Packers vs. Bears Holding Call on Punt Return

Every time I see a missed call on the field, I get a little bit frustrated inside. When I saw one of the best executed trick punt returns called back by a phantom holding call, I was fuming. However, for as much heat as I dish out on the refs, I have to give them props. Yesterday in the Packers vs. Bears game, they got the call right.

For those that didn't see the play, it was a thing of beauty. Devin Hester set up and signaled for a fair catch on one side of the field. All eyes were on him, and the defenders crowded around him. Little did everyone know, Johnny Knox was setting up under the ball on the opposite side of the field, alone. Knox caught the ball and had an easy waltz into the endzone, having to dodge only the tackle of the punter.

However, a hold was called, and the play was coming back. Replay showed that Corey Graham was all alone at the moment the flag landed on the field, not a soul within 10 yards. Fans and announcers alike were perplexed on how he could be called for holding. Watch the video below to see the play:

Where is the hold? Well it actually happened earlier in the play. Watch the video at the very beginning on the left side of the screen, right before the camera angle switches. It turns out Graham was beat so badly that he reached out and attempted to grab the collar of Jarrett Bush. Even the referee with 2 glass eyes could have seen that one from a mile away. How silly because even if Graham had let Bush run free, Bush would have ran straight to Hester and not Knox.

So the refs did a good job, and got the call right. They deserve credit now, until I rip into them again next week. The only real disappointment here is Gorey Graham, who robbed us from seeing one of the greatest tricks of all time with a dumb holding penalty.

49ers vs. Seahawks: Perfect Hit Mistaken as Illegal

Today we were graced by a terrible call by the officiating crews of the NFL, once again.  This one involves a referee who thinks that tackling qualifies as unnecessary roughness.  After watching this call, it is surprising to me why he did not call a penalty on every other tackle of the game.

Here’s how the play went down: Seattle receiver Anthony McCoy beat 49er defensive back Donte Whitner over the middle.  McCoy, at 6 foot 5 inches and 259 pounds, had no problem getting the ball in his hands past 5 foot 10 inch Whitner.  Whitner had no shot at the ball, and if it wasn’t for the safety help over the top, McCoy waltzes in for the score.  Madieu Williams comes in to the rescue from the side, prepared to make a touchdown saving tackle.  The hit Williams laid on McCoy was hard enough to jar the ball loose before McCoy ever had complete possession.

Madieu Williams, only 203 lbs by the way, executed his responsibility perfectly making a touchdown saving play that resulted in an incompletion.  However, at halftime the entire officiating crew ran over to Lenscrafters to drop off their glasses.  The result was a perfectly clean hit that was mistakenly penalized.

Check out the video:

Let’s analyze the replay. Notice how Madieu Williams avoids using his head as a weapon. Williams’ facemask is the only part of his helmet that ever touches McCoy, and the contact is made on McCoy’s shoulder.  Also notice how Williams never touched McCoy’s head with any part of his body on the hit.  Finally observe the position of Williams’ arms.  They are outspread like he is ready to tackle, not in a position to cause harm. Textbook.

            Fortunately the outcome of the game was not affected.  San Fransisco held on to win big, thanks to a pair of Ted Ginn returns for touchdowns late in the game.  As for Williams, this video is going to be shown in the film room of all 32 teams this week – demonstrating exactly how you are supposed to make a hit on a ball carrier.

            Will Williams get a fine? Probably, since the NFL has a habit of defending its referees by handing out fines even on terrible calls.  In a perfect world, the refs would admit the mistake after the game, but that would be an extreme rarity.

            For the sake of the NFL, let’s hope this does not become a pattern.  When a ref assumes what happens because he did not actually see it, it hurts the integrity of the NFL.  With NFL rules already making it a softer game, we don’t need more refs hurting labeling legitimate hits as illegal.

AJ Hawk Penalized For Pass Interference

If you watched the NFL season opener Thursday night between the Saints and the Packers, you were fortunate to see two of the NFC's best teams squaring off in prime time. The Pack took an early lead, but the Saints came back with potential to tie the game. With 3 seconds left and goal to go, Brees was flushed from the pocket and fired a strike to Darren Sproles in the end zone. Packers linebacker AJ Hawk made an incredible flying leap and knocked the ball away from Sproles. Game Over.

Friday September 9, 05:26 AM
Green Bay Packers' A.J. Hawk (50) is called for pass interference as he knocks down a pass intended for New Orleans Saints' Darren Sproles (43) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 42-34. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

With such a thrilling finish, most football enthusiasts didn't want it to end. This included one referee who threw his yellow hanky out onto the field. Even the Jumbotron replay showed that it really wasn't even close. There was no contact whatsoever until the ball was firmly swatted away.  See for yourself below.

After a quick conference between the other refs, you would think they would come up with the correct call. Right? Nope. The ball was placed at the one yard line and the Saints were allowed to run another play. Luckily the Packers stood their ground and ended the game by stuffing Mark Ingram in his tracks. (otherwise the officiating crew may have never made it out of Lambeau alive)

Otherwise, the officiating was pretty great, but it only takes one spoiled apple to ruin the whole basket.  How do we fix this terrible problem from happening again? Make pass interference reviewable? Have another ref watching from the booth? Mandatory eye exams for referees?  If you have any other thoughts on this, post your ideas in the comments.