Posted on 01/15/2006 2:47:01 PM PST by jdsteel
Steelers stun Colts 21-18, advance to AFC title game INDIANAPOLIS (AP)
(Excerpt) Read more at media3.steelers.com ...
You know something? Reffing a game is a hell of a lot harder than it looks. After I did it I never criticized a ref again.
As a ref, you really want to do a good job. You don't take sides, you just want to do the right thing. The bad calls you make haunt you, as does the second guessing.
They officials did their best in this game. Since I'm not professional caliber, I won't criticize those that are.
oh, yes...
GO BRONCOS!
Denver has the whole thing, go get'um Snake.
In the words of the immortal Myron Cope, "Beat them bronco's their just yonko's.? Steelers by 14 in a cake walk. Plumper gets flushed down the drain............
I am sure it is. I know most of them do a good job. They are the arbitrars of "justice" on the field of play, and that makes them the object of wrath by players, fans, and coaches sometimes.
actually if you read the rulke they called it right. It was called an interception on the field and overturned by replay. The rule states, "for it to be a catch when going to the ground you must retain possesion all the way through the catch." Im paraphrasing but he didnt maintain possession all the way though the catch after going to the ground.
Not sure if we are talking about the same play. I watched the post-game news, and everyone said they botched the play where an interception by Pittsburg was rulled null, even though 100% of the commentators agreed it was an interception.
This is just a little of what has been said in the newspapers about this today. If you do a search, there are dozens of stories about it. I don't think it is settled at all, and had the Steelers lost, it would have been an incredible controversy:
It doesnt matter what commentators that dont know the rules say. All they need to do is open the official Rule Book and read the little note underwhat defines a catch.
If you want to know what the rule is watch NFL Network channel 212 on directtv on wendsday. The head officiating will be on like he always after ever week to explain calls, this call was explained lastweek. Tampa bay Non-called TD by Chris Simms same thing
The only thing that could have made it better would have been if Indy had been 16-0 coming into the game. It's not that I don't like Peyton or the Edge or anything, but it still fires me up to see those horseshoes on a helmet.
/Baltimore Colts fan
Did Cleveland get to keep the team name, its records, its legacy? Yes to all of the above. We Baltimorons did not. Raymond Berry license plates in Indianapolis is an absolute travesty.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2003/02/02/manning_vanderjagt_ap/
Vanderjagt THE IDIOT KICKER..... yeoooowwwwweeeee.
This was not a shock to me. I cleaned up nicely in the office pool. Manning is a choker.
Having watched a ton of football this year, the officiating in that game wasn't anywhere close to the worst I have seen...
But they did blow several calls anyway.
One more thing. Steve Smith for the Panthers is the most exciting player in football today. Yesterday proved it. Go Panthers.
It's going to be interesting to see if the Steelers try to show up in Denver a few days early so they could get acclimated to the mile-high altitude. That high altitude could wind the Steelers very quickly if they're not used to it.
"actually if you read the rulke they called it right. It was called an interception on the field and overturned by replay. The rule states, "for it to be a catch when going to the ground you must retain possesion all the way through the catch." Im paraphrasing but he didnt maintain possession all the way though the catch after going to the ground."
I am not a rules expert but my guess at the time was this, ...For it to be an interception you must maintain possesion when on the ground, he lost possesion as we was standing up and with one knee still on ground(technically still on ground therefore. When watching it on replay it makes it look like he was on the ground with ball much longer thane he was. It was actually more of a rolling motion seen at full speed.
Despite this, it is hard to argue with the logic that if he had not tried to get up it would have been an interception, since the ball came out as a result of his own knee hitting the ball that it was a fumble of an interception.
I think that the problems are greater after three days.
Pittsburg will just be sucking oxygen on the sidelines.
A lot of people think along the same lines as you on this topic. However...
The advice of most physical trainers I've talked to is that it takes a few days for the elevation to really influence your physical performance. They would need to show up weeks ago to really acclimate. Three days early would actually be worse than showing up on Saturday. They will still feel some effect no matter what.
For instance, the US soccer men's team adopts this philosophy when playing in Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. That sport is much more aerobically demanding. They fly in the day before, play the game, then get on out.
If you've gone to an NFL game lately, there are more time-outs than plays, especially in the playoffs with increased commercials. Players do a lot of standing around. There is ample time to rest and "catch your wind" plus there will be oxygen on the sidelines for those that want to take a hit.
Gawd, you're going to see a big setup of oxygen tanks on the Steelers sidelines this coming weekend. They'll probably use most of it, too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.