Bringing up both the tuck rule and spygate in conversation is an obvious ploy by Ryan at stirring up emotions and controversy. Not to beat a dead horse, but contrary to public opinion outside of New England, that was not a bad call; it was absolutely the correct call of a specific rule. Now it may be argued that it was a bad rule, but it was the correct call. What would people have preferred, that officials disregard the rulebook in the middle of a game because they think a rule is bad?
In addition, it was not even an obscure rule; the same rule had been applied involving Vinny Testaverde in a game earlier in the season between the Jets and Pats. And as I recall, one of the analysts in the booth was saying that the league had gone over the tuck rule in the beginning of that season, and he knew the call would soon be overturned.
Perhaps Ryan (and Raider fans) should recall those facts, as well as Oakland's losses to mediocre teams that would have given them home field, their failures to gain one yard that would have clinched a win, and the inability of the Raiders to do anything in the second half and overtime. But hey, why let facts get in the way of a good story - or rumor - right Bob?
