Jerome Boger's crew is consistently an embarassment to the NFL. I know there will be a lot of discussion about the Cruz play and I'll keep my comments pretty short on that - it is probably the one call they actually got right! Cruz made no effort to advance the ball and I'm surprised the Cards are going to bitch so loudly on that - they didn't make a play - they are hoping to just be rewarded by another player's carelessness. That aside, the officiating was a joke.
- Opening kickoff, there is a scuffle after the play and a Cardinal player throws a punch. Giant who was punched runs off the field clapping, thinking a penalty is coming. None does.
- Second half kickoff - Cards return to the 27. Maybe this is where the wonders of TV make Boger look worse, but it is said that the Cards get a delay of game call. Ball is at the 22 now, BUT it is still 1st and 10. First down is a fumble, that I thought the Giants recovered (I might be wrong). Boger's crew rules the runner down, but spots the ball where the Giants recovered, giving them 3 extra yards.
- Coughlin is charged with a time-out even though he makes the call while the Cards throw a challenge flag. You are only supposed to be given a timeout if a challenge is made DURING a timeout. Otherwise, you are supposed to be give the timeout back.
- Snee was getting away with holding all game long, yet the one they chose to call looked like he actually erred by releasing the guy without holding, giving the defender a clear path to Eli.
- Bernard is called for roughing because it LOOKED like his helmet was going to strike the QB.
- We had a series where Snee and Hynoski were called for holds on back to back plays and on the ensuing drive the Cards visibly hold the jerseys of Joseph and Osi on back to back plays as they are releasing to rush the QB and yet neither is called. Both non-holds affect the play since the defenders were delayed just enough to miss a sack.
- Ball spots for both teams were poor, consistently being spotted almost a yeard from where they should have been. Even though it was a moot point, even on the review of Ballard's first possible TD, he is clearly at the 1/2 yard line or closer and they rule he was down at the 1.
Boger's crew needs to seriously be looked at by the NFL. Unfortunately, they will probably draw the most fire for making the right call on the most visible play - but if that's what it will take to get them out, I'd take it.
A bad, bad game where calls afffected both teams adversely.
It was strange that they didn't really show much of a replay on the fumbled ball after that. I can't remember if I saw a Cardinal recover it, or just assumed they did because of the spot of the ball.
The problem with the Cruz call is that he did advance it several yards and then had the appearance of tripping, not giving himself up. It was a borderline call, and I'm glad it went our way, especially since it was obvious that Cruz thought the play was over, so it would be a sucky way to lose on a technicality.
So, I think the 1st and 10 was the right call. It must have been that Jefferson spiked it at the end of the play.
--Cruz "fumble"
--Webster pass break-up on Fitzgerald to end the game
--Rolle pass break-up on Fitzgerald.
2) On the Bernard hit, I think Johnson and Goose at least acknowledged it was clean. His point about leading with the helmet was not that off base. However, the comment about Hynoski was just plain stupid.
3) There was a holding call against Arizona that Goose questioned what the refs saw, when the replay clearly showed the OL with one hand in front and the other wrapped around the back. This alone often gets a hold. The replay also showed, though, a handful of jersey in the back. It was a hold. At least they were inconsistent on holds for both teams.
4) The Cruz play was not obvious either way. In live action, it certainly appeared he gave himself up. In the replays, it depended on which angle you saw. But, that judgement is made in live action, so the replay is moot. Either way, Cruz was stupid for doing that, unless he really thought he was touched down.
5) FatMan brings up a good point about the spike. That delay is only supposed to be called when the clock is running, as I understand it.
6) That challenge was absolutely stupid by Wisenhunt. Then again, his coaching in the entire 4th Quarter was brutal.
He probably should have held better!!
He probably should have held better!!
...
(e) spiking or throwing the ball in the field of play after a down has ended, except after a score;
I think they got that one right.