NFL Officials got it RIGHT by overturning Cleaveland's first down (my title)

ESPN ^ | December 17, 2001 | Associated Press

[classygreeneyedblonde]

[TexRef]

Take your Cleveland-hating self elsewhere with your buffoonery!

You are incorrect on both counts.

The refs blew the entire process by allowing the ball to be snapped, which it is stated very clearly that once a play has been run...

You very clearly did NOT read the article.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

Well it's true

[TexRef]

The official who got the page "before the play" should've immediately began blowing his whistle for the play to stop.

Quincy "should've" caught the ball. Then it wouldn't have even been reviewed. Of course, he didn't.

ANYONE can sit back and Monday-morning quarterback (or officiate) -- of course, it's entirely different to actually get out there and do it.

[TexRef]

Is it legal to goal tend a buzzer-beater shot? I mean if the game is over, you can't be called for goal-tending then?

No -- the game is not over until the shot is either good or no good.

[knowtherules]

Funny that you bring Roe Conn into this. Isn't Gary Meyers (sp?) his partner?

Prior to tonight's game ESPN ran the ten worst fan interventions impacting a sports event. Number one was Disco Night at Cosmisky (old) park. Hosted by none other than Gary and his old side-kick Steve something-or-other.

[KSCITYBOY]

I have play sports all my life and have been pissed about the supposed injustice of a ump. or a ref. still I have never done more than say bullsh*t. The fans reaction was way out of line. Americans should save that kind of reaction for terrorists and those who support them rather than refs trying to do their jobs.

[TexRef]

I have play sports all my life and have been pissed about the supposed injustice of a ump. or a ref. still I have never done more than say bullsh*t. The fans reaction was way out of line. Americans should save that kind of reaction for terrorists and those who support them rather than refs trying to do their jobs.

No kidding! The Patriot Act passes, totally screwing the Constitution, and no one seems to care. But if it looks like the officials reviewed a play too late!!!! WATCH OUT!!!

[JMJ333]

Perhaps you should change your screen name to "cursinggreeneyedblond."

[knowtherules]

I still think you're classy.

[Chi-townChief]

You are correct - Disco Demolition Night at Old Comiskey was brought to you by Steve Dahl and Garry Meier. The scene that night was unrivaled for sheer anarchy at a sporting event (at least in the U.S.)

[is_is]

that is one of the longest replies i've ever seen from you....did someone touch a nerve....lol

[Poohbah]

Wow. We agree on something...must be something in the water.

[Tall_Texan]

**It seems that they did not have time to do that... Look at how quickly they ran, spotted the ball, etc. Imagine if you are the referee or umpire and are just getting buzzed a half second before the play is going off... By the time that you are blowing your whistle the ball is being snapped. However, the actual buzzing took place before the snap, which is what the rule calls for. **

That's why I don't agree with the rule that the officials themselves decide what to review in the final two minutes. They screwed the Lions twice on Thanksgiving, first by NOT reviewing a play that should have been a touchdown and then reviewing and incorrectly reversing a play where the Lions completed a pass for a first down.

The coaches should be allowed to challenge a call at ANY time during the game as long as they have challenges to use and this should include the final two minutes.

Bottom line - the officials screwed up by not stopping the play before the snap. Once it is snapped, they should have no recourse, just as they always tell the coaches regarding inadvertant whistles. A dangerous precedent has now been set to review plays even after the next play was run.

As to whether I'd be a good ref, I defer to former Oiler coach Bum Phillips when asked once why he didn't become an official he said, "because I cain't. I'm overqualified. My mamma sent me to school."

[fiftymegaton]

So are you saying that the refs should be able to review a play that happened in the first quarter while the game is actually in the fourth quarter?? THE PLAY WAS OVER!!! AND THE NEXT PLAY WAS OVER TOO!!!

[connectthedots]

Goal tending on a buzzer beater would not be legal because it would have still been a legal shot attempt.

[VaBthang4]

"ANYONE can sit back and Monday-morning quarterback (or officiate) -- of course, it's entirely different to actually get out there and do it."

Is that supposed to have some impact on whether or not the referee that supposedly got the page before the play shouldve stopped the play?

Hahaha...

[Chi-townChief]

Pretty good point. Mike Ditka brought that up a few years back too.

[JMJ333]

I must have missed something. Do we disagree often? :)

[rdb3]

Well, if the zebras would have made the correct call in the first place, we wouldn't be talking about this fiasco now, would we?

This is what kills me about this whole ordeal. Yes, the fans acted up. But, hey, Cleveland is Cleveland like New York is New York and Philly is Philly. But why do we read so much bogus indignation about the fans (who pay to go to the games) but not a word about the stupid refs who needed better glasses?

Refs are human, granted. But mistakes give benefits and disadvantages to teams, like it or not. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THE TEAM THAT TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE RULES AND ACTED ACCORDINGLY! This is what the Browns did, only to have it taken away when they were not at fault.

Get that through your head! The refs screwed up! Blame THEM!

E. 105th & St. Clair (ya know!)