Did the Cardinals get Screwed?
by KevinE on Feb 3, 2009 8:11 AM EST
29 comments
There has been a lot of talk if the NFL officials assisted the Steelers in their Super Bowl Victory. Our SBNation's Revenge of the Birds wrote about it, as did the Bleacher Report. There were a LOT of arguments made that the last Super Bowl the Steelers won against the Seahawks was the worst officiated Super Bowl of all-time in favor of the terrible towels. Some of the questionable calls of Super Bowl XLIII include:
No penalty when Santonio Holmes did his post-TD celebration using the football as a prop.
Roughing the holder on a kick. Adrian Wilson clearly did not try it. Shouldn't that have been possibly a five-yard penalty?
A 15-yard facemask was called against, if I recall, Rodgers-Cromartie against Holmes, when both were grabbing each other's facemask, yet there was still no "head-turning" that occurred. Therefore, there never should have been a call. The rulebook states the player's head has to be jerked or moved in order to call a 15-yard penalty
Not going to instant replay on the final play of the game regarding Kurt Warner's fumble/pass incompletion.
A couple of these seem stretches to me, but the glaring two are the missed celebratory TD penalty on Santonio and the decision not to go to instant replay on the final turnover. The PTI guys said last night that the booth actually did take a quick review of the final play while teams were changing sides and that to them, they saw it as a fumble, so hence no need to call it down to the lead official. That is idiotic in my mind. We need games that don't end in controversy. Take the extra 2 minutes to review it and get it right.
The missed Holmes celebratory penalty ended up being HUGE. That 15-yard penalty would have meant MUCH better starting field position for the Cards, who had two time outs left. Instead, they had to start from their own 23.
What do you think? Do the Cards' fans have a legit case the NFL/refs favor the yellow and black, or are they just whining? I was at a club with 1000 people so my attention was not on the TV as much as it should have. The 2 articles mentioned above only mention the missed penalties favoring the Cards. Did the Steelers have any ludicrous calls go against them?
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Not a fumble
The NFL released a statement about how they reviewed it, it was not a fumble, and there was no need to call the play down to the ref. So I guess it’s a non-issue. It did look like a fumble to me.
by KevinE on Feb 3, 2009 8:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
that's called post-hoc rationalization
Of course the league released a statement confirming the ruling on the field. Shocker. It’s at best a debatable point, and reasonable people can disagree, which is why it was so important that the officials on the field stop and take the time to have the booth take an extra long look at it. If the ruling had come down from the booth after a game-stoppage review that it was a fumble, it wouldn’t be as much of a problem.
by artmonk4ever on Feb 3, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
NFL's sticking up for their officials.
The league always does that, unless the call is obviously, blatantly, painfully wrong. (Like the Chargers-Broncs game)
"Of course, it’s downright frightening to imagine how two Adam Dunns would turn the double play." - Joe Posnanski
by DbacksSkins on Feb 3, 2009 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dansby's roughing the passer
What about this 15 yard penalty? Same drive as Rodgers-Cromartie’s facemask and Wilson’s running into the kicker. That’s 45 yards in penalties that the World Champs got on that drive.
by artmonk4ever on Feb 3, 2009 12:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
stats
Penalties-Yards: 7-56(PIT) versus 11-106 (ARI).
It kind of goes with any sport whoever has more penalty yards against will claim bad officiating. The 15-yard flags tho…hmm…Tim donaghy anyone?
by KevinE on Feb 3, 2009 1:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What I think
Wilsons Personal foul – Wilson clearly looked as if he was trying to slow down but couldnt control himself. Terrible call. but the end result each time was a successful field goal. (correct me if i am wrong i am not 100%)
The 15 yard facemask – I personally cannot recall this very well
Warners fumble – It was so close that it should definitely have been looked at esspecially considering the circumstances. but in the end it was such a close call that, if i were a ref, i would have stayed with the ruling on the feild. I believe that unless there is substantial evidence that the call was wrong the call should stay the same.
so none of these calls really killed the cards but…
Holmes TD celebration – this should have tacked on 15 yards to the kick off. Its simple you cant use the ball as a prop. if this got called, completely different ballgame. Think about it. The cardinals complete the 2 short passes that they did in the game. Then on the warner fumble, rather than waiting in the backfield for someone in either the endzone or the sideline, he can throw an itermediate/ semi-deep pass to either Fitz or Boldin. Knowing Fitz, he would be coming down with that ball with about :03 left to play.
by gdizzle320 on Feb 3, 2009 1:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
ridiculous
Yes, that Warner fumble should have been reviewed. But the great tuck rule states that the ball has to come back down to the belt for it to be considered a fumble, which it did. Yes it should have been reviewed, but it still would have been upheld. The only effect it would have had is to give a little less ammunition to people who always want to blame the refs for a loss. It is clear you are not a fan of the Steelers and wanted the Cards to win.
I try as hard as I can to not be a homer fan, and yes some calls went the Steelers way. The roughing the holder penalty was lame. But to say that the Cards got jobbed? Did you see the barely there, squint to see, slight holding penalty in the end zone that negated a first down, gave the Cards 2 points and basically kept the them alive to even have a shot at the win??? Please, Harrison has been held all year and all post season, including the Super Bowl.
And as a true football fan, its apalling that you are rooting for an unsportsman like penalty for Holmes use of the football. That is literally the absolute worst penalty in the rulebook and I would never want my team to have an extra 15 yds to possibly win a SB with help from a piece of shit rule like the excessive celebration penalty. I can honestly say that I have never yelled at the TV – “What the hell? Excessive celebration!” The fact that you call that the HUGE is an absolute joke. I have had a ton of respect for many of the posters from this site, but your dislike of the Steelers is painfully obvious. I hate the Ravens more than any other team in sports, but I didn’t sit there and try to downgrade their win in the Super Bowl by crying about officials.
by steelerark on Feb 3, 2009 3:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
you know
as i reread my response it sounds kind of harsh, and for that I’m sorry. Its just that, as a fan, it is tiring to hear people degrade your team’s win and such a fantastic finish by saying they had help from the refs. There were bad calls on both sides, but I certainly don’t thats why we won. That’s the main reason I wan’ted them to review that fumble.
I just hate the excessive celebration penalty and you’re the fourth site I’ve seen talk about it. It is shocking to me that people think that that is a good rule. Who cares? Who cares if TO or CJ make fools of themselves in the endzone after a score? And Santonio wasn’t even being cocky, he was just paying tribute to LeBron, someone whom he holds in high esteem.
Anyway, sorry for the tone of the previous tone.
by steelerark on Feb 3, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Easy fella!
Yea, I hear we’re you are coming from. To start with, I don’t hate the Steelers. They know how to build a franchise and all of their players are solid individuals on and off the field (Santonio and Jeff Reed aside, but that’s nothing compared to real egos like TO, and any Bengal). The Rooney family is the template for a fantastic owner.
Having said that, you missed my argument. I am arguing what the rule book says. I don’t agree with the celebratory rule..I in fact love them. But rules are rules. That was my point. 15 yards for ARI is a fact.
by KevinE on Feb 3, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
truthfully
I realized your point after I shot off my mouth, that was the main reason for my apology. I admit I’m just hyper sensitive to what I’ve seen lately in that there are many saying that the refs helped us win the game. Again, apologies…
Oh, and btw, I love the developing Crosby/Ovechkin rivalry.
by steelerark on Feb 3, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey steelerark!
The refs helped you win the game.
;-)
"Of course, it’s downright frightening to imagine how two Adam Dunns would turn the double play." - Joe Posnanski
by DbacksSkins on Feb 3, 2009 7:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No worries
i do it all the time too.
People like underdogs so Steeler nation has to learn to deal with what comes w/ a win as a favorite…there’s gonna be bitching. Just keep partying and stay off all blogs for a couple days.
by KevinE on Feb 3, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What a calm group
I haven’t visited Hog Haven before and am pleasantly surprised that you’re such a civil bunch. But you’re absolutely correct about the Steeler haters. In fact in a recent analysis of fans of each NFL team (in which the Steelers won 1st place) one of the ratings criteria was how much other fans hated your fans. The Steelers received the highest possible rating. Things are so bad on one blog that they’re still declaring how they “raped” the Steelers near the end of the season, were the “best” team, and should clearly have been the AFC rep last Sunday. Dare to mention “the Towel” and/or the poser blue one they came out with two weeks later and you’ve got a ballistic situation. So thanks for being so friendly to talk to and I’m going off to read about the Steeler’s victory parade today.
by steelcurtain2 on Feb 3, 2009 8:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like
a Titans website.
By the way, the AZSnakepit does not take responsibility for, nor condone, any alcohol-related accidents or injuries incurred, directly or indirectly, as a result of reading this website.
by DbacksSkins on Feb 16, 2009 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If you run through the holder, that is a penalty every time. It is absurd that so many people are questioning that call.
The roughing the passer penalty was lame, but they make those calls all the time. I don’t like it, but I wasn’t surprised that it was called.
That was clearly holding in the end zone on the safety. He tackled him. Good call.
Fitzgerald dropped the ball on his first touchdown. I haven’t seen anyone talking about this for some reason.
Pittsburgh Lumber Co.
http://mvn.com/pittsburghlumberco
by MBandi on Feb 3, 2009 4:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
"Pittsburgh Lumber Co."?
There’s a lumber company in Pittsburgh? So when you tell the ladies you work in the lumber yard and not a steel mill….do they laugh at you?
by KevinE on Feb 3, 2009 10:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah..that first TD by Fitz was a incomplete
Fitzgerald never had control of the ball before it hit the ground and bounced into his chest (he was upside down when he hit). I was yelling for Tomlin to throw the red flag. I think he missed rthe boat on that call. I hope he sees that and knows he can’t let those calls slide in the future. Arizona got a gift on that play.
ebag, do your freinds call you t-bag chin?
by Spike! on Feb 5, 2009 12:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Steelers didnt need help infact kept the Cards in the game
The roughing the call was not an issue being the outcome was same and if you run into the center or holder it is automactically 15 yrds so a good call.
The facemask on Holmes was a good call, it is simple offense can us a stiff arm to the facemask and defense cant he was already going towards the out of bounce be a baller and push him out instead of grabbing the face mask.
15 yrd celebration was given in a different way with the absolute bs call of ike taylor and boldin fighting on the side line when it should have been off setting. Obviously didnt matter because of the obvious fumble at the end of the game which Whisenhutt even admitted in the after game interview that is was a fumble
No one mentioned about the non holding call on the Fitz touchdwon or the no review on the 1st fitz touchdown which was a hell of catch but if you look closely the nose of the football touches the ground as he comes down in the endzone.
Or the questionable holding call that gave the 2pt to keep the cards in it.
WHY THE BELLING ACHING AND TAKING AWAY AN AMAZING GAME WITH 2 QB’s PUTTING THEMSELVES AHEAD OF MOST QB’S IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME. 2 DEFENSES AND OFFENSES THAT WILL BE TALKED ABOUT IN YEARS TO COME. A HISTORICAL NIGHT FOR FOOTBALL HISTORY IN MANY MANNERS!! THIS WAS A GREAT NIGHT FOR THE LEAGUE AND FOR THE FANS AND WE MIGHT NOT SEE ANOTHER GAME LIKE THIS ONE. IT WAS A VERY WELL PLAYED GAME WITH MANY OF FACTORS THAT KEPT BOTH TEAMS IN THE GAME.
by thebus61 on Feb 4, 2009 11:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Come on
This is ridiculous. The only debatable call of the game was the roughing the passer call which could have gone either way. Other than that, you’ve got nothing. None of the calls you talk about were controversial or have played a role in the outcome of the game. Every Steelers completion or play was reviewed for an hour. Warner’s obvious fumble was reviewed in the booth for a minute and a half. What else do you want? The best team won because they were better, not because of the refs. Quit your whining and accept defeat like a man. Maybe your team will win next year.
by slc333 on Feb 4, 2009 12:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Jeez....
did growing up in communist Eastern Europe teach you never to ask questions or challenge authority or something?
"Of course, it’s downright frightening to imagine how two Adam Dunns would turn the double play." - Joe Posnanski
by DbacksSkins on Feb 4, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How Come
How come none of the losers are talking about the three times that Kirt took his helmet off in the feild of play. That would be 45 yards. I saw that hat about you?
by IRONFAN on Feb 4, 2009 3:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
How come
you don’t check your comments before you post them?
By the way, the AZSnakepit does not take responsibility for, nor condone, any alcohol-related accidents or injuries incurred, directly or indirectly, as a result of reading this website.
by DbacksSkins on Feb 16, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
sad
It is sad that the ref’s are once again the topic. Something needs to be done. Luckily it did not effect the outcome of the game this time. We need to take a long look at the ref’s and fix it.
GO STEELERS
by IRONFAN on Feb 4, 2009 3:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Luckily it did not effect the outcome of the game this time.
Of COURSE you’re going to say that. You’re a Steelers fan.
By the way, the AZSnakepit does not take responsibility for, nor condone, any alcohol-related accidents or injuries incurred, directly or indirectly, as a result of reading this website.
by DbacksSkins on Feb 16, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bad Calls Both Ways!!
Was that Fitzgerald who ran almost the whole length of the field out of bounds to tackle James Harrison? No bearing on the play in the end. But, missed call. How about the play before Fitzgerald scores his long touchdown? Either Farrior or Foote lines up on the end of the line and rushes to the quarterback. He has the protection beat, unless the protection tackles him, which they did. No flag. Missed call. Big missed call, as it turns out.
Was the roughing the passer call ticky-tacky? Yes. So was the holding call that ended with a safety. There was much more blatent holding being missed against Harrison.
There were bad calls and missed calls for both sides.
In the end, throughout the whole season, teams have been screwed by the referees. The great teams don’t use it as an excuse, but continue to fight to the victory. Some of you say that The Cards lost because of bad calls. I say there were bad calls (or non-calls) on both sides. The Steelers overcame those challenges and won the game.
I think that this debated comes down to the one constant in this NFL season. The Ref’s sucked. Fortunately, Perrera is gone. He is the real problem. Under his guidance the ref’s have gotten worse each year.
by WyoFan on Feb 5, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
It's not a "missed call"
on Fitzgerald because there was never a tackle called; Harrison was ruled to have scored.
Also:
Thegreatwinning teams don’t use it as an excuse, but continue to fight to the victory.
There. Fixed it for you.
By the way, the AZSnakepit does not take responsibility for, nor condone, any alcohol-related accidents or injuries incurred, directly or indirectly, as a result of reading this website.
by DbacksSkins on Feb 16, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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