NFL: Giants would have been flagged if they spiked it

AP Via ESPN ^ | 1-6-03 | ANON

[Pharmboy]

NEW YORK -- Giants holder Matt Allen could not have spiked the botched snap on the final play of New York's loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

It's against the rules.

Mike Pereira, the NFL supervisor of officials, confirmed Monday that Allen would not have been allowed to immediately spike the ball because it was a long snap. The only time a player can spike the ball is when he takes the snap from under the center.

With six seconds left Sunday and the Giants trailing 39-38, Matt Bryant lined up to try a potential game-winning 41-yard field goal. The snap from newly signed Trey Junkin was in the dirt. Allen fumbled the ball, then made a desperation pass downfield to what turned out to be an ineligible receiver, guard Rich Seubert.

Fox commentator Cris Collinsworth said at the time that since it was third down, Allen could have spiked the ball, giving the Giants another chance at a kick. Afterward, on the Fox postgame show, other commentators agreed.

Pereira said the only other option would have been to throw to an eligible receiver.

[walkingdead]

"Do punters know who to throw to? Back up QB's should know."

Just look for your color and a number in the 80's and you should be fine.

[clintonh8r]

When it comes to gushing and fawning by the announcers, Shockey is the new Favre.

[hchutch]

So, speaking of strange calls, what would the call be on this play:

Steelers vs. Bears, Steelers' ball on the Bears' 43, Bears up 24-20. Kordell Stewart, in relief of Tommy Maddox, takes the snap under center, and hands it off to Bettis, who hands it off to Randle-El in a reverse. Randle-El then fires a forward pass to Stewart, who catches it, and takes it to the end zone as time runs out in the 4th quarter.

As much as I'd hate to say it, it looks as if the Bears have lost this one in a heartbreaker. Am I right?

[BaghdadBarney]

"[The Raiders] got robbed last year."

Oh please. I'm sick of all the Raiders fans (half of whom are rented out every week from San Quentin) still crying about the Snow Bowl last year. Get over it! Your boys now have a chance to prove their not a washed-up collection of Leisure World retirees. The Raiders had their chance after that silly little play and couldn't close the game out. End of story.

[jz638]

Theisman would be tolerable if he didn't keep trying to predict plays. Not only does it take away from the game, he's terrible at it.

[ThinkingMan]

The Raiders will choke as usual- this year to the Jets.

GO BRONCOS (Although I am a J-E-T-S fan this week!)

[chimera]

Oops. Typo. Sorry...

starnge --> strange

[clintonh8r]

Like I said...Jeremy is apparetly the next Brett-boy...

[Benrand]

Curt Gowdy and Charlie Jones were great. Joe Buck always says "nasty"...he's annoying.

THey could have rekicked a billion billion times and that kicker would STILL have missed it, he is AWFUL.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Many teams are using the punter as a holder now. The qbs are a rarity on kicks.

[clintonh8r]

Joe Buck is no Jack Buck, that's for certain!

[discostu]

I liked the reminising, the game was all over by then anyway. But that brings up an interesting question: where were the ESPN dudes? Normally for ABC's wild card weekend double header the ESPN dudes (Mike, Paul and Buttface) get the early game and the MNF team gets the late game. Instead ABC grabbed up their college A game announcers, I'm predicting some changes to Sunday night.

[amused]

Yes, provided that Randle-El never crosses the scrimmage line.

I think I saw this play at the end of the "Water Boy" ;-)

[A Cyrenian]

J -> just
E -> end
T -> the
S -> season

Raidahs win 34 - 14.

[blackdog]

On the commentator scale, Collinsworth certainly scores ahead of Bob Costas, Jerry Glanville, Dennis Miller, Dan Deirdorf, and Chris Carter. My wife like him very much. Even when she has her eyes open.

[walkingdead]

"Your boys now have a chance to prove their not a washed-up collection of Leisure World retirees."

Isn't that the point I was making?! Geez, there's only one thing with more gal than a Raider fan, and that's a Raider hater. It's ok though, we'll all see on that faithful Sunday.

[motzman]

I'm so disgusted that I'm actually going to root for the Jets.

I'm sorry (and I'm not piling on here) but I think this loss goes entirely on Fassel's shoulders. He consistently squanders leads by going conservative. They Giants recievers were shredding the niners all day, and then the Giants O went home.

If there was anyone better out there that was available, I'd can Fassel. He can't win the big one.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Can't see any argument with that. Speaking of the dumbassed Bears any moron could see Randle-El was a helluva player but only the Steelers were smart enough to draft him.

I think there may be a chance Kordell could be playing qb for the Bears next yr. not the Steelers.

[CougarGA7]

I don't mind reminising. But not during a play. When a play is going on, even if the game is a blow out, I want the announcers to focus on the play. That's what I do. Thankfully there's a MUTE button on the remote.

[walkingdead]

Ah, a Bronco fan. Now here's someone who can talk. Those Broncos have been a thorn in my side for too long. Thankfully this year we snapped the cycle..... for now....