Hey Phinatic - more PFT "crap" for you.

[run_to_win]

Phin - here's something from PFT.  As you've previously determined, I'm not smart enough to find the BS on my own so please point it out for me.

So here's what we think regarding the most critical officiating decisions from the Super Bowl.


First, the offensive pass interference call on Seahawks receiver Darrell Jackson was borderline at best.  Yes, Jackson pushed off.  A little.  At a minimum, the flag on Jackson should have been negated by an illegal contact flag on Steelers safety Chris Hope, who grabbed at Jackson's arm well beyond the five-yard chuck zone -- and who then put his hands on Jackson an instant before the Jackson extended his arms. 


Second, one of Jerramy Stevens' dropped passes actually was a catch and a fumble at the Steelers 25.  But the officials blew the play dead as an incompletion before the Steelers could make the recovery, wiping out any chance at a replay review.  Still, James Farrior would have recovered the ball inside the ten, and he might not have gotten back to the 20 via the return.  On the very next play, Seahawks punter Tom Rouen kicked into the end zone, giving the Steelers the ball at the 20.  So even though the call went Seattle's way, there was no real advantage.


Third, the Ben Roethlisberger touchdown was a questionable call on the field followed by a proper use of instant replay.  The official who ran in from the sideline initially put his hand in the air as if he were going to spot the ball inside the one, and then the official abruptly decided that Roethlisberger had gotten into the end zone. 

But what the hell did the guy see?  Apparently, he was influenced by the fact that Ben pushed the ball into the end zone after the play ended.  Since the replay angle was shot from the same perspective that the official had, it's hard to believe the official saw the ball break the plane. 

On review, Bill Leavy made the right decision, since there was no indisputable evidence that the ball didn't get in.  In fact, it looked to us as if the ball kissed the plane, which would make it a legitimate touchdown.  But if the call on the field had been that Roethlisberger didn't get in, there wouldn't have been enough evidence via replay to reverse.

Bottom line -- it's time to develop an electronic system for determining whether the ball entered the end zone.  Otherwise, the NFL should revert to the original rule requiring the runner to actually "touch down" the ball in the goal area. 

 
Fourth, cornerback Kelly Herndon's long interception return included a block in the back on Roethlisberger, which would have put the ball at the Pittsburgh 48 instead of at the Pittsburgh 20. 

 
Fifth, the holding call on Seattle tackle Shawn Locklear that took the ball from first and goal at the two to second and 20 was weak, especially since the hold had no real impact on the play.  If that flag isn't thrown, the 'Hawks would have erased the biggest deficit in Super Bowl history and claimed the lead in the fourth quarter. 

 
Sixth, there was a horse collar tackle on Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander by Steelers linebacker Joey Porter on the same drive.  But no flag from the officials.

 
Seventh, the fifteen-yarder called on Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck following his interception was one of the worst calls we've ever seen, and it put the Steelers closer to position for the razzle-dazzle pass from Antwaan Randle El to Hines Ward that iced the game. 


So, as we see it, there were seven questionable calls, the bulk of which favored the Steelers.


One last thing.  Several readers have argued that the long catch Seahawks receiver Darrell Jackson made at the goal line near the end of the first half should have been called a touchdown, since Jackson got one foot down and kicked the pylon with the other one.  But the pylon is out of bounds.  Although touching the pylon with the ball is enough to register a touchdown since the goal line extends beyond the field of play, the pylon is not actually in the field of play.  So it was, after all, a good call.

   

[Dave Gray]

Really, what's the point of this?

Phinatic's point was that PFT is unreliable when they post made-up stories, without sources.  This is just an opinion editorial.  He doesn't have a beef with this.

[run_to_win]

It's timely and interesting - especially since so many "cryers" don't lower themselves to visit PFT.  I started a new thread because I didn't want to pollute the other Super Bowl threads with "PFT crap". 

Okay, so the editorials don't fall into Phin's "90% crap" assertion. 

So how do we calculate the 90%?  Stories, headlines, paragraphs, word count?

[MaineDolFan]

As an Uber member, I don't have time for PFT.  I'm busy controlling my kingdom.


On a serious note, have you conducted a survey of TDMMC members to see which ones read or don't read PFT?  For all you know, you're preaching to the choir.  If you have a personal beef with a member, why not take it up with them on an individual basis on IM? 

As you stated in this post, you are quite insulted with this guy Phinatic not giving you credit for being smart enough to smell out the BS at PFT.  So why turn around and basically do the same to all of us, subjecting people to a web site that if we wanted to visit...we would?  Food for thought.  You are taking what one person said and applying that blanket over an entire population.  Quite unfair.

[run_to_win]

Fair enough.

-It's understandable that you don't have time which is why loyal peasants like me gladly hand deliver to your kingdom.

-Outside the PFT topic, I don't have a beef with Phin.  It's more of a passionate disagreement than beef.  Call me a dumbass in one thread and then a genius in the next.  It's all good.  Okay, okay - admittedly that was a stretch.  I realize that none of you really think I'm a dumbass.

-I don't think any of it is BS.  In my opinion Florio knocks the first 7 out of the park and get's at least a double on the eighth.  The guy makes EIGHT very coherent points about the officiating controversies in YESTERDAY's Super Bowl.  I thought it was timely and interesting. 

The fact that it's from PFT is totally irrelevant if not for the Leinhart-Rogers thread.

Let's see .... 90% of 8 points is 7.2 that are BS.  I just can't tell which ones.

That last line is just me being smartass/asshole (po-tay-to, po-tah-to).

[MaineDolFan]

I think it's a great stand alone thread, actually.  The only problem was that I was reading it in a predisposed "should I be looking for BS" way. 

Whoever wrote those points hit the nail on the head.  So if we're discussing the actual content of the post - the one that really stands out at me is the Stevens catch and fumble that was ruled a drop.  That happened at a fairly critical time in the early stages of the game...and I'm not hearing anyone else talk about it.

[Spider-Dan]

run_to_win, how's that vendetta working out for you?

The way you're acting, you'd think someone was forcing you to come to this forum.  Not that I'm telling you to leave, but you certainly do seem to have a problem with the "elites" and "reach-arounders" that apparently make up this forum's constituency.

[run_to_win]

I think it's a great stand alone thread, actually. 

Can you PLEASE repost this quoting my post?  PLEASE!  It may never happen again.  I'll print it out and post it on my wall!  I'll save it on my hard drive and fall back on it when I'm accused of making 100 dumbass posts in a row.  I'll submit it as my application to the future TDMMC HOF!

No sarcasm intended.  Some humor ... attempted... but no sarcasm!

[MaineDolFan]

I realize that none of you really think I'm a dumbass.

That's not true, I think you're a complete dumbass.


KIDDING...I'm just kidding.  How could I NOT take that shot?

[run_to_win]

run_to_win, how's that vendetta working out for you?

It's going great Spider!  Thanks for asking!  You're really underappreciated as a mentor!

you certainly do seem to have a problem with the "elites" and "reach-arounders" that apparently make up this forum's constituency.

There are elites on this board - they just don't act the part.  Gotta love 'em.  Omnipotent, yet modest!  I strive to be just like them - and will - once I work on my modesty.

And then there are those who think they're elite.  I've already discussed them ad-nauseam.

[MaineDolFan]

Does being elite come with free coffee?  I like free coffee.  Can I be elite? 

[run_to_win]

That's not true, I think you're a complete dumbass.


KIDDING...I'm just kidding.  How could I NOT take that shot?

Ubers and newbies alike - if I serve it up feel free to knock it out of the park.  No need to say you're joking .... unless of course it's not funny!

I'm still lauging about Sunstroke's grandslam! <= link (why don't they show up in a different color or underlined?)

[run_to_win]

If e-lite means going easy on the internet surfing I really need to be e-lite.  Frickin' football!  I'd be so frickin' productive if the game was de-invented. 

[MaineDolFan]

Football and baseball for me.  Thank GOD I get paid to do the baseball portion, otherwise I'd be in serious trouble.

Good ranting with you, Run.  I can't believe it's 4:00am.  Ug.  Sleep time.  Aloha.

[run_to_win]

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