight end...the Patriots are no better than back then...just older. Hey, Pats, I guess you had better root for the 49ers, right?
In today's AFC championship game, let's get it right. Cundiff blew the field goal. Baltimore should have called time out instead of rushing the kick or took the penalty and kicked from 5 yards further back, which would not have mattered (37 yards vs 32 in clear weather). But on the play before, a New England defensive back clearly held the Baltimore wide receiver's jersey before the pass came in. There was a official at the goal line who could have called it...maybe 2. No call. Should have been at least defensive holding or illegal contact, if not pass interference, and gave Baltimore a automatic first down. The play before that, the defensive back could have called for a face guard, but wasn't ( I wouldn't have called it). Still, he did cleanly knock the ball out on a pass the receiver should have caught..no question.
The NFL, through their referees, has been giving the Patriots questionable call after call, no call after no call and screwing over other deserving teams from advancing for 10 years (excluding the year when Brady was injured on Week 1, and that team STILL won 10 games and somehow didn't make the playoffs! Belichick should be a Hall of Fame coach for that season, even more than the 5 Super Bowl seasons, considering those circumstances), even after they were busted for spying on the other team's practice 4 years ago. Why? The Patriots are the ultimate patriotic team, especially with their jersey and helmet change and the events of 10 years ago. They love Brady and they love coach Bill Belichick, even if he does cheat and act like a donkey's rear (use your own term) most of the time. Now the Patriots are going to their 5th Super Bowl in 10 years, representing the AFC...instead of Oakland or Pittsburgh or Baltimore or anyone else. The fix is in and it worked, again. But as the NFC championship begins, you have to wonder...what will the Patriots do if the Giants win and get the Patriots again in the biggest game, on a neutral field, this time in a dome whether weather will mean nothing, and two full weeks to prepare? The Giants are clearly better and more dangerous now than they were 3 years ago when they stopped the undefeated Patriots in one of the biggest upsets EVER. Other than at tight end...the Patriots are no better than back then...just older. Hey, Pats, I guess you had better root for the 49ers, right?
No comments:
Post a Comment