Thomas says he didn't hear the whistle - What should the NFL do?

[fnordcircle]

I and everyone I was watching the game with did not think that David Thomas was trying to be cheap. Everyone said it was the right call, though.

David Thomas' back was to the play. It was a key play and his penalty was huge. If he truly did not hear the whistle and could not see the play then he was doing exactly what he was coached - play to the whistle.

So was it the right call? Yes, the whistle had blown. But if he didn't hear the whistle then it really wasn't fair.

What can the NFL do about this? Why not wire up every headset with a simple receiver for the ref's whistle? Give the ref's custom whistles that they push a button on and it makes an audible sound for the audience and also sends something to the player's headset.

There is too much at stake in a game like that for us to lose tons of valuable yardage because our guy didn't hear the freaking whistle.

 

[Tyler.Durden]

Then they couldn't fine 25 players per round $7500 thats $3187500 per regular season.

That's one heck of a christmas party.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Then they couldn't fine 25 players per round $7500 thats $3187500 per regular season.

That's one heck of a christmas party.

As a minor point, when the NFL fines a player or coach, the money goes to charity. (So, BB might have gotten a nice tax write-off on that $500K the NFL fined him.)

 

[Patslifer]

I and everyone I was watching the game with did not think that David Thomas was trying to be cheap. Everyone said it was the right call, though.

David Thomas' back was to the play. It was a key play and his penalty was huge. If he truly did not hear the whistle and could not see the play then he was doing exactly what he was coached - play to the whistle.

So was it the right call? Yes, the whistle had blown. But if he didn't hear the whistle then it really wasn't fair.

What can the NFL do about this? Why not wire up every headset with a simple receiver for the ref's whistle? Give the ref's custom whistles that they push a button on and it makes an audible sound for the audience and also sends something to the player's headset.

There is too much at stake in a game like that for us to lose tons of valuable yardage because our guy didn't hear the freaking whistle.

Great logic. Next time you dont see a stop sign and you drive through it, just tell the cop that you didn't see the sign. I'm sure he will put his ticket pad away and let you go on your way.

Your solution this this "problem" is laughable.

 

[Jared]

Great logic. Next time you dont see a stop sign and you drive through it, just tell the cop that you didn't see the sign. I'm sure he will put his ticket pad away and let you go on your way.

Your solution this this "problem" is laughable.

You'll get a ticket, but you won't go to jail.

Fining a guy for shoving someone after a whistle is the equivalent of sending that stop-sign-ignorer to jail.

 

[Patslifer]

You'll get a ticket, but you won't go to jail.

Fining a guy for shoving someone after a whistle is the equivalent of sending that stop-sign-ignorer to jail.

No it's not, and you are clearly to much of a homer to admit that Thomas screwed up and he cost us a win. Its not the refs, its not the NFL....it was DAVID THOMAS making a dumb play.

Btw, a fine is the equivalent of a fine. You remind me of the colts fans who used to cry about the refs giving us games.

 

[Schmo]

No it's not, and you are clearly to much of a homer to admit that Thomas screwed up and he cost us a win. Its not the refs, its not the NFL....it was DAVID THOMAS making a dumb play.

Btw, a fine is the equivalent of a fine. You remind me of the colts fans who used to cry about the refs giving us games.

Wow.

Just posting to see if you'll criticize me.

 

[kolbitr]

Great logic. Next time you dont see a stop sign and you drive through it, just tell the cop that you didn't see the sign. I'm sure he will put his ticket pad away and let you go on your way.

Your solution this this "problem" is laughable.

Stop being a ******* jackass. No one...NO ONE...cares anymore what our exchange student thinks about NE fans.

 

[borg]

I and everyone I was watching the game with did not think that David Thomas was trying to be cheap. Everyone said it was the right call, though.

David Thomas' back was to the play. It was a key play and his penalty was huge. If he truly did not hear the whistle and could not see the play then he was doing exactly what he was coached - play to the whistle.

So was it the right call? Yes, the whistle had blown. But if he didn't hear the whistle then it really wasn't fair.

What can the NFL do about this? Why not wire up every headset with a simple receiver for the ref's whistle? Give the ref's custom whistles that they push a button on and it makes an audible sound for the audience and also sends something to the player's headset.

There is too much at stake in a game like that for us to lose tons of valuable yardage because our guy didn't hear the freaking whistle.

"Us" ?????
I didn't know players posted here.

 

[LeonPowe]

No it's not, and you are clearly to much of a homer to admit that Thomas screwed up and he cost us a win. Its not the refs, its not the NFL....it was DAVID THOMAS making a dumb play.

I don't think anybody denies that, it's him getting fined for it that everyone has a problem with.

But you are clearly too much of an idiot to see that.

 

[JSn]

This kind of stuff is why the NFL needs independent arbitrators. There would immediately be else of these fines if the Commish and Co. knew their decisions would come under scrutiny accompanied by power.

 

[JR4]

This is a judgment call by the ref. In this case I believe it was a bad
judgment.

When a player has his back to the play and is sufficiently away from the
play and a shove happens within seconds of the whistle then the judgment
should be the player is not at fault for the extra shove.
If in the refs judgment the extra stuff after the whistle was a blatant
fowl then clearly the penalty should be called.

There is judgment in this call and the call on Thomas was a bad call
and it cost the PATs the game. IMO

 

[cavtroop]

aaaand the list grows...

This message is hidden because Patslifer is on your ignore list.

 

[Cartwright]

I and everyone I was watching the game with did not think that David Thomas was trying to be cheap. Everyone said it was the right call, though.

David Thomas' back was to the play. It was a key play and his penalty was huge. If he truly did not hear the whistle and could not see the play then he was doing exactly what he was coached - play to the whistle.

So was it the right call? Yes, the whistle had blown. But if he didn't hear the whistle then it really wasn't fair.

What can the NFL do about this? Why not wire up every headset with a simple receiver for the ref's whistle? Give the ref's custom whistles that they push a button on and it makes an audible sound for the audience and also sends something to the player's headset.

There is too much at stake in a game like that for us to lose tons of valuable yardage because our guy didn't hear the freaking whistle.

His back was NOT to the play. He came in from the left, he wasn't looking straight at BJGE, but the RB was at about 2 O'Clock on Thomas' dial. I don't think he heard the whistle either, he was making what he thought was a play. AT the same time, you have to have some presence of mind, some awareness, some anticipation. He leveled a player who was standing straight up, who was NOT persuing a play, a quick glance, out of the corner of an eye tells Thomas the play was over. He screwed up. Plain and simple.

 

[RayClay]

Shouldn't have even been a penalty. Touch football.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

You'll get a ticket, but you won't go to jail.

Fining a guy for shoving someone after a whistle is the equivalent of sending that stop-sign-ignorer to jail.

No it is not. If he got suspended I would agree. Fine for going thru a light after it turns red by accident, fine for hitting a guy after the whistle blew, seems about equal.

 

[mgteich]

Perhaps we need a poll
1) The rule should be changed.
2) Rules should only be enforced when the violation affects the game.
3) Rules should only be enforced when they are flagrant.
4) Rules should only be enforced for violations by non-patriots.
=======================
IMHO
This was a clear violation as interpreted by the ref.
This was a clear violation of the rule as anyone who watched could see.
This was a flagrant violation as interpreted by the league.
Fines are assessed for flargrant violations, whether called or not (especially for those not called)

What should the team do? Whatever they do to players who lose them a game through stupidity.

What should the NFL do to a player who gives lame excuses? Give him a bigger fine next time, and provide hearing aids to such idiots at player expense.

 

[PatsFan24]

yeah it was a bad play but also a dumb fine. i think most people figured he was not being dirty

 

[JR4]

I take back my bad call position.

After loading my DVD and reviewing the play, Thomas surely was at fault.
he was close to the play, should have heard the whistle and if not the
the play was dead and Thomas was in a position to see it.

The only defense I can give Thomas is the he may have thought
the defender was trying to pile on the RB and was trying to protect him.

 

[Hardboiled]

No it is not. If he got suspended I would agree. Fine for going thru a light after it turns red by accident, fine for hitting a guy after the whistle blew, seems about equal.

What's missing in this thread is that Thomas recieved a penalty for the hit. That penalty affected the game.

The question should be: Does he deserve an additional fine?