Looks like all those whiny articles, TV talking points and narratives about how the Patriots "benefit from the refs/replay" might have culminated into a form of peer pressure and got into the head of Al Riveron.
That's how it looks. I'd bet money hat Goodell told Riveron to not over-analyze any questionable calls like that and just give anything to Philly.
I have never heard a commissioner actively talk about rule changes before a title game situation, so this leads me to believe there was some kind of pressure felt, but as we know, it's only tied to when NE is perceived to be "helped" by Goodell.
Not only that, the rule they are talking about is the "surviging the gorund" concept, which as NOTHIGN to do with proving final possession and 2 feet down.
If Clement had final control originally, he never would have shifted the ball.
The ball can move in your possession, but if it moves TO possess the ball, you haven't possessed it yet.
This isn't rocket science, but as we know, rules have been changed or altered for over a decade because teams can't beat NE.
This is partially why ratings are dropping. NE is great, people are bored, let's change so many rules to confuse our refs and customers, but it also allows are creepy lawyers like Blandino, Perreira, etc, all coached by Jeff Pash and other losers, to leave a grey area as an ace in the hole to actually cheat the Pats (or another team).
