Let's be clear: "the call" didn't cost Miami the game

[Pappy13]

I just don't understand why every thread I comment on about this is barely read and then I'm attacked by the Pappy13's of the TDMMC-world.

Why can't you guys try to see this rationally? Pappy13 there is no way in hell you read this post in under 2 minutes. Try reading the full post and then formulate your response.

It's not just that you commented, it's the way in which you commented in ALL CAPS as if to say I HAVE SPOKEN!  Besides it's not just this post, but your posts in general have tended to be very biased and I don't lend a whole lot of credence to them anymore.

After reading your whole post, I'll just repeat what I already said in that it didn't necessarily cost us the game, but it sure did change the way the final 2:30 played out and could have changed the outcome, so to declare it DID NOT COST the game is clearly incorrect. You don't know that anymore than we know it DID COST us the game.  What makes your view anymore valid than ours?

That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[jtex316]

It's not just that you commented, it's the way in which you commented in ALL CAPS as if to say I HAVE SPOKEN!  Besides it's not just this post, but your posts in general have tended to be very biased and I don't lend a whole lot of credence to them anymore.

After reading your whole post, I'll just repeat what I already said in that it didn't necessarily cost us the game, but it sure did change the way the final 2:30 played out and could have changed the outcome, so to declare it DID NOT COST the game is clearly incorrect. You don't know that anymore than we know it DID COST us the game.  What makes your view anymore valid than ours?

That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

I usually don't like to do all of this rebuttling after a post - but since you shared your thoughts:

1. I did not comment in "ALL CAPS" - I think i used caps for a total of 5 words in that 300-400 word essay.
2. Of course my posts tend to be "very biased". So are yours, Maine's, Dave's - everyone posts with bias.
3. I'm not posting so that you can lend credence to my posts - or that anyone will lend credence to my posts. I post here for my own benefit, and my own benefit alone.
4. Stating that [The Call] "DID NOT COST" the Dolphins the game is not "clearly incorrect". It did NOT cost the Dolphins the game. What about my entire scenario analysis of what could have happened if the Dolphins did actually get the ball back at their 20 yard line? That is one possible scenario from an infinite number of possible scenarios that may have happened. My view is valid (and possibly more valid than anyone else's as you've suggested) because there are just too many variables that you cannot account for that could have led to a Dolphins victory - you can't simply throw all of those unknown variables away because one of the infinite number of outcomes turned out to be what happened on Sunday afternoon.

If "the call" did indeed cost the Dolphins the game - why did they even line up to play after "the call", if it was such a foregone conclusion? Because there was still 2:30 left on the play clock - plenty of time for anything to happen. The Dolphins could not make it happen in that time frame. Their fault, not Gene Skerator's fault.

I think after a few days when this has died down some that you'll realize what the real culprit(s) of the loss yesterday were. You can't just pin losses on a late-game call - the Dolphins have a lot of issues to address before playing @ Cincinnati next week.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I did not see the game or play in question but.....

In every game both team makes a huge number of mistakes that affect the outcome of each game. 

In every game the refs make a small number of mistakes that affect the outcome of the game.  Fans typically dwell on the few that hurt their own team and are almost completely blind to the ones that aid their team.  In an effort to minimize the number by the refs, in 1986 the league implemented instant replay. 

To focus on one play in which some view as the wrong call in the game as the reason for a lose is to lose sight of the 50-100 mistakes made by players and coaches during the game that could have also won the game. 

The refs like the coaches and players are humans who make mistakes.  Of the three, the refs by far and away do a better job at their job, than either the coaches or players do at theirs. 

[Spider-Dan]

While there is a point to be made that MIA did nothing with the ball when they did get it, surely you acknowledge that there's a huge difference between needing-to-go-50-yards-in-2-minutes and needing-to-get-one-first-down?  The second down playcall (and I hesitate to even call it that) should be a clear example of that.

[Spider-Dan]

Actually nobody cared because it was not ruled an INT.

The play-by-play from nfl.com confirms your account, but I think the NFL went back and scrubbed the game record after-the-fact.

If you watch the game highlights replay, the official clearly says, "Interception by Pittsburgh... first down."

[Pappy13]

I usually don't like to do all of this rebuttling after a post

Not to worry, you won't see any more rebuttals from me.

[Phishfan]

The play-by-play from nfl.com confirms your account, but I think the NFL went back and scrubbed the game record after-the-fact.

If you watch the game highlights replay, the official clearly says, "Interception by Pittsburgh... first down."

The NFL doesn't "scrub" an interception off the books. If that was the case they could go back and "scrub" any wrong call such as the one we are discussion. It was changed by the guys on the field, we just didn't get to hear the benefit of that from the TV announcers.

[Pappy13]

To focus on one play in which some view as the wrong call in the game as the reason for a lose is to lose sight of the 50-100 mistakes made by players and coaches during the game that could have also won the game.

Except for 1 big difference.  The game is being PLAYED by the players.  Their mistakes or non-mistakes is what I expect to determine the outcome of a game.  Any game.  That's a given and as it should be.

Mistakes by the refs are not a given, nor are they as it should be.  Mistakes by the referees should not determine the outcome of games even though they are unavoidable.  When they do or at least are reasonably perceived that they do, people bitch about it.  That doesn't mean I think we should be given a win, but it does mean I have a legitimate reason to be upset about it.  Don't try to play it off that both things are equal, they are not.

[bsmooth]

I just don't understand why every thread I comment on about this is barely read and then I'm attacked by the Pappy13's of the TDMMC-world.

Why can't you guys try to see this rationally? Pappy13 there is no way in hell you read this post in under 2 minutes. Try reading the full post and then formulate your response.

Perhaps if you used logic throughout the whole post.
For instance you talk about Miami getting the fumble,l and the time left with the number of Steelers timeouts, yet you refer to the usage of Miami's timeout to regroup leaving them with one( which would not have happened if they got the fumble, so they would have had two to Pittsburgh's 3).
This is your problem. Even when you posture like you are trying to make and informed and logical arguement, you take swipes at Miami, even when it goes against your arguement.
No one respects your opinions because you are a incessant troll who brings nothing to any discussion on this board but vitriol about the Doplhins.

[bsmooth]

I understand everyone is up in arms about "the call" at the end of the game.  I am too.  Let's be clear, here, though.  That call did not cost Miami the game.

Miami recovers two turnovers and comes away with 6 points, two field goals.  I am more pissed about that.  Convert one of those two into a touchdown.  Just one.  Come away with 7 and not 6 and the game is tied and going to OT.  Come away with 10 and Miami wins.

Give Allen some help with Wallace.  Where is the safety help on that play?  The dude is the fastest WR in the league.  Limit Pittsburgh to a field goal on that drive versus a TD.  Miami wins.

Conservative play calling.  How many carries do you need into the teeth of Pittsburgh's defense before you know it ain't working?  Keeping the defense honest?  Really?  No one runs on the Steelers and everyone knows it.  Open up the play book a little more.

We can bellyache all we want about "the call."  It didn't cost Miami the game.

You make valid points. But you are not taking into account how emotionally deflating to a team to stop another team late in the game and only to have your efforts crapped on by a highly questionable call.
Now the Steelers are pumped up as they can taste victory and Miami is trying to regroup from the fact that they went from almost locking this game up, to having to mount a last inute drive against one of the top defenses in the league.
If you do not think the huge emotional swing on both teams made a difference, then you are mistaken.
Officials should help maintain the the flow and pace of the game, not drastically alter the flow of a game with bad calls.

[Phishfan]

For instance you talk about Miami getting the fumble,l and the time left with the number of Steelers timeouts, yet you refer to the usage of Miami's timeout to regroup leaving them with one( which would not have happened if they got the fumble, so they would have had two to Pittsburgh's 3).

Nope, we would have had one timeout. The one we used was our last one.

[Dave Gray]

I don't see how you can say that the call didn't cost us the game.  Had the call been ruled correctly, the Dolphins have the lead and the ball with 2 minutes left.  To still give Pit the lead not only cost the Fins directly, but then asked the Fins to do the very thing they're worst at, drive the length of the field with no timeouts against arguably the best defense in football.

[Spider-Dan]

The NFL doesn't "scrub" an interception off the books. If that was the case they could go back and "scrub" any wrong call such as the one we are discussion. It was changed by the guys on the field, we just didn't get to hear the benefit of that from the TV announcers.

Did you follow the link I posted?

The OFFICIAL announced that it was an interception by Pittsburgh.  There was no review of the play prior to the Steelers' next snap.  Yet the INT magically disappeared from the box score.

They scrubbed it, plain and simple.

[habfan5150]

One thing that did piss me off about the touchdown call is that one of the refs that called it a touchdown actually could only see the quaterbacks back on the play, he couldn't even tell if the ball broke the plane while in his possession, he shouldn't have made the call.

[stealth3ltt]

I think the call cost Miami the game and here's why:
All of the things that Mainedolfan describes,  shows all of the miscues and mistakes that the dolphins did that day.  He also describes how pittsburgh could do anything they wanted on offense,  score at will.  but what he forgets is what did the dolphins accomplish that day.    They held mendenhall to under 40yards rushing
miami scored more points then all other teams that played against them (19) being the highest at that point.  (against the toughest defense in the nfl). 
and the most important,  Miami stopped pitt more times on offense than pitt did to miami.  miami was leading 22-20!!!!!after all those reasons they still were ahead. 
they then stop ben in the endzone and recover the ball.   how do you not know that they could've run out the clock???   (they had the momemtum!!).  here is a team at that point who could've beat pitt,  beat minnesota, beat green bay, beat buffalo a close loss to the jets that they could've won. the only convincing loss this year is to the patriots.  this is not a 3-3 team.  they should be 5-1!!.    yes they had alot of mistakes that day,  but pitt had more.... or they would of been leading at the time of "the CALL"