[beyond the sea]

I also found it interesting that the refs picked up the flag on the apparent helmet to helmet contact on a pass play against the Seahawks defense

well then, Seattle got another break there then, right? That looked like a penalty should be assessed to me.

The Steelers had about five calls seemingly go against them, and Seattle had maybe about the same or more. All this whining about the refs is lamentable.

****

I'll say one thing............. offensive "holding" (linemen) should be redefined in the rule book ........ and they should also allow the defensive backs and others to hit the receivers until the ball is in the air ........ like they were permitted before Mel Blount and a couple others' overwhelming play turned rules on pass reception into a ticky tack activity.

And..... now that I'm thinking, an easy way to SEE and call a TD is to just write into the rules that a player who possesses the ball must have his armpits above or over the goal line. I can see it now ...... The Armpit Rule.

Armpits, you say? Yes, the armpits are easy to see from most camera angles. This sticking out your arms with the ball in your hands is bogus.

[frogjerk]

And..... now that I'm thinking, an easy way to SEE and call a TD is to just write into the rules that a player who possesses the ball must have his armpits above or over the goal line. I can see it now ...... The Armpit Rule.

So I guess the "two feet inbounds" rule goes out the window?

[kevkrom]

they should also allow the defensive backs and others to hit the receivers until the ball is in the air

I don't mind the "5-yard rule", but it needs to be consistent, i.e., no defensive pass interference unless it's more than 5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. I've seen way too many times where a DB or LB gets flagged when making their otherwise legal "chuck" just because the QB releases on a fast 3-step drop.

I'd also like to see more emphasis on allowing defenders the right to their own position -- if a receiver changes his route and comes back through the defender, it should be offensive pass interference. Too many teams are intentionally underthrowing receivers to pick up cheap pass interference calls because the defender is playing the receiver correctly.

[Hatteras]

"...well then, Seattle got another break there then, right? That looked like a penalty should be assessed to me."

Well then you'd be wrong. That was not a break for Seattle, that was the correction of a bad call. The refs converged and another referee with a clearer view said that the Steeler (Ward Hines?) was not contacted helmet to helmet by Bouleware so they picked up the flag. My point was that the officials should have converged later on in the game on the low-block call against Hasselbeck for "blocking" the guy with the freakin' ball.