LEAGUE ADMITS FACE-GUARDING SCREW UP .

[NateGrey]

 

http://www.crwflags.com/art/pins/sports/nfl/nfl.jpg

 

 

In response to an item in our Conference Championship Ten-Pack regarding a key pass interference call on Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs that allowed the Colts to complete an 18-point comeback and knot the game at 21, a member of PFT Planet has alerted us to a January 25, 2007 "Q&A" on Jaguars.com in which Vic Ketchman writes that the NFL has acknowledged that a bad call was made.

 

Writes Ketchman, in response to a question that chastised him for suggesting that face-guarding is still forbidden:

 

"Face-guarding was discontinued several years ago and I completely missed it. I talked to Dean Blandino in the league office and he confirmed what you're saying. Blandino, by the way, was in the replay booth at the Patriots-Colts game. Ellis Hobbs should not have been flagged for pass-interference. He didn't make contact with the receiver and in no way did Hobbs impede Reggie Wayne's ability to catch the pass. Blandino confirmed that the incorrect call was made. It advanced the ball from the Patriots' 19-yard line to the one-yard line and was the big play in a touchdown drive that led to a two-point conversion and a tie game at 21-21. Referee Bill Carollo made no reference to face-guarding in his explanation, but CBS analyst Phil Simms did. Apparently, he, too, doesn't know the rule no longer exists. The next time you hear a TV analyst say, 'he wasn’t playing the ball,' think of the Hobbs play, then turn down the sound."

 

Make no mistake about it, it was a key call. And, to their credit, we haven't heard a public peep from the "no class" Pats about the play.

 

Gee, what would Napolian have done if that phantom flag had been thrown on a member of the Colts' defense?

 

.....................

 

 

Bogus face-guarding call = 8pts

 

Non- call against Caldwell = 7pts

 

 

Pats got robbed . <_>

[redsoxrules]

so f***ing what it isnt the first itme that something like this happens

 

pats got robbed? no they played s*****, their the reason they lost that game, not that call

 

the raiders got robbed in that game in the snow , so did the seahawks in last year super bowl , the pats didn't get robbed of anything

[NateGrey]

so f***ing what it isnt the first itme that something like this happens

 

pats got robbed? no they played s*****, their the reason they lost that game, not that call

 

the raiders got robbed in that game in the snow , so did the seahawks in last year super bowl , the pats didn't get robbed of anything

 

 

.. Like I said ..

 

Bogus face-guarding call = 8pts

 

Non-call against Caldwell = 7pts

 

 

 

.. Good luck in the SB ..

[ORS]

so f***ing what it isnt the first itme that something like this happens

 

pats got robbed? no they played s*****, their the reason they lost that game, not that call

 

the raiders got robbed in that game in the snow , so did the seahawks in last year super bowl , the pats didn't get robbed of anything

Actually, the Raider's game was the right call by the letter of the rule, and according to this piece, the non-call wasn't. No doot aboot it.

 

I'm actually very surprised the impact of the disparity of the calls isn't getting any press. I know, I know, the Pats had ample other opportunities to win the game, blah, blah, blah. Fact is, the officiating on those two calls/non-calls played a huge role in the outcome. If the roles were reversed, and the Pats were on the beneficial end, I think we'd be hearing about this until deep into the summer due to the fact that much of the media is looking for fodder against the Pats.

[Rodney Harrison]

Better yet:

 

Reche Caldwell doesn't drop that pass, the game goes to at least OT.

[BudLight]

the coaches carry those red flags for a reason. It wasn't challenged. Does that mean Belichek also believed the call was a good call.

[ksushi]

Can you challenge a flag though?

 

And no, if Caldwell learns how to close his mits on the ball we don't go to overtime, we win. Period.

 

I would put more blame on Caldwell then the refs.

[Cocos Disciples]

You cannot challenge a flag.

[TheKilo]

lawls.

 

The way the Colts were moving the ball there was no guarantee you'd stop them anyways.

 

I thought Pats fans were above blaming the refs...

[See Red]

Probably just karma for the game Ty Law was allowed to hang all over Marvin Harrison.

 

I didn't think face-guarding was illegal. I said at the time that I didn't realize that it was. Definetely shouldn't be illegal, though, either way.

 

And on the no-call in the endzone on Hayden, I think that didn't get called because before there was any contact, Reche Caldwell put his hand on the shoulder of the defender. Should've been pass interference and had Caldwell not initiated some contact, probably would've been.

[ARod2212]

Patriots eventually were going to get some breaks go against them. Just don't go crying about it, because you guys have been fortunate to win as much as you did. You don't win 3 Super Bowls without a little help.

 

That said, I don't like face guarding. I think the defensive back should have to play the ball, just like the receiver.

[ORS]

Patriots eventually were going to get some breaks go against them. Just don't go crying about it, because you guys have been fortunate to win as much as you did. You don't win 3 Super Bowls without a little help.

 

That said, I don't like face guarding. I think the defensive back should have to play the ball, just like the receiver.

As long as there's no contact, what's wrong with it? I don't see why he should have to be looking at the ball as long as he is in position. And, the receiver's job is to catch the ball so he has to play the ball. The defensive back's job is to prevent the receiver from catching it, so he's playing the receiver. There's really no logical argument for penalizing a guy for being in position within the rules.

[See Red]

Agreed. DB's already have it tough enough. They already have to look back to see if there's a flag just about any time they defend a pass. If they're not making any contact, I don't see what's wrong with face guarding.

 

Perhaps the problem with penalties that referees never have to call is that nobody has any idea when they're done away with.