NFL Networks Take On Smitty

Did anyone see the segment last nite on NFL Network where they had Rich E. interviewing the head of NFL officals on calls from last weeks games? The first play was Smith's PF and ejection. All the head would say is it's an automatic ejection. And we must protect our guys from the violence. When questioned about Rondre Barbers hitting an offical it was well we didn't see it happen. One thing I noticed from Smith was when he touched the offical he stated his case, turned and was walking back towards the huddle when the guy threw the flag. Don't know what was said but the guy was hot after throwing the flag. Then without discussion he basically told the Ref this guys gone and gave him the hook sign with his thumb. The second call was the kick and they basically said it should have been the 15 yard version insead of the 5 yard pentaly. And then the guy kept saying the flight of the ball did not change. Rich E. questioned him on several things but the most interesting is do the league officals have a vested interest in keeping big name teams in the hunt for the playoffs. Of course they guy denied it, but Rich was pretty adamant that the Cats got hosed in the Cowboy games.

 

i would classify the ejection as a judgement call. it depends on who the ref is and what smitty said coupled with the obvious touching violation. some refs could let it slide when others would not. its kinda like baseball umps who'll take more crap from managers while others have a short fuse.

as for the other call. my initial reaction was that it would be overturned as the trajectory of the ball was clearly altered during its flight. but they saw it another way. its their call and thats what they get paid to do. i dont see any conspiracy to keep dallas in the hunt or anything like that.

there are good refs and there are not-so-good refs. rarely do you see anyone these days, let alone officials, admit to being wrong.

my opinion is that they were wrong on both accounts and hopefully the carolina panthers team will use it as motivation. i know i would.

 

There's no way.

 

Originally, I stated that upon further review, I would NOT change the officials call. I did not see Lucas touch the ball. Tuesday, while watching ESPN they showed a screenshot of Lucas touching the ball. Did anyone else see this?

 

That's kind of like insisting that Jake Delhomme isn't white.

 

If I had the tapes, I bet I could show that guy 50 instances of guys grabbing the refs to make a point and not getting tossed. I bet about half of the didn't even draw a flag.

 

Put that dude's addy back up so we can hunt him down and cut his throat.

 

The only difference would have been that the 'boys would have a first down on the 7 or 8 instead of the 11. For that 3 more yards, they should have dismembered Cundiff.