Mike Florio on biased officiating, crowdgate, and schedule - New England Patriots Forums

***Rob0729*** · 11-05-2007, 06:52 AM

At least he is consistent in that he likes the side that creates the controversy:

Quote:

3. Pats have every right to be upset

Though the New England Patriots got out of Indy with a win, the NFL's lone remaining unbeaten team has every right to be livid about the quality (or lack thereof) of the officiating. The worst calls involved cases of pass interference.

It started when Colts tight end Dallas Clark mauled Pats safety Rodney Harrison in the end zone on a ball Harrison might have been able to intercept. No call.

It continued when Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel was flagged for interfering with Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez on a ball that was simply not catchable.

It happened again when New England corner Ellis Hobbs was flagged for interference after Indy wideout Reggie Wayne literally tackled him.

The worst call was made in the fourth quarter, with the Patriots driving and trailing by 10. From the Indianapolis 3, New England quarterback Tom Brady threw to Randy Moss in the end zone. When the dust settled, Moss was flagged for offensive pass interference, even though he did nothing that would remotely classify as offensive pass interference. While New England overcame the 10-yard penalty to score a touchdown, the victory was a lot more difficult than it should have been because of the questionable decisions of the officials.

So what gives? Was it sheer incompetence? Or have the Patriots become the equivalent of the Raiders in the eyes of the NFL and those who officiate its games?

4. Milli Vanilli moment in Indy?

In the past, teams that have visited the RCA Dome have questioned whether the Colts pipe in artificial crowd noise in an effort to disrupt the road team's offense. Though the Colts have denied any such chicanery (thanks, Tiki), the suspicions remain.

And the suspicions will only grow stronger after Sunday's game against the Patriots. During the first play of the fourth quarter, the noise from the crowd contained a strange effect. It almost sounded like my kid was working the "Whammy Bar" while playing Guitar Hero.

We don't know whether that noise could be heard in the stadium, but it was obvious on the television broadcast. And it invites speculation as to whether the Colts are indeed piping in phony music -- and whether there was a malfunction of some sort on Sunday that offered proof of it.

5. Why no prime time?

Many folks have wondered why the biggest game in NFL regular-season history wasn't aired in prime time, either as a Sunday night game or as a Monday nighter. The problem is, this is the third straight year in which the Colts and the Pats have met during the regular season -- and both of the previous two meetings were night games. ABC got the 2005 edition as part of its final season of broadcasting "Monday Night Football." NBC snared the game a year ago in its first season with the Sunday night package.

So fairness suggests this year's game, which started during the waning daylight hours of the first day of standard time, deserved to go to CBS, which also should have benefited from the ratings bonanza undoubtedly carrying over to "60 Minutes" and the rest of the network's evening lineup.

Of course, CBS will also get the eventual rematch between these two teams if they meet in the divisional playoffs or the conference championship game. And that's the game that could generate ratings that will rival a Super Bowl.

6. What about flex scheduling?

Some have wondered whether NBC could have tried to bogart the Pats-Colts game as part of its flex scheduling package for Sunday nights.

There are two problems with that idea. First, flex scheduling doesn't start until November 18. Second, CBS and FOX can protect a certain number of games from getting "flexed" every year.

Even if CBS had only one game to protect, it would have been this one.

While I'm on the topic of flex scheduling, keep in mind that NBC makes its first selection on Tuesday, November 5, subject to league approval. Currently, Chicago at Seattle is the nighttime matchup for November 18. There are several more attractive games on the slate that day, including Cleveland at Baltimore, Washington at Dallas, Carolina at Green Bay, Kansas City at Indianapolis, San Diego at Jacksonville and the New York Giants at Detroit. Surely, NBC will opt to air one of those six games.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=300221

mac · 11-05-2007, 07:30 AM

An excellent summary of the many questionable calls.

***Rob0729*** · 11-05-2007, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac

An excellent summary of the many questionable calls.

He did miss the non-call when Faulk was mugged trying to catch the pass and the catch by Moorehead where he was clearly out of bounds with both line judges right there that we had to waste a challenge on.

NYCPatsFan · 11-05-2007, 07:34 AM

Agree with all but not sure about the 'piped noise' based on what was heard on TV. He wasn't there at the game, was he?

Can anyone who was at the stadium throw their perspective?

NYCPatsFan · 11-05-2007, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob0729

He did miss the non-call when Faulk was mugged trying to catch the pass and the catch by Moorehead where he was clearly out of bounds with both line judges right there that we had to waste a challenge on.

The Moorehead call was unbelievable. Replays showed TWO zebras on either side running to the play ON the white line and they still blow it.

***richpats*** · 11-05-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCPatsFan

The Moorehead call was unbelievable. Replays showed TWO zebras on either side running to the play ON the white line and they still blow it.

Yeah, I knew the fix was in when that happened. They were probably hoping Belichick wouldn't challenge.

***psychoPat*** · 11-05-2007, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob0729

He did miss the non-call when Faulk was mugged trying to catch the pass and the catch by Moorehead where he was clearly out of bounds with both line judges right there that we had to waste a challenge on.

I know that Kraft and Belichick never whine to the league.

And it is probably the league that ordered this zebra farce.

But can't they do ANYTHING to try to see that such deliberate, wholesale malfeasance
never occurs in the NFL again?

***ctpatsfan77*** · 11-05-2007, 07:41 AM

I'm just going to leave this up. Note it's not a public poll.

I just want to gauge opinions, and then I'll offer up my POV later today.

abejarano12 · 11-05-2007, 07:42 AM

He is right about the flags. The one on Moss was just dumb As for piped in crowd noise I don't give a damn about it. All that mattered to me was that we won

RoughingthePasser · 11-05-2007, 07:43 AM

I started a thread last week that asked how the refs would handle this game.

I was absolutely correct and I just got done watching my film of last nights game again.

Now, its so obvious they were biased.

Plus, I didnt recognize a few of them.

They did a horrible job-but at least we proved that we were the better team.