Posted on 01/07/2003 9:53:14 AM PST by blabs
And it wasn't exactly a "gift" -- it was a 47 yard-attempt on grass for a guy with limited range who had played almost every game that year on artificial turf. I remember watching that game and telling people I'd eat my shoe if he made that field goal.
Your memory is, of course, correct. (Actually, I wasn't aware that he had played mostly on turf.) And IIRC, he didn't shank it, either. The kick was pretty close. Folks in Buffalo were blaming Norwood for their team's shortcomings. Maybe if the kick had been a yard or two longer, Norwood could have forgiven himself.
A second lineman was downfield and was called for the penalty of ineligible receiver downfield.
The offensive penalty, along with the fact that time had run out, was allowed and thus, the game ended. A second penalty on the defense for interference would have allowed for the play to be negated because of offsetting penalties. However, this was not called.
The game cannot end with a defensive penalty (even in offsetting penalty situations).
Therefore, the Giants should have had the ball back on the original line of scrimmage for another go at the third down with whatever time (or no time) left on the clock.
I could give a rip about them or the Niners. But they did get ripped out of another legitimate try.
If it is the game I am thinking of, it was even worse than that. The Giants only had to run out the clock, but for some reason chose a handoff which was bobbled. The Eagles (Herman Edwards maybe?) stripped the ball and took it in for the winning TD.
Not the same game. The game you reference is called the Piscarchek fumble by Giant fans and Miralce in the Meadowlands by the rest of the NFL.
The game Alberta's son is referencing was during the knock down, drag out dogfights of the 80's when the NFC East was king. The Giants and Eagles had several crazy games during this time(sadly the damn Iggles winning most) including a 92 yard punt by Randall Cunnigham and the other mentioned scenario.
I think the Herman Edwards fumble recovery took place at the Meadowlands in 1978.
That wasn't fog...that was Dikta's breath. ;-)
Those Giant-Eagle games of that time were just downright bizarre. The Cunnigham punt, LT coming in with no training camp and racking up 3 sacks, Cunningham's leap where he somehow avoided breaking his neck, crazy interceptions and fumbles etc. The 80's were truly a Golden Age of the NFL in a lot of respects.
I still maintain that my introduction to media bias was the Sports Illustrated photo of Chuck Bednarik standing with his hands upraised and a smile on his face over an unconscious and prostrate Frank Gifford. SI and the other NY media played that one for all it was worth -- those ANIMALS from PHILLY. Of course, as Bednarik later explained, he had no idea his CLEAN HIT (not a flag in sight) had knocked Gifford cold. All he knew at the moment was that Gifford had fumbled and the Iggles (we too use that term, but lovingly) had recovered, and that was what he was reacting to. I still get angry every time I see that photo. I must say, though, that I met "Concrete Charlie" when I was a teenager. I was and am a pretty big guy myself, but he was far and away THE scariest dude I have ever shaken hands with.
But, you are right. Philadelphia and New York have had some amazing football games over the years, and I try never to miss them.
And, by the way, Giants Fans, teams that blow 24 point leads don't get to blame the refs when they lose, no matter how bad the call. But hey, I'm not partisan.
Look on the bright side. At least the Giants don't have to play at the Vet ever again.
"Nyaaa-Nyaaa-Nyaaa-Nyaaa-Nyaaa-Nyaaa!"
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