NFL: Giants would have been flagged if they spiked it

AP Via ESPN ^ | 1-6-03 | ANON

[Pharmboy]

NEW YORK -- Giants holder Matt Allen could not have spiked the botched snap on the final play of New York's loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

It's against the rules.

Mike Pereira, the NFL supervisor of officials, confirmed Monday that Allen would not have been allowed to immediately spike the ball because it was a long snap. The only time a player can spike the ball is when he takes the snap from under the center.

With six seconds left Sunday and the Giants trailing 39-38, Matt Bryant lined up to try a potential game-winning 41-yard field goal. The snap from newly signed Trey Junkin was in the dirt. Allen fumbled the ball, then made a desperation pass downfield to what turned out to be an ineligible receiver, guard Rich Seubert.

Fox commentator Cris Collinsworth said at the time that since it was third down, Allen could have spiked the ball, giving the Giants another chance at a kick. Afterward, on the Fox postgame show, other commentators agreed.

Pereira said the only other option would have been to throw to an eligible receiver.

[mr.pink]

But that brings up an interesting question: where were the ESPN dudes? .... Instead ABC grabbed up their college A game announcers, I'm predicting some changes to Sunday night.

I agree, that was the writing on the wall for the inept Sunday night crew...."Say goodnight Joe!"

[mhking]

If there was anyone better out there that was available, I'd can Fassel. He can't win the big one.

Got enough money for Willingham? [g]

[discostu]

Punters usually know who to throw to because of flubbed punts (or fake punts). Really I think it all depends on who's doing what, a lot of QBs don't like going out for figgies, some love it (some starters have even done it, Bart Starr if memory servers). The punchline is that lack of discipline took 15 yards (maybe 30 depending on how the rules handle fouls on both the scoring play AND the extra point) away from the Giants, and the snap blew chunks. Actually the real punchline is that the Giants went on vacation when they got the big lead, and thanks to the last MNF game of the season the Niners knew what to do.

[twyn1]

Don't think the Giants had any time-outs left ??

[mhking]

I think there may be a chance Kordell could be playing qb for the Bears next yr. not the Steelers.

Never happen. McCaskey (Bears president Mike, grandson of George Halas) would sooner grab the starter from Slippery Rock than to grab an experienced NFL QB. He's too damned cheap to do otherwise.

[John W]

Wondered about that too.And,Chris Berman said it was great to hear B.M.-could someone's initials describe them any better?-doing an NFL game again.Did B.M. ever actually "do" NFL games?I know he hosted NFL Today on CBS,but I don't recall him in an NFL booth doing play-by-play.Maybe,I just don't recall it.

[discostu]

Depends on if El had crossed the line and if Stewart had declared as an elligible receiver before the snap (I think QBs are like outside tackles and have to declare, could be wrong though).

[Lee'sGhost]

I thought it was interesting because I love it when Chris Collinsworth is shown to be the dolt he is.

[Alberta's Child]

It wouldn't have mattered what the rules said, because the Giants would have been unprepared for it anyway. The Giants under Jim Fassel may be the worst-coached NFL team I have seen in years.

And this is from a Giants fan who is not at all disappointed in the result of yesterday's game. That team was playing on borrowed time -- they didn't even belong in the playoffs in the first place.

[L.N. Smithee]

Don't pile on Collinsworth about this misstatement. Jimmy Johnson, who coached the Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories, concurred, contending that spiking the ball on a pre-4th down FGA when a bad snap occurs is 'something that you work on every week.'

[twyn1]

LOL -- But hey, didn't Shockey (the great) drop a pass for a touchdown earlier in the game?? What happened ? Did someone in the end-zone stands have kryptonite ?

[Jhensy]

You know how big an ass Collinsworth is? Giant fans are trashing him furiously today for his incessant bashing of our team...and Niner fans are doing the same, saying he's a Giant booster! (Yeah, right.)

He's a braying jackass. If a receiver drops a ball or a coach's decision doesn't work out, he's the first to shout, "This is unacceptable, he shouldn't be in the NFL, blah, blah, blah"....SHADDUP YOU FREAKIN' IDIOT.

And he thinks he's being "edgy" or controversial. He's just another smirking, knee-jerk know-it-all football boor who charms no one, like your drunk Uncle Fred who ruins any game you watch with him.

He's now the leader of the Jackass pack, along with Joe Theismann, Dan Dierdorf, Brent Musberger, Paul McGuire, and ANY of those Terry Bradshaw/Deion Sanders pregame show embarrassments.

[hchutch]

Ain't that the truth. :(

[clintonh8r]

Radio guys are much better than TV talking heads...

Jack Buck and Hank Stram (MNF on CBS Radio) were the best ever, in any sport, imho.

[blackdog]

The Raiders will stall late in the game. Their Depends underwear will become full, slowing them down. The Ensure they drink at halftime will leave them feeling full.

How do you know which side of the field is for the Raiders?

Easy! It's the one with hadicapped seating on the bench.

[mr.pink]

...any moron could see Randle-El was a helluva player but only the Steelers were smart enough to draft him.

The Steelers do their homework and always find gems in the second, third, and fourth rounds of the draft....I just wish they had found a corner in the last draft. Their secondary will be their undoing this year.

In `89, they grabbed Greg LLoyd with pick 6-a, with 6-b they grabbed Hardy Nickerson.

[Alberta's Child]

See #70. Those Giants didn't even belong in the playoffs.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

I'm predicting some changes to Sunday night.

ABC doesn't want the ESPN guys on ABC. Nothing to do with Sunday night. They just don't want to step on Bret's toes. Mike Patrick was saying this would be the case back in October. It wasn't a surprise.

[discostu]

I like Mike (the play by play guy), I even kind of like Paul (especially when he's mocking Joe), what's not to like about Suzy (cute as a button, knows her football, definite candidate for perfect woman). But the sooner theeesman falls under the production van and has his head run over 3 or 4 times the better.