Now it's time for the ......

[theprofessor]

First, let me say that I am a Seattle Seahawk fan but, more importantly, I am a fan of the game. I want to share some of my insight about Super Bowl 40. We need to give credit to the Pittsburgh Steelers for their incredible run through the playoffs, winning on the road against the #1, #2 and #3 seeds from the tough AFC. Their win against the Indianapolis Colts on the road was a testament to the greatness of their football team and their franchise. They won despite two very poor calls by the referee's that seemed to turn the momentum to the Colts. These two calls wreaked of favoritism towards the home team and if it wasn't for a great shoe string tackle by Mr. Roethlisberger we could have been a part of one of the most unfair outcomes of a big game in NFL history.

 

Now to the Super Bowl. Let's be clear about one thing the Seahawks did not have 1, 2 or 3 bad calls go against them, they had as I counted them, 8 bad calls go against them. While not all these calls determined the outcome of the game, almost all of them changed the momentum and at times took points off the board as well as gave points or added yards to Pittsburgh.

 

#1- The D-Jax PI. This call should not have been made and was made only because the referee was influenced by Chris Hope's reaction to what he thought was a push off. While the replayed showed that D-Jax extended his arm towards Mr. Hopes chest he did not gain leverage or seperation because of the extension of his arm. For there to be interference the receiver has to gain seperation due to his actions. Clearly, that didn't happen. Mr. Hope reacted towards the official because he got beat, clear and simple. The official took at least 1.5-2.0 seconds before he reached for the flag.

 

#2- The Roethlisberger TD. While this was a close play I never saw the nose of the ball touch or get to the goal line. This was 3rd down so we don't know if Pittsburgh would have scored on 4th down? To be honest I'm not as upset at this call as most are around the country.

 

#3- Sean Locklear holding penalty on the pass to Jerramy Stevens to the Pittsburgh 1- yard line. This holding call was questionable, at best. All the analysts agreed that it was a poor call. Seattle would have had the ball at the 1-yard line with the #1 touchdown back in the backfield and the Seattle offensive line dominating Pittsburghs line all day. TD Seahawks.

 

#4- Nobody's talking about the Joey Porter horse collar tackle on Shaun Alexanders 15 yard run in the 3rd quarter. This was an obvious penalty and one that the officials were suppose to be looking for because of the recent injuries caused by this type of tackle. Porter clearly pulled SA down by grabbing on to the back of Alexanders shoulder pads. 15 additional yards and added momentum, lost.

 

#5- Hasselbecks penalty for "blocking"? below the waist as he made the tackle on Ike Taylor after his interception. How do you get a penalty for blocking when your opponent has the ball? Watch the play .... Hasselbeck makes a great tackle and that's all. I still can't figure out why the referee made the call that he did? Horrible call. Added yards for Pittsburgh and added momentum.

 

#6- On the next series when Randle El throws the beautiful pass to Hines Ward for the TD Roethlisberger, behind the line of scrimmage, blocks a Seahawk clearly below the waist to assist Randle El in having more time to throw the TD pass. Watch the replay .... this was clearly, by definition, a block below the waist and should have been called to negate the TD. For this to happen 3 plays after the Hasselbeck call and to not call it on Roethlisberger?

 

#7- I believe it was on the play that Hasselbeck through the PI, the Pittsburgh linebacker on the left side was offsides by at least 1 yard before the snap was made. You could see it clear as day live and especially on the replay. This offsides would have taken away the PI and gave Seattle the ball back in scoring position.

 

#8- In the 4th Quarter when Pittsburgh had the ball I was watching the time clock run down as Roethlisberger was ready to take the snap from center the clock reached ZERO then Roethlisberger looked back to the referee behind him and called timeout. The time clock was at 0 at least 1 second before the time out was asked for by Big Ben and the ref gave it to him? The analysts on ABC only explanation was that the referee can't watch the clock and the QB at the same time? huh? If that's the case then go to the replay and get the call right.

 

These were all BAD calls. Did they change the outcome of the game? Maybe, maybe not. Did these calls change the momentum away from Seattle? Definately.

I believe these calls changed not only the momentum and possibly the outcome of the game but more importantly it ruined the game for the sports fan. The Pittsburgh fans want to call us Seahawk fans whiny little babies but if these calls would have been called on their team do we really think they would have been quiet on these message boards and proclaimed the Seahawks as the better team? I think not. The stats don't lie. From the opening series the Seahawks dictated the tempo and moved the ball pretty much the entire ball game against what was suppose to be a great defense. The Seattle defense, in my opinion was the better defense on the field also. They gave up two big plays. A gadget play that they should have been prepared for and a 75 yard run that was caused by a 3rd string Safety taking an improper angle on Willie Parker (And yes, he is fast!). Other than those two plays and letting Ben run for a couple of clock-moving runs on 3rd down the Seahawk defense asserted themselves as the better defense. Matt Hasselbeck, in my opinion was the best player on the field and deserved more credit than he got for the game that he played and how he moved the ball on the Pittsburgh defense. What would his stats had looked like had Stevens not dropped the 3 balls he did and D-Jax TD would have been allowed? Wow!

 

Did Seattle deserve to win? Tough question .... probably not. Their clock management was terrible at the end of each half. I still don't understand why Holmgren didn't attempt a field goal with 53 seconds left and take a chance with a onside kick for a possible game tying TD? D-Jax should have done a better job of catching the ball off his correct shoulder which would have allowed him to keep both feet in bounds at the end zone. And Jerremy Stevens? Talk with your performance. Your performance was terrible. With that said, I thought "the mouth" Joey Porter was a non-factor also and only made one play all day and that was the illegal tackle on SA.

 

I think every NFL fan should be outraged at the way this game and the Indy-Ptt game was officiated. It smells of boxing and someone needs to be held accountable. I feel sorry for Seahawk fans, players and coaches who have waited 30 years to get this opportunity, only to have it compromised by one horrible call after another. I feel sorry for the Steeler players, fans and coaches. The Steelers had an incredible post-season run to the Title, probably the best in the history of the NFL and they have to listen to all this crap about the officiating. Wake up Mr. Tagliabue ...... there is a foul smell in the air. You manage the greatest team sport in the world and if you don't bring some change, fast, to the way it's officiated you are not going to like the end result. Your officiating crew took something away from all of us on Sunday. They took a game that could have been filled with excitement and drama and made it into a joke. Every football fan should be knocking down your door and demanding that something be done so that we don't have to endure what he all had to endure last Sunday.

 

Congratulations to The Pittsburgh Steelers. I hope that one day our Seahawk Franchise can match your tradition and your consistency.

 

'The Professor"

Edited February 8, 2006 by theprofessor

[Azazello1313]

cue "dead horse"...

 

actually, i think most of he calls/no-calls are mostly defendable on their own. the hasselbeck PF, the missed horse-collar call, and a couple obvious pitt offsides that weren't called would be examples of just plain WRONG calls, but most of the ones that really changed the game fall into that nebulous "judgment call" area. you really can't whine when one or two of those go against you.

 

the problem with this game was that ALL the iffy "judgment calls" went against seattle, and they ALL seemed to happen at absolutely CRUCIAL points in the game. the cumulative effect is a snowjob worth about 11 points on the scoreboard. i doubt it was intentional, but it was there nevertheless. iffy calls don't usually determine the outcome of the game, but the fact that they all went against one team and all at key moments makes this an exception. it's a bummer for the game of football to have it happen in a super bowl.

[Menudo]

First, let me say that I am a Seattle Seahawk fan but, more importantly, I am a fan of the game. I want to share some of my insight about Super Bowl 40. We need to give credit to the Pittsburgh Steelers for their incredible run through the playoffs, winning on the road against the #1, #2 and #3 seeds from the tough AFC.  Their win against the Indianapolis Colts on the road was a testament to the greatness of their football team and their franchise. They won despite two very poor calls by the referee's that seemed to turn the momentum to the Colts. These two calls wreaked  of favoritism towards the home team and if it wasn't for a great shoe string tackle by Mr. Roethlisberger we could have been a part of one of the most unfair outcomes of a big game in NFL history.

 

Now to the Super Bowl. Let's be clear about one thing the Seahawks did not have 1, 2 or 3 bad calls go against them, they had as I counted them, 8 bad calls go against them. While not all these calls determined the outcome of the game, almost all of them changed the momentum and at times took points off the board as well as gave points or added yards to Pittsburgh.

 

#1- The D-Jax PI. This call should not have been made and was made only because the referee was influenced by Chris Hope's reaction to what he thought was a push off. While the replayed showed that D-Jax extended his arm towards Mr. Hopes chest he did not gain leverage or seperation because of the extension of his arm. For there to be interference the receiver has to gain seperation due to his actions. Clearly, that didn't happen. Mr. Hope reacted towards the official because he got beat, clear and simple. The official took at least 1.5-2.0 seconds before he reached for the flag. 

 

#2- The Roethlisberger TD. While this was a close play I never saw the nose of the ball touch or get to the goal line. This was 3rd down so we don't know if Pittsburgh would have scored on 4th down? To be honest I'm not as upset at this call as most are around the country.

 

#3- Sean Locklear holding penalty on the pass to Jerramy Stevens to the Pittsburgh 1- yard line. This holding call was questionable, at best. All the analysts agreed that it was a poor call.  Seattle would have had the ball at the 1-yard line with the #1 touchdown back in the backfield and the Seattle offensive line dominating Pittsburghs line all day. TD Seahawks.

 

#4- Nobody's talking about the Joey Porter horse collar tackle on Shaun Alexanders 15 yard run in the 3rd quarter. This was an obvious penalty and one that the officials were suppose to be looking for because of the recent injuries caused by this type of tackle. Porter clearly pulled SA down by grabbing on to the back of Alexanders shoulder pads. 15 additional yards and added momentum, lost.

 

#5- Hasselbecks penalty for "blocking"? below the waist as he made the tackle on Ike Taylor after his interception. How do you get a penalty for blocking when your opponent has the ball? Watch the play .... Hasselbeck makes a great tackle and that's all. I still can't figure out why the referee  made the call that he did? Horrible call. Added yards for Pittsburgh and added momentum.

 

#6- On the next series when Randle El throws the beautiful pass to Hines Ward for the TD Roethlisberger, behind the line of scrimmage, blocks a Seahawk clearly below the waist to assist Randle El in having more time to throw the TD pass. Watch the replay .... this was clearly, by definition, a block below the waist and should have been called to negate the TD. For this to happen 3 plays after the Hasselbeck call and to not call it on Roethlisberger? 

 

#7- I believe it was on the play that Hasselbeck through the PI, the Pittsburgh linebacker on the left side was offsides by at least 1 yard before the snap was made. You could see it clear as day live and especially on the replay. This offsides would have taken away the PI and gave Seattle the ball back in scoring position.

 

#8- In the 4th Quarter when Pittsburgh had the ball I was watching the time clock run down as Roethlisberger was ready to take the snap from center the clock reached ZERO then Roethlisberger looked back to the referee behind him and called timeout. The time clock was at 0 at least 1 second before the time out was asked for by Big Ben and the ref gave it to him? The analysts on ABC only explanation was that the referee can't watch the clock and the QB at the same time? huh? If that's the case then go to the replay and get the call right.

 

These were all BAD calls. Did they change the outcome of the game? Maybe, maybe not. Did these calls change the momentum away from Seattle? Definately.

I believe these calls changed not only the momentum and possibly the outcome of the game but more importantly it ruined the game for the sports fan. The Pittsburgh fans want to call us Seahawk fans whiny little babies but if these calls would have been called on their team do we really think they would have been quiet on these message boards and proclaimed the Seahawks as the better team? I think not. The stats don't lie. From the opening series the Seahawks dictated the tempo and moved the ball pretty much the entire ball game against what was suppose to be a great defense. The Seattle defense, in my opinion was the better defense on the field also. They gave up two big plays. A gadget play that they should have been prepared for and a 75 yard run that was caused by a 3rd string Safety taking an improper angle on Willie Parker (And yes, he is fast!). Other than those two plays and letting Ben run for a couple of clock-moving runs on 3rd down the Seahawk defense asserted themselves as the better defense. Matt Hasselbeck, in my opinion was the best player on the field and deserved more credit than he got for the game that he played and how he moved the ball on the Pittsburgh defense. What would his stats had looked like had Stevens not dropped the 3 balls he did and D-Jax TD would have been allowed? Wow!

 

Did Seattle deserve to win? Tough question .... probably not. Their clock management was terrible at the end of each half. I still don't understand why Holmgren didn't attempt a field goal with 53 seconds left and take a chance with a onside kick for a possible game tying TD? D-Jax should have done a better job of catching the ball off his correct shoulder which would have allowed him to keep both feet in bounds at the end zone. And Jerremy Stevens? Talk with your performance. Your performance was terrible. With that said, I thought "the mouth" Joey Porter was a non-factor also and only made one play all day and that was the illegal tackle on SA.

 

I think every NFL fan should be outraged at the way this game and the Indy-Ptt game was officiated. It smells of boxing and someone needs to be held accountable. I feel sorry for Seahawk fans, players and coaches who have waited 30 years to get this opportunity, only to have it compromised by one horrible call after another. I feel sorry for the Steeler players, fans and coaches. The Steelers had an incredible post-season run to the Title, probably the best in the history of the NFL and they have to listen to all this crap about the officiating. Wake up Mr. Tagliabue ...... there is a foul smell in the air. You manage the greatest team sport in the world and if you don't bring some change, fast, to the way it's officiated you are not going to like the end result. Your officiating crew took something away from all of us on Sunday. They took a game that could have been filled with excitement and drama and made it into a joke. Every football fan should be knocking down your door and demanding that something be done so that we don't have to endure what he all had to endure last Sunday.

 

Congratulations to The Pittsburgh Steelers. I hope that one day our Seahawk Franchise can match your tradition and your consistency.

 

'The Professor"

 

1313411[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Incredible post. I don't necessarily agree with every word of it, as far as some of the calls go, but we've been through that enough. I just felt that you worded this perfectly, great job.

[CaptainHook]

#6- On the next series when Randle El throws the beautiful pass to Hines Ward for the TD Roethlisberger, behind the line of scrimmage, blocks a Seahawk clearly below the waist to assist Randle El in having more time to throw the TD pass. Watch the replay .... this was clearly, by definition, a block below the waist and should have been called to negate the TD. For this to happen 3 plays after the Hasselbeck call and to not call it on Roethlisberger?

 

1313411[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

I agree with it all except this. Inside the area known as the "tackle box" that is a legal block. Low blocks are forbidden on change of possession plays (Int returns, fumble returns, kick-offs, and punts). For example, how many times do you see a RB take out a blitzers legs? It's legal.

 

And you didn't mention the missed offsides calls on the LOLB after Locklear's "hold".

Edited February 8, 2006 by CaptainHook

[NoSupe4You]

I agree with it all except this.  Inside the area known as the "tackle box" that is a legal block.  Low blocks are forbidden on change of possession plays (Int returns, fumble returns, kick-offs, and punts).  For example, how many times do you see a RB take out a blitzers legs?  It's legal.

 

And you didn't mention the missed offsides calls on the LOLB after Locklear's "hold".

 

1313457[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

And the fact it appears as if the nose tackle was LINED UP in the nuetral zone on the Locklear holding play.

Edited February 8, 2006 by NoSupe4You

[Menudo]

And the fact it appears as if the nose tackle was LINED UP in the nuetral zone on the Locklear holding play.

 

1313565[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

[Dead Horse]

cue "dead horse"...

 

 

1313445[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

did someone call?

[Gdawg]

did someone call?

 

1313593[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Time for the daily beating?

[wildcat2334]

Gawd I hate reading this b/c I agree with all of it except for any penalty on the Randle El pass. Makes me sick- I cannot believe this is how the SB was decided-

Would rather have been blown out 42-3. I seriously hate the Mon,Tue,Wed am quarterbacking and whining but darn it was so obviously one-sided. I gotta keep beating it, I can't help it

 

I completely overlooked the horse-collar, and what gest lost is the hold/block in the back that was questionable on Warrick's great punt return. I mean, seriously, Pitt had no holding penalties???

 

Upon further review....... Seattle got by Levy and crew.

[NoSupe4You]

 

1313575[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

In the zone

 

Go ahead and tell me he is even a quarter of the ball length back from the football. His head is completely over it, his hand on the ground is about even with the nose of the football. Last I checked that is lining up in the neutral zone.

[wildcat2334]

In the zone

 

Go ahead and tell me he is even a quarter of the ball length back from the football.  His head is completely over it, his hand on the ground is about even with the nose of the football.  Last I checked that is lining up in the neutral zone.

 

1313637[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

Wow- garbage- I watched the game with alot of neutral, knowledgeable football guys from all over the country. They ALL were pulling for Seattle after the BS calls piled up. One thing EVERYONE was screaming was at the blatant offsides- nice pic there as proof.

[Menudo]

In the zone

 

Go ahead and tell me he is even a quarter of the ball length back from the football.   His head is completely over it, his hand on the ground is about even with the nose of the football.  Last I checked that is lining up in the neutral zone.

 

1313637[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

Wow- garbage- I watched the game with alot of neutral, knowledgeable football guys from all over the country. They ALL were pulling for Seattle after the BS calls piled up. One thing EVERYONE was screaming was at the blatant offsides- nice pic there as proof.

 

1313649[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Agreed nice pic. Now give me pics of every other pre-snap of the game. Guys get away with this constantly every play of every game.

 

I'm going to stop now, some of you guys have gone from understandably picking apart a few questionable calls to now examining every single play with a magnifying glass. I understand why you are upset, but personally, I'm stepping away and enjoying my team's championship.

Edited February 8, 2006 by Menudo

[NoSupe4You]

Wow- garbage- I watched the game with alot of neutral, knowledgeable football guys from all over the country. They ALL were pulling for Seattle after the BS calls piled up. One thing EVERYONE was screaming was at the blatant offsides- nice pic there as proof.

 

1313649[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

That is on the locklear holding play, both he and the lolb leave before the ball is snapped as seen:

Here

Also, this is the 20 yard line camera (los is the 19) so it actually gives a slight visual edge to the Steelers (making them look further away from the line if anything.

 

In the refs defense on this one, the Steelers were guessing the snap fairly well. The ball snap started in the very next frame. Does not excuse missing the guy LINE UP in the neutral zone.

 

Edit: Of course it is also hard to see that kind of think if you are focused on the WR to make sure he doesn't false start.

Edited February 8, 2006 by NoSupe4You

[NoSupe4You]

Agreed nice pic.  Now give me pics of every other pre-snap of the game.  Guys get away with this constantly every play of every game.

 

I'm going to stop now, some of you guys have gone from understandably picking apart a few questionable calls to now examining every single play with a magnifying glass.  I understand why you are upset, but personally, I'm stepping away and enjoying my team's championship.

 

1313656[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

Actually not picking apart every single play. I was picking apart this play because it is the locklear hold play. And by your logic, players get away with way worse for holds than what locklear did on every single play.

[wildcat2334]

This is like a hot girl cheating on you. You want to move on and forget her, but you can't. You keep going back for more pain and anguish, reliving it makes you sicker to your stomach, but you can't help it.

[Azazello1313]

Agreed nice pic.  Now give me pics of every other pre-snap of the game.  Guys get away with this constantly every play of every game.

1313656[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

bullchit. his helmet is virtually touching the center's. that IS usually called, and if it isn't it's because the line judge isnt doing his f'n job and is letting him get away with it. is this the play hampton got the sack?

 

i'm pretty certain the left OLB was offsides twice on that series as well...the locklear holding play and the play hass was sacked. anyone have screencaps of those?

[Menudo]

bullchit.  his helmet is virtually touching the center's.  that IS usually called, and if it isn't it's because the line judge isnt doing his f'n job and is letting him get away with it.  is this the play hampton got the sack?

 

i'm pretty certain the left OLB was offsides twice on that series as well...the locklear holding play and the play hass was sacked.  anyone have screencaps of those?

 

1313715[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

:

[NoSupe4You]

bullchit.  his helmet is virtually touching the center's.  that IS usually called, and if it isn't it's because the line judge isnt doing his f'n job and is letting him get away with it.  is this the play hampton got the sack?

 

i'm pretty certain the left OLB was offsides twice on that series as well...the locklear holding play and the play hass was sacked.  anyone have screencaps of those?

 

1313715[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

No it is the locklear holding play. And you are right. This isn't even a hard judgment call, trying to decide what is happening in fast action. This is a guy in a static position for 5+ seconds when the LJ should be looking right at him.

Edited February 8, 2006 by NoSupe4You

[Azazello1313]

:

 

1313721[/snapback]

 

 

 

is he in the neutral zone or not?

[NoSupe4You]

is he in the neutral zone or not?

 

1313735[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

Initially he laughed at the idea, and then when provided with proof he discounted it.

[Menudo]

Initially he laughed at the idea, and then when provided with proof he discounted it.

 

1313741[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

I laughed because you guys simply won't stop..........

 

O.k. he was offsides, maybe they will play the game over again.

 

P.S. I provided a picture of Ben being blocked in the back on the interception

return and was told by Wildcat that 'blocking in the back' does not exist on

that part of the field......

Edited February 8, 2006 by Menudo

[bushwacked]

I'm stepping away and enjoying my team's championship.

 

1313656[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

 

O.k. he was offsides, maybe they will play the game over again. 

 

1313753[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

iF I were you, I'd step away for another 31 minutes to enjoy your team's championship.

[Menudo]

iF I were you, I'd step away for another 31 minutes to enjoy your team's championship.

 

1313762[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

What can I say, this place is like crack, and it is a slow day at work...

[wildcat2334]

I laughed because you guys simply won't stop..........

 

O.k. he was offsides, maybe they will play the game over again. 

 

P.S.  I provided a picture of Ben being blocked in the back on the interception

        return and was told by Wildcat that 'blocking in the back' does not exist on

        that part of the field...... 

 

1313753[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

Menudo- Your beyond annoying me now. If you think Roth was "blocked in the back" on the INT return- your an f ing moron. Period. I didn't say "does not exist on that part of the field" grrr- I said - the Sea guy was ahead of Herndon, so was Roth- and he extended his arms and blocked Roth- perfectly legal play. Happens al the time on INT returns. I need to go vote you as most annoying huddler right now...........

[Menudo]

Menudo- Your beyond annoying me now. If you think Roth was "blocked in the back" on the INT return- your an f ing moron.  Period.  I didn't say "does not exist on that part of the field" grrr-  I said - the Sea guy was ahead of Herndon, so was Roth- and he extended his arms and blocked Roth- perfectly legal play. Happens al the time on INT returns.  I need to go vote you as most annoying huddler right now...........

 

1313780[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Vote me for whatever you want. John Riggins said it was a block in the back on Sirious NFL Radio. Are you claiming to know more about football than me and John Riggins ?

 

Also, do the following search on Google - Roethlisbeger "Blocked in the back" . There are tons of analysts saying the same thing.

 

We are all wrong and you are right. I get it.

 

P.S.

 

How did your prediction of the Steelers getting less than 50 yards TOTAL rushing between Parker and Bettis ?

 

How about the fact that we could put the Seahawks down for at lest 28 points ?

 

 

All of the other Seahawk fans outside of Seahawk37 & You are upset but acting respectfully........congrats.

Edited February 8, 2006 by Menudo