The officiating couldn't possibly be as bad as it was in the first game...right?

[Fixit]

The taunting penalty on Troy for tossing the ball to the ref.

The "illegal hands to the face" called on Vrabel when replay showed his hands never made it above the numbers.

The recovery of Dillon's (Maroney's? I forget) fumble that was returned for a touchdown without a whistle for down by contact. Belichick had to waste a challenge when a Pats lineman had been lying on top of the returner.

The pick in the endzone was down by contact, as well, because Gabriel's (remember him?) leg hit the Colt as he was down on the turf...that was returned to the forty or so, I think.

Also, didn't Caldwell get called for holding after Faulk got tackled in the backfield while waiting for a screen? That happened this year, but I can't remember if it was in the Colts game or not.

If it can be worse than that, I don't want to see it.

 

[Brownfan80]

I forgot how many bad calls were in that first game. Well, hopefully Corollo lets 'em play.

 

[richpats]

The "illegal hands to the face" called on Vrabel when replay showed his hands never made it above the numbers.

Those others, especially the Brown "taunting" call, could be simply chalked up to bad officiating or just mis-interpreting what actually happened.

That call on Vrabel, was so ridiculously cheap though. Seriously, what compelled the ref to throw the flag and call THAT penalty? He could have called illegal contact and just been wrong b/c they were close to the LOS. But 'hands to the face'?! A true phantom call.

 

[Michael]

Last year the amount of blatantly bad calls in the playoffs were so prevalent they became the story. ESPN, FoxSports etc. were all talking about that it was either corruption or incompetence and neither option was acceptable. I had a nice bit from ESPN about it on YouTube but, of course the NFL made YT take it down.

This year I'm pleased to say I haven't seen any grossly bad calls and haven't heard talk of any either. From what I'm seeing they must have decided to just let them play and try to undo some of the damage they did to the reputation of NFL's integrity last year. Let's hope that continues through to the Super Bowl.

 

[cstjohn17]

Some of the calls were bad, I think there was also 3-4 penalties on 3rd down that resulted in first downs. Goes without saying but... we have to avoid those mistakes. I felt the game in SD was well officiated, a missed call hear or there but they let the teams play, lets hope for the same this week.

The taunting penalty on Troy for tossing the ball to the ref.

The "illegal hands to the face" called on Vrabel when replay showed his hands never made it above the numbers.

The recovery of Dillon's (Maroney's? I forget) fumble that was returned for a touchdown without a whistle for down by contact. Belichick had to waste a challenge when a Pats lineman had been lying on top of the returner.

The pick in the endzone was down by contact, as well, because Gabriel's (remember him?) leg hit the Colt as he was down on the turf...that was returned to the forty or so, I think.

Also, didn't Caldwell get called for holding after Faulk got tackled in the backfield while waiting for a screen? That happened this year, but I can't remember if it was in the Colts game or not.

If it can be worse than that, I don't want to see it.

 

[PatsSox363804]

The officiating has been good so far from everything I've seen. I haven't seen any blatantly bad missed calls (although picking up the flag against LTs facemask was sort of lame) and I haven't seen any phantom calls either. Some Philly fans will tell you that the contact penalty on Jones was a bad call, but it wasn't I saw it live, and other than that I haven't heard any complaints from losing teams.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

This year I'm pleased to say I haven't seen any grossly bad calls and haven't heard talk of any either.

There have been tons of horrible calls. Just ask Bill Polian!

 

[Brownfan80]

Last year the amount of blatantly bad calls in the playoffs were so prevalent they became the story. ESPN, FoxSports etc. were all talking about that it was either corruption or incompetence and neither option was acceptable. I had a nice bit from ESPN about it on YouTube but, of course the NFL made YT take it down.

This year I'm pleased to say I haven't seen any grossly bad calls and haven't heard talk of any either. From what I'm seeing they must have decided to just let them play and try to undo some of the damage they did to the reputation of NFL's integrity last year. Let's hope that continues through to the Super Bowl.

I heard about some bad calls in the NO/Phi game, and there were a few in our game that weren't that major (Ie the Colvin facemask/not facemask thing etc), but overall I think it has been much better this season than last.

Hopefully that continues in the Championship games this weekend.

 

[Michael]

There have been tons of horrible calls. Just ask Bill Polian!

I should also clarify that when I say this year I mean the playoffs not the entire season. We need only look at the Pats Chicago game to see some pretty bad officiating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRvQU27h8rQ

 

[richpats]

I heard about some bad calls in the NO/Phi game, and there were a few in our game that weren't that major (Ie the Colvin facemask/not facemask thing etc), but overall I think it has been much better this season than last.

Hopefully that continues in the Championship games this weekend.

I think one non-call that restored my faith in the officiating was on the "flop" by Rivers. Like the Brown "taunting" call, if you just look at the end result then it may have been warranted. But using common sense, the ref knew that our guy's intention wasn't to hit Rivers late (or simply, he knew that Rivers was acting for an extra 15 yds).

In that Indy game, common sense from the ref would have told him that "hey, I'm standing NEXT to a player, maybe that ball was intended for ME."

 

[oldskool138]

I think one non-call that restored my faith in the officiating was on the "flop" by Rivers. Like the Brown "taunting" call, if you just look at the end result then it may have been warranted. But using common sense, the ref knew that our guy's intention wasn't to hit Rivers late (or simply, he knew that Rivers was acting for an extra 15 yds).

In that Indy game, common sense from the ref would have told him that "hey, I'm standing NEXT to a player, maybe that ball was intended for ME."

The one phantom call that ruined my faith in the officiating was the Wilfork "Roughing the Passer" penalty. I mean, come ON! I read an article this morning that says that this ref likes to let the boys play football. But, since they're in the House that NaPolian built, I think some questionable calls will go against the Blue and Silver.

 

[richpats]

The one phantom call that ruined my faith in the officiating was the Wilfork "Roughing the Passer" penalty. I mean, come ON! I read an article this morning that says that this ref likes to let the boys play football. But, since they're in the House that NaPolian built, I think some questionable calls will go against the Blue and Silver.

In situations like the Wilfork call, I think a ref can take the intent of the rule too seriously. "Roughing the Passer" has been emphasized with the intent of protecting the QB. Though Wilfork didn't really intend to "rough" Harrington, the QB had been "roughed", and the protection under NFL rules had been compromised. So then you have a flag.

It goes both ways though. In the Jax game, a Jags player taps Brady on the chest after the throw and Brady takes a couple steps back at most. Was Brady "roughed" up? No, but the protection he is granted by the rulebook was compromised, so a flag is thrown.

 

[GinoCappelletti]

In situations like the Wilfork call, I think a ref can take the intent of the rule too seriously. "Roughing the Passer" has been emphasized with the intent of protecting the QB. Though Wilfork didn't really intend to "rough" Harrington, the QB had been "roughed", and the protection under NFL rules had been compromised. So then you have a flag.

It goes both ways though. In the Jax game, a Jags player taps Brady on the chest after the throw and Brady takes a couple steps back at most. Was Brady "roughed" up? No, but the protection he is granted by the rulebook was compromised, so a flag is thrown.

I think they should make Roughing the Passer similar to the Facemask rule. If the QB's protection is compromised under the rule but its clear there was no malicious intnent it should be a 5 yard penalty (and no automatic 1st Down). If it is malicious intnent call the personal foul 15 yards automatic first down.

 

[Oswlek]

I think one non-call that restored my faith in the officiating was on the "flop" by Rivers. Like the Brown "taunting" call, if you just look at the end result then it may have been warranted. But using common sense, the ref knew that our guy's intention wasn't to hit Rivers late (or simply, he knew that Rivers was acting for an extra 15 yds).

In that Indy game, common sense from the ref would have told him that "hey, I'm standing NEXT to a player, maybe that ball was intended for ME."

1) Warren was actually spun into Rivers by the OL. On top of that, Rivers waited a full second after he was hit to fall to the ground.

2) Re: Brown. The ball was actually intended for the ballboy because it was a catch that tied the NE reception record. Frankly, it is even more astounding that the call was made under those circumstances.

 

[Oswlek]

In situations like the Wilfork call, I think a ref can take the intent of the rule too seriously. "Roughing the Passer" has been emphasized with the intent of protecting the QB. Though Wilfork didn't really intend to "rough" Harrington, the QB had been "roughed", and the protection under NFL rules had been compromised. So then you have a flag.

It goes both ways though. In the Jax game, a Jags player taps Brady on the chest after the throw and Brady takes a couple steps back at most. Was Brady "roughed" up? No, but the protection he is granted by the rulebook was compromised, so a flag is thrown.

I see what you are saying, but there is no way that Harrington would have even been considered "roughed" by someone who didn't have their head up their arse.

The only way that I can see that call making any sense was if the ref wasn't even watching the play, saw Harrington on the ground with WIlfork nearby and assumed something happened.

 

[RayClay]

I have noticed good officiating in the Playoffs.

I think it was the Jets game, the crew Chief, who I didn't recognize, was crisp, efficient and focused and that usually augurs well for the officiating.

"Muscles" crews, (you know who I mean) are usually good for that reason.

The opposite result often comes from a couple of the older criew chiefs.

I don't know their names, but when I see one of them I recognize, I know I'm in for a long game.

Their bumbling and indecision has a ripple effect so that all the calls and replay judgements are confused and panicky.