Holmgren Takes Shot at Super Bowl Officiating (Steelers/Superbowl)

msnbc.com ^ | 2/06/06 | unknown

[beyond the sea]

(Snip) –

Seattle coach laments having to ‘take on the guys in the striped shirts, too

DETROIT - No appreciation or consolation in Seattle for the Seahawks, at least not yet.

Nope, they were still stuck in frustration.

The post-Super Bowl parties went into early Monday morning as the Seahawks at least tried to celebrate their season, instead of their somber Sunday. Later, coach Mike Holmgren tried to refocus the team, momentarily, on what it had done and what it still may do.

(Snip) –

And the Seahawks were still stinging from a few officials’ calls that went against them, such as Darrell Jackson’s touchdown catch that was taken away by a penalty and a disputed TD run by Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger.

“We knew it was going to be tough going up against the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Holmgren told the fans at Qwest Field. “I didn’t know we were going to have to play the guys in the striped shirts as well.”

[yer gonna put yer eye out]

"I'm just really disappointed in the refs is all."

I agree.
The "officiating" throughout the playoffs has been absolutely abominable.

[steelyourfaith]

What was the name of the individual who was making predictions of the Steelers losing prior to each game throughout the playoffs --- and then predicted that the ratings for the Super Bowl would be low? Does that guy ever get anything right ... EVER?

Super Bowl XL attracts lofty TV ratings

The Indianapolis Star
February 7, 2006

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl was watched in an average of 45.85 million homes, the second-highest total in television history behind the final episode of "M-A-S-H" in 1983.

(snip)

The estimated average of 90.7 million people -- or the estimated number of viewers throughout -- was the largest Super Bowl audience since the Steelers last played in the title game in 1996, a loss to Dallas that attracted an average of 94.1 million people watching. This year's audience was 5 percent bigger than the 86.1 million people who watched the Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles last year.

[merry10]

Small of a big man.

[merry10]

violin time for you

[merry10]

actually on Mike and Mike yesterday both Mikes said, yep there were some bad calls, but the seahawks did nothing to overcome those bad calls.

[kevkrom]

“I didn’t know we were going to have to play the guys in the striped shirts as well.”

What a laugh. For all of the supposed "controversy", there were really only four bad calls or non-calls in Sunday's game, and three of them went against the Steelers:

1. The "incomplete" pass to Stevens that was really a catch-and-fumble. If the whistle hadn't blown, Pittsburgh would have recovered the ball. Ironically, this call could have worked doubly in Seattle's favor, but Holmgren failed to challenge the ruling on the field --if he had, the Seahawks likely would have gotten credit for the completion, and gotten yardage to the spot of the fumble, since the whistle blew.

2. Hasslebeck's fumble that was recovered by Pittsburgh should not have been overturned. The rule for down by contact specifically states: "e) when a runner is contacted by a defensive player and he touches the ground with any part of his body except his hands or feet, ball shall be declared dead immediately. The contact by the defense player must be the cause of the runner going down." [emphasis mine] Hasslebeck was already going down on his own and was not contacted on the ground, therefore by definition he was not down by contact.

3. After Big Ben's second INT, he has clearly blocked in the back during the return. This would have nullified a big chunk of the return and tacked a 10-yard penalty on top of it. This clearly cost the Steelers more field position than the Seahawks lost because of...

4. The "low block" call against Hasslebeck. I know the rule is there to protect players, but he was trying to make a tackle, not take out a blocker. Bad call.

All of the other supposed "bad calls" were either exactly correct, or at least understandable.

[Ditto]

If he had spent as much time and effort managing the clock, maybe he wouldn't have to whine about the referees.

I heard one commenter saying Cowher was thinking 3 plays ahead while Holmgrem was thinking 3 plays in the past.

[Ditto]

...and they all went against the Seahawks

Really. Did you watch the game?

[Ditto]

"...and I have a relative who is the starting QB for another team. The whole family has joined in encouraging him to leave the league ASAP"

Huh? I hope the guy isn't foolish enough to give up a couple of million bucks a year by listening to his dopey family.

[beyond the sea]

They are indisputably the BEST team in the league. And given all this whining, I got a feelin' they'll be back next year w/ a chip on their shoulder.

Right on. The BEST team with a chip on its shoulder ........... I like that thought!

;-)

[beyond the sea]

Another example of how classless we have become. Lombardi would have said, "we played our best but it wasn't good enough", too bad Holmgren has to show what a classless jerk he is.

I hear you. Holmgren took a little of the low road.

****

If Holmgren had been a real man, instead of whining about the officials and not confronting his own inadequacies......... he could have taken after the great John McKay, who when asked by a reporter, “What do you think of your team’s execution?”

McKay replied, “I’m in favor of it.”

LOL.

[beyond the sea]

Well said.

[MortMan]

A thought for you, from your own homepage...

The truth exists even when ignored.

Neither team played well, but the zebras were worse. MUCH worse.

[kittymyrib]

In this case, Holmgren should have asked himself, "WWLD?" (What would Landry do?) "Whine," is not the correct answer. His bad calls with clock management at the end of the first half were worse than a high school coach's, but I guess he thinks no one will notice if he blames the ref's bad calls.

[beyond the sea]

actually on Mike and Mike yesterday both Mikes said, yep there were some bad calls

Which ones specifically did they mention ................. the Stevens (denied) fumble after the catch?

Are those guys (Mike and Mike) ex- pro players? I never listen so I don't know who they are.

[beyond the sea]

OK... I looked it up. Golic was a player, and a very good one. Greenberg, somehow I doubt he played.

;-)

[bray]

How bout we give the Seagulls a fantasy Lambardi Trophy since they really won the game! I believe Seattle's favorite phrase is "Scoreboard Babies"!

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters

[merry10]

I bet we can ALL agree on that!:)