guiseppewv
01-18-2006, 09:58 AM
<snip>
The most egregious error was so bad the NFL even admitted the mistake, a blue moon event if there ever was one. In the critical fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers-Indianapolis Colts game, the Steelers' Troy Polamalu clearly intercepted Peyton Manning (and then recovered his own fumble) in a play that would have all but iced the game.
The play was called correctly on the field, but it went to replay for review. Even the most diehard Colts fan had to watch the replays and see it was an interception. There was no question. No debate. And yet, when referee Pete Morelli emerged from under that silly, replay-viewing tent, he – to the shock of everyone – overturned the call.
"The replay review should have upheld the call on the field that it was a catch and fumble," said Mike Pereira, the league's vice president of officiating.
Now, the NFL doesn't want to admit that some of its popularity stems from the fact there is considerable money bet on the games. None of it was mine, so I could sit back and just be baffled. Others were certainly wondering if a fix was in, either to help the Colts try to cover or, as conspiracy theorists love, to keep popular Indy in the playoffs.
<snip>
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AihbCkUQgiwgsbVTL4hZ40BDubYF?slug=dw-referees011706&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Glad they finally came out and admitted that they were wrong. :thumb:
From nfl.com -
NEW YORK (Jan. 16, 2006) -- The NFL said the referee made a mistake: Troy Polamalu caught the ball.
The league acknowledged that referee Pete Morelli erred when he overturned on replay Polamalu's interception of a Peyton Manning pass in the playoff game between Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.
Mike Pereira, the league's vice president of officiating, said in a statement that Morelli should have upheld the call, made with 5:26 left in Pittsburgh's win over the Colts.
After the reversal, the Colts went on to score a touchdown and a two-point conversion, cutting the Steelers' 21-10 lead to 21-18. That led to a wild final few minutes, and Pittsburgh clinched its win only when the Colts' Mike Vanderjagt missed a 46-yard field-goal attempt.
On the play, Polamalu made a diving catch of Manning's pass, tumbled with it in his hands and got up to run. When he did, he fumbled the ball, then recovered. Colts coach Tony Dungy challenged and Morelli ruled Polamalu had not completed the catch.
About a dozen TV and scoreboard replays indicated otherwise. Had the call stood, the Steelers would have had the ball at their own 48 with an 11-point lead.
"The definition of a catch -- or in this case an interception -- states that in the process of making a catch a player must maintain possession of the ball after he contacts the ground," Pereira said.
"The initial call on the field was that Troy Polamalu intercepted the pass because he maintained possession of the ball after hitting the ground. The replay showed that Polamalu had rolled over and was rising to his feet when the ball came loose. He maintained possession long enough to establish a catch. Therefore, the replay review should have upheld the call on the field that it was a catch and fumble.
"The rule regarding the performing of an act common to the game applies when there is contact with a defensive player and the ball comes loose, which did not happen here."
The NFL almost never makes public the result of its reviews, although it did three years ago, when Pereira said officials should have called pass interference against San Francisco on the final play of a wild-card game with the New York Giants. The correct call would have given New York a second chance to kick a game-winning field goal in a 39-38 loss.
After the game, Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter said of the ruling:
"I know they wanted Indy to win this game; the whole world loves Peyton Manning. But come on, man, don't take the game away from us like that."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello had no comment on Porter's statement.
In the past, players who have made such statements have been subject to fines.
LINK (http://www.superbowl.com/news/story/9168866)
The most egregious error was so bad the NFL even admitted the mistake, a blue moon event if there ever was one. In the critical fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers-Indianapolis Colts game, the Steelers' Troy Polamalu clearly intercepted Peyton Manning (and then recovered his own fumble) in a play that would have all but iced the game.
The play was called correctly on the field, but it went to replay for review. Even the most diehard Colts fan had to watch the replays and see it was an interception. There was no question. No debate. And yet, when referee Pete Morelli emerged from under that silly, replay-viewing tent, he – to the shock of everyone – overturned the call.
"The replay review should have upheld the call on the field that it was a catch and fumble," said Mike Pereira, the league's vice president of officiating.
Now, the NFL doesn't want to admit that some of its popularity stems from the fact there is considerable money bet on the games. None of it was mine, so I could sit back and just be baffled. Others were certainly wondering if a fix was in, either to help the Colts try to cover or, as conspiracy theorists love, to keep popular Indy in the playoffs.
<snip>
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AihbCkUQgiwgsbVTL4hZ40BDubYF?slug=dw-referees011706&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Glad they finally came out and admitted that they were wrong. :thumb:
From nfl.com -
NEW YORK (Jan. 16, 2006) -- The NFL said the referee made a mistake: Troy Polamalu caught the ball.
The league acknowledged that referee Pete Morelli erred when he overturned on replay Polamalu's interception of a Peyton Manning pass in the playoff game between Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.
Mike Pereira, the league's vice president of officiating, said in a statement that Morelli should have upheld the call, made with 5:26 left in Pittsburgh's win over the Colts.
After the reversal, the Colts went on to score a touchdown and a two-point conversion, cutting the Steelers' 21-10 lead to 21-18. That led to a wild final few minutes, and Pittsburgh clinched its win only when the Colts' Mike Vanderjagt missed a 46-yard field-goal attempt.
On the play, Polamalu made a diving catch of Manning's pass, tumbled with it in his hands and got up to run. When he did, he fumbled the ball, then recovered. Colts coach Tony Dungy challenged and Morelli ruled Polamalu had not completed the catch.
About a dozen TV and scoreboard replays indicated otherwise. Had the call stood, the Steelers would have had the ball at their own 48 with an 11-point lead.
"The definition of a catch -- or in this case an interception -- states that in the process of making a catch a player must maintain possession of the ball after he contacts the ground," Pereira said.
"The initial call on the field was that Troy Polamalu intercepted the pass because he maintained possession of the ball after hitting the ground. The replay showed that Polamalu had rolled over and was rising to his feet when the ball came loose. He maintained possession long enough to establish a catch. Therefore, the replay review should have upheld the call on the field that it was a catch and fumble.
"The rule regarding the performing of an act common to the game applies when there is contact with a defensive player and the ball comes loose, which did not happen here."
The NFL almost never makes public the result of its reviews, although it did three years ago, when Pereira said officials should have called pass interference against San Francisco on the final play of a wild-card game with the New York Giants. The correct call would have given New York a second chance to kick a game-winning field goal in a 39-38 loss.
After the game, Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter said of the ruling:
"I know they wanted Indy to win this game; the whole world loves Peyton Manning. But come on, man, don't take the game away from us like that."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello had no comment on Porter's statement.
In the past, players who have made such statements have been subject to fines.
LINK (http://www.superbowl.com/news/story/9168866)