A Flaw in the NFL's Defense of The Call

[fball13]

I know this is becoming a dead horse, but here's an objective question that challenges the NFL's position on "the call":

If Cruz had 'given himself up', much like a QB sliding... then the whistle should've blown while he was on the ground and there should have been a personal foul on the Cards for drilling him when he stood up? You don't see refs ignoring hits out of bounds, just because the defensive player didn't know he was out or hear a whistle. If a QB slid, stood up, then got drilled, it would be a PF.

Of course, I would've had an aneurism if they had actually also called a PF, but, if they really believed their BS rule, then they should've called it. Especially the ref that ruled him "given up".

So, with this said, doesn't that mean that they decided it after the cards got the ball?

 

[Buckybird]

I know this is becoming a dead horse, but here's an objective question that challenges the NFL's position on "the call":

If Cruz had 'given himself up', much like a QB sliding... then the whistle should've blown while he was on the ground and there should have been a personal foul on the Cards for drilling him when he stood up? You don't see refs ignoring hits out of bounds, just because the defensive player didn't know he was out or hear a whistle. If a QB slid, stood up, then got drilled, it would be a PF.

Of course, I would've had an aneurism if they had actually also called a PF, but, if they really believed their BS rule, then they should've called it. Especially the ref that ruled him "given up".

So, with this said, doesn't that mean that they decided it after the cards got the ball?

The refs actually made no call & set up the ball to be spiked until Wiz finally threw the challenge flag. After huddling they covered their ass with the BS rule.

I bet if that call was inside 2 mins, & reviewed upstairs the call gets overturned. Refs IMO the majority of the time assume too much of what they thought they saw instead of actually what they did see.

 

[Russ Smith]

The refs actually made no call & set up the ball to be spiked until Wiz finally threw the challenge flag. After huddling they covered their ass with the BS rule.

I bet if that call was inside 2 mins, & reviewed upstairs the call gets overturned. Refs IMO the majority of the time assume too much of what they thought they saw instead of actually what they did see.

I don't think it would have been reviewable inside of 2 minutes either.

To the original point I don't think anybody actually drilled Cruz. Kerry Rhodes semi grabbed him but he didn't drill him, and Cruz was actually trying to get back to the ball after he saw the Cards go after it.

To me the question is did the whistle really blow? they said they blew it dead but both announcers immediately said they didn't hear the whistle until Marshall starts running with the ball.

but by now it's clear we lost the game and the NFL isn't going to admit the call was blown so what else is new.

 

[PJ1]

I saw Cruz interviewed and he said he thought he was touched and down by contact. Eli thought the game was lost and said so.

I don't need anything else to tell me we were screwed.

 

[fball13]

I don't think it would have been reviewable inside of 2 minutes either.

To the original point I don't think anybody actually drilled Cruz. Kerry Rhodes semi grabbed him but he didn't drill him, and Cruz was actually trying to get back to the ball after he saw the Cards go after it.

To me the question is did the whistle really blow? they said they blew it dead but both announcers immediately said they didn't hear the whistle until Marshall starts running with the ball.

but by now it's clear we lost the game and the NFL isn't going to admit the call was blown so what else is new.

Yes, Drilled was a bit of a strong word... but he was 'contacted', which in the event of a defenseless (aka - surrendered) player would be a PF. My point is that one can't exist without the other... if he was down, then it's a PF to tackle him when he gets up. Since that wasn't even considered, he was NEVER considered down by the refs, until after the fact.

 

[Buckybird]

I don't think it would have been reviewable inside of 2 minutes either.

To the original point I don't think anybody actually drilled Cruz. Kerry Rhodes semi grabbed him but he didn't drill him, and Cruz was actually trying to get back to the ball after he saw the Cards go after it.

To me the question is did the whistle really blow? they said they blew it dead but both announcers immediately said they didn't hear the whistle until Marshall starts running with the ball.

but by now it's clear we lost the game and the NFL isn't going to admit the call was blown so what else is new.

Doesn't the blowing of the whistle mean jack squat now...remember they changed that after the SD-Den debacle. Don't know how that impacts this play, but just saying...possession can change even after the whistle now.

 

[Russ Smith]

Yes, Drilled was a bit of a strong word... but he was 'contacted', which in the event of a defenseless (aka - surrendered) player would be a PF. My point is that one can't exist without the other... if he was down, then it's a PF to tackle him when he gets up. Since that wasn't even considered, he was NEVER considered down by the refs, until after the fact.

I don't know after I read your post I looked at the play again and I really don't think what Rhodes did would have drawn a flag regardless.

But I do agree with your point, that they weren't consistent with the call.

I just think the fact that nobody heard a whistle until Marshall had the ball sort of implies it was becuase they never actually blew one and the rule in the NFL has always been play to the whistle.

 

[Russ Smith]

Doesn't the blowing of the whistle mean jack squat now...remember they changed that after the SD-Den debacle. Don't know how that impacts this play, but just saying...possession can change even after the whistle now.

True but what I mean is they can't say they blew the play dead if they didn't actually blow the whistle. The NFL can tell if they did or not, but it sure didn't seem like they did, nobody seemed to hear it.

Even Cruz tried to get back to the ball when he realized what he'd done.

 

[Cards_Campos]

The NFL spent all night coming up with their it is a judgement call, and he had the right to call it that way. The NFL has abolished all judgement calls are were suppose too. No call in the NFL should be left to interpretation. That is exactly why the changed the you must have 2 feet in bounds whether the defender hits you are not. Remember the Poole catch against Minnesota(The ref THOUGHT he would have made the catch if he didnt get hit) They didnt like Refs judging based on THEIR opinion. Same reason they changed the rule on the ball must be caught THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS. SO you can catch the ball but if you go 6 yards out of bounds and drop it...The rule is Black and White.

Now the NFL is saying...ehhh He could have called it either way...and you know what...FU he decided the guy gave up. Deal with it...AH HA we solve the case.

See this is where the NFL is a bunch of BULL &^%$$ ego maniacs. If that was NE...That call get reversed so fast , Tom Brady's helmet would have been handed to him by an official.

REFS can't make judgment calls anymore..The ******** commissioner has made this comment a few times. Because what if he gets back up and runs....what if he fumbles.... Why make it a call that can go either way and let a REF DECIDE the OUTCOME you dumb idiots. NFL opens their mouth only to switch feet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cards_Campos]

A few more things.....If the Ref thought he gave up why not blow the whistle???

2nd what do you think would have been the outcome if he had laid there for 1 more sec and no one touch him...he then gets up and runs for a td and says no one touched me...you didnt blow the whistle!! See right there makes it a horrible rule.

3rd....The cardinals looked like they baited him to do that...if you look...3 cardinal players jog by him but the second he flips the ball 1 is on top of the ball and the other blocks Cruz?!?! hmmmmm

4th.....What if he tries to get up and gets drilled....unsportsmanlike conduct???

Dumbest rule just made dumber by the NFL saying...flip a coin and let tat decide since its anyones guess what a player is thinking at 120mph.

Dude thought he was hit and was down...made a dumb play not protecting the ball until the whistle blew...and was then handed a pat on his ass by the ******** ref saying dont worry I got your back. BS

 

[Buckybird]

A few more things.....If the Ref thought he gave up why not blow the whistle???

2nd what do you think would have been the outcome if he had laid there for 1 more sec and no one touch him...he then gets up and runs for a td and says no one touched me...you didnt blow the whistle!! See right there makes it a horrible rule.

3rd....The cardinals looked like they baited him to do that...if you look...3 cardinal players jog by him but the second he flips the ball 1 is on top of the ball and the other blocks Cruz?!?! hmmmmm
4th.....What if he tries to get up and gets drilled....unsportsmanlike conduct???

Dumbest rule just made dumber by the NFL saying...flip a coin and let tat decide since its anyones guess what a player is thinking at 120mph.

Dude thought he was hit and was down...made a dumb play not protecting the ball until the whistle blew...and was then handed a pat on his ass by the ******** ref saying dont worry I got your back. BS

I agree with everything except this...believe me there isn't a guy on our defense smart enough to do that

 

[Brian in Mesa]

I guarantee you if the teams had been reversed - it would have been a fumble and the ball would have been awarded to the Giants.

Sigh.

 

[Russ Smith]

I guarantee you if the teams had been reversed - it would have been a fumble and the ball would have been awarded to the Giants.

Sigh.

Cruz was on ESPN yesterday, they were talking about it on Mike and Mike this morning. he again changed his story he said he was trying to give himself up but admitted he didn't do it correctly and he probably caught a break. Then they had Justin Tuck on this morning, he claimed the Giants practice that all the time for hurry up drills(yeah that's why manning had his hands on his head and said he thought it was a fumble). not saying they don't practice it but again Tuck said "we got a break."

Not that the Cards defense did anything to earn the fumble there of course, but it was a fumble the way the game is ordinarily called IMHO.

My personal opinion on what happened is the refs thought he was down too. When they realized nobody had touched him they blew the whistle because they didn't want to have total chaos with the Cards returning the ball and them having to determine what happened. So quick huddle and they realized the easiest out is to simply say he gave himself up we blew the play dead.