League defends decision not to review Evans non-catch (Ravens Robbed)

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/ ^

[11th_VA]

Posted by Mike Florio on January 22, 2012, 7:47 PM EST

Reuters Shortly before Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff did his best Gary Anderson impersonation (to the chagrin of Matt Birk), Ravens receiver Lee Evans had the ball in his hands, in the end zone. But Patriots defensive back Sterling Moore knocked the ball out of Evans’ hands, and the ruling on the field was that the would-be touchdown pass was incomplete.

Though it wasn’t a scoring play, fewer than two minutes remained in the game. Thus, the decision (or not) to review the play was to be initiated by the replay assistant in the booth. Even though the slow-motion angle shown by CBS seemed to suggest that it may have been a catch, the replay assistant didn’t instruct referee Alberto Riveron to take a look via the on-field portable TV on wheels.

As to whether a catch was made, the standard is simple. From Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3, Item 3: “If a player controls the ball while in the end zone, both feet, or any part of his body other than his hands, must be completely on the ground before losing control, or the pass is incomplete.”

There’s no Calvin Johnson component. No requirement of a football move. Possession plus two feet down equals a catch, and a touchdown.

[Defiant]

Mel Grey was playing for the St. Louis Cardinals when he caught a pass in the end zone. I believe it was a game winner. He jumped up for it, but never got back on the ground. The defenders caught him in the air and carried him out of the end zone, dumping him on the ground outside the end zone. The refs called it a touchdown. It was a big controversy. In the offseason, they clarified the rule to say that the receiver had to touch the ground in the end zone. I'm not sure if that rule still applies, or if they changed it again since then.

I was a kid in STL rooting for the Cardinals when that happened.

[RightOnline]

"Sorry, get a life."

I have one, thankewverymuch.

"Your team lost fair and square."

They're not "my team"; never have been. Couldn't care less about the Baltimore Ravens (I'm in North Carolina).

" I know its frustrating but be a MAN and accept it."

So you're challenging my manhood because I know a bad call when I see one? You're a strange little man, aren't you?

"Had that been ruled a touchdown, the Pats would have had a real gripe that they were robbed. As it is, you don’t have a real gripe."

My "gripe", friend, is that I happen to know the game pretty darned well, I know the rules of a reception (both of his feet touched the ground while he was clearly in possession of the ball, in the end zone, confirmed in multiple slow motion replays from different angles), and the guy was robbed of a touchdown. The Pats got a pass here (no pun intended) in a big way.

It was a bad call. Now why don't you climb out of mama's basement, go find ESPN on the big TV upstairs, and watch that play again (no doubt it'll be shown over and over today), then come talk to me about "manhood". Deal?

[SamAdams76]

In just about every NFL football game, there are plays that could have gone either way. The zillions of cameras showing plays from every angle in instant replay magnify every controversial play and make it seem like one team or another are always "getting robbed."

One thing for sure about last night's game - the Ravens had a chance to send the game into OT and they muffed an easy field goal that your average high school kicker would have made.

[Loud Mime]

The refs were unable to make some necessary calls. The receivers had to contend with lots of contact; I won’t get into offensive holding. The refs didn’t throw flags for a fight, but would for the third man entering the fracas. The quality of play decayed as a result - it approached Rollerball.

Remember what Wayne Gretzky did for Hockey? He brought back the emphasis on speed and moves. Sigh.

I wish they would enforce the rules against the pass defenders. Contact means contact; you can’t touch the player after five yards. We’ll see more scoring on both sides - which will be good for the fans.

[RedMonqey]

I think the NFL is becoming more and more like pro wrestling where viewing audiences must suspend certain rational beliefs about how penalties and non-calls influence the outcomes so decisively.

I have noticed this phenomena. Small, seemingly insigninant penalties by Referees that effects the game, sometimes who wins close games.

It is said, much like taxes and laws, one can find an infraction on any play if one so wishes to.

While I think the ref was right on this call, other times one has to wonder if the they are truly impartial.

Of course truly great teams overcome such calls by putting points on the board.

I too, am an bitter clinger Cowboys fan(since 1974) I'm afraid the Cowboys'lots have been cast and Dallas will not Super Bowl glory as long as Jerry Jones insists on being an "hands on" owner. He truly believes it was he and he alone that managed the SB wins during Jimmy Johnson reign. And no quality coach will put up with his "guidance", hence the 17 years and counting SB dry spell.

And come Hell and high water "Captain Ahab" will prove he can have his "white whale" to the damnation of the team.

Just my two cents...

[Typelouder]

Thanks cripplecreek. I figured you were from Michigan! Sorry to hear about Victor Martinez blowing out his knee. He has such a nice swing and had some decent years for the Tribe.

[Popman]

——Who is this Wexler?-——

Welker evil twin brother with hands of stone !!!

[Popman]

——Who is this Wexler?-——

Welker evil twin brother with hands of stone !!!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Referee politics?

Maryland “Freak State” PING!