Posted on 01/02/2013 8:24:42 AM PST by BO Stinkss
Fans argue all the time that a referee missed a call, but those arguments are usually subjective. The holding call that killed the drive might have been ticky-tack, but it wasn't black and white that it was a missed call. The pass interference that set up the game-winning touchdown wasn't just a phantom call - it might have been a tough call but it was debatable. You very rarely see a football official flat out miss a call. A fourth-quarter call in the Outback Bowl was black and white. There really can be no debate. It was a blown call like we've never seen a blown call. All the officials had to do was measure for a first down, and they got that wrong. Michigan ran a fake punt with a little more than eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, and the Wolverines made it close to the first down. Close enough for a measurement. The sticks were extended and the ball was inches short of the first down. And the referee confidently pointed a first down for ... Michigan? The South Carolina sideline erupted in protest. Coach Steve Spurrier jumped on the field right next to the ball and started pointing out the error. The call stood, even though ESPN's camera angles made it very clear that the call was wrong and the ball was short of the first-down marker. A second angle from ESPN, which it showed after a commercial break, showed that the ball was clearly a couple inches short. The refs flat out made the wrong call. It wasn't like this was a judgment call. They gave a first down to a team that didn't pass the sticks.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.yahoo.com ...
Read what I said again. I am not talking about the chain crew but about the ref’s placement after each play. That can be and often is off a foot or more.
Actually I am surprised how well they often do place the ball but when you just look at what you think is forward progress and spot the ball based on that it has to be just an estimate.
Unless you can guarantee that this pic is looking straight down the line to gain, its useless.
Why would the official rule a first down if he knew the ball didn’t get a part of the pole? There’s 2 other officials right there to correct him if they felt he made a mistake — the Back Judge who holds the ball down and the umpire who pulls the chain tight.
>>the ref’s placement after each play<<
Its called the spot.
Would you please quote the rule reference that dictates where the ball is to be placed. Include rule, section, and page number.
What the hell are you talking about?
How long before we have electronic sensor in the ball and an instant readout?
Proof that you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. My post was easily understandable —YOU are asserting the officials miss spots routinely by being a foot or more off. I’m asking you to provide the rule reference that dictates how they are supposed to make the determination of where the spot is. You’ve never seen a rule book in your life, yet you’re asserting that those who know the rules well are missing something.
So again: if you really know what you’re talking about, provide the rule reference that will prove what you assert. There is nothing unclear about this request: put up or shut up!
Wherever you stand on this argument, this may be the funniest (and cutest) discussion about this call (ignore the ad, it’s worth it): http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c4#/video/us/2013/01/03/3-year-old-gamecock-fan.cnn
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