Posted on 09/25/2012 10:45:44 AM PDT by djf
In Monday's game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, Seattle faced a 4th-and-10 from the Green Bay 24 with eight seconds remaining in the game.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson threw a pass into the end zone. Several players, including Seattle wide receiver Golden Tate and Green Bay safety M.D. Jennings, jumped into the air in an attempt to catch the ball.
While the ball is in the air, Tate can be seen shoving Green Bay cornerback Sam Shields to the ground. This should have been a penalty for offensive pass interference, which would have ended the game. It was not called and is not reviewable in instant replay.
When the players hit the ground in the end zone, the officials determined that both Tate and Jennings had possession of the ball. Under the rule for simultaneous catch, the ball belongs to Tate, the offensive player. The result of the play was a touchdown.
Replay Official Howard Slavin stopped the game for an instant replay review. The aspects of the play that were reviewable included if the ball hit the ground and who had possession of the ball. In the end zone, a ruling of a simultaneous catch is reviewable. That is not the case in the field of play, only in the end zone.
Referee Wayne Elliott determined that no indisputable visual evidence existed to overturn the call on the field, and as a result, the on-field ruling of touchdown stood. The NFL Officiating Department reviewed the video today and supports the decision not to overturn the on-field ruling following the instant replay review.
The result of the game is final.
Applicable rules to the play are as follows:
A player (or players) jumping in the air has not legally gained possession of the ball until he satisfies the elements of a catch listed here.
Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3 of the NFL Rule Book defines a catch:
A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) if a player, who is inbounds:
(a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and
(b) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and
(c) maintains control of the ball long enough, after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, to enable him to perform any act common to the game (i.e., maintaining control long enough to pitch it, pass it, advance with it, or avoid or ward off an opponent, etc.).
When a player (or players) is going to the ground in the attempt to catch a pass, Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3, Item 1 states:
Player Going to the Ground. If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete.
Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3, Item 5 states:
Simultaneous Catch. If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both players retain it, the ball belongs to the passers. It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control. If the ball is muffed after simultaneous touching by two such players, all the players of the passing team become eligible to catch the loose ball.
We need the real refs back. The Pats game was also a travesty!
The Packers DB was the one most at fault. Had he slapped the ball down - as they are taught repeatedly in training camp - Green Bay would now be 2-1. You NEVER try and intercept a Hail Mary in the end zone. They are told this constantly. Even a few fellow NFL players tweeted about it last night.
I loved that game, with the crowd's awesome "B.S." and "Seven Nation Army" chants. Love that kind of raw fan behavior.
I can’t stand professional football - too much flash & hype but more importantly the officiating is way too subjective. If they can’t get obvious calls right then how can there be confidence in the outcome of any game?
the officiating is way too subjective
I am sure the other DB in front of Tate would have made a play on it....had he not been shoved to the ground. Oh well, this could have all been avoided if the Seahawks had called their 4th and final timeout (snark).
Which is why I like it even less.
I agree with the Zebras being a joke.
At least there will be a job for Obama and Carter.
They can both get in the NFL under the new guidelines.
Well, many fans in my neck of the woods are still mad about the superbowl horror.
Should Seattle have won that game? Honestly, I’m not sure, but I think we were outclassed, and the Steelers deserved to win it.
But the officiating was so in-yur-face biased, it was shameful. And at one time, I seem to recall hearing an official call into a radio show and flat out stating that it was the worst officiated game in SB history.
“We need the real refs back.”
And when the real refs come back, we will see posts like this :
“Straight from the horses mouth... I watched the game and am unsure about the final play. However, I AM SURE I saw two, possibly three defensive pass interferences by Green Bay in a row that were never called. I am also sure I saw Seattle get called for pass interference when the player (who was behind the receiver) was obviously reaching around the receiver and trying to knock the ball away, there was NO WAY that could be called pass interference!”
And
“The Pats game was also a travesty!”
Pictures show otherwise.
Of course the NFL will “officially” support the refs. They can’t show weakness during the lockout.
>>Catch. If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both players retain it, the ball belongs to the passers. It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control.<<
The DB had control and was down by contact when he hit the ground, still in full control of the ball.
The league has clearly subcontracted either Axlerod or TOTUS itself to protect the fact the refs screwed the pooch (even if it isn’t a reviewable play).
Who you gonna believe? The League or your own lyin’ eyes?
The NFL admits that was pass interference. From the camera angle it was obvious. The question is whether a ref had a good angle to see it.
Chris Mortensen’s NFL Power Rankings (@mortreport):
1. Roger Goodell
2. Replacements refs....
31. Locked out refs
32. Fans
The final play is the one everyone will remember, but you’re right... there were missed calls on both sides of the ball, including the Packers’ one touchdown.
I’d like to think it all comes out in the wash. Thank you to the Green Bay fans who left our stadium peacefully and didn’t try to burn down Pioneer Square. Raider fans probably would not have been as charitable. (I can say that... born and raised a Raider fan.)
Anyone who thinks the Seattle Seahawks won the game have no integrity as a man.
F*** the NFL. Boycott begins now.
Football should be an aggravated Felony.
Who cares, it’s just a game for amusement purposes. If you are not amused find another hobby.
Who you gonna believe me or your lying eyes.
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.