The Crystal Ball 2008 Week 12

Whatever happened to the dude who used to show up at football games wearing a rainbow wig and holding a sign that said John 3:16? I miss that guy. He’s been harder to find than my punctuality.


Opening Kickoff

News reports state that Al Davis did not know that your team must have more points than the other in order to win a game.


Recap

Dang Eli can really work the hard count.

Boy the Bears defense just sucks. Really, was firing Ron Rivera that important? Since that season, each year they seem to get just that much more inept.

I cannot figure out who was more afraid of winning, Philly or Cincinnati. I guess it’s a tie. Oooooh!

That, Joe Flacco, is a Super Bowl winning defense. Welcome to the NFL rookie.

Ugh, poor Buffalo. Wide right again? How those fans keep from going postal I’ll never know.

Big game ball to Spencer Larsen, the first player to start both ways in five years. Spencer actually played the entire game, offensively at full back, defensively at linebacker and on special teams. Someone get that boy a Gatorade!


The Steel Pit

Ok, let’s look at the positives. The Steelers won a tough, highly contested game against the Chargers. They got 115 yards rushing out of Willie Parker, 124 yards receiving from Hines Ward and 308 yards passing from Ben Roethlisberger. No touchdowns from any of them, but still good work. They ran 73 offensive plays, racked up a total of 410 yards of offense and kept the ball for over 36 ½ minutes. Plus, their defense held a potent, but poorly coached, offense to 10 points plus scored two themselves which turned out to be the winning margin.

And in a great move, Santonio Holmes caught the last pass of the game for Pittsburgh on the 3 yard line, then fought to get out of bounds in order to preserve clock, as Pittsburgh had no timeouts remaining, and be able to kick the winning field goal. That extra effort from Holmes won the game.

Now, after I feel good about those things, let’s talk about what cheesed my crackers.

The officiating was nothing short of horrendous in this game. The officials’ first mistake came in the 1st quarter, where they called pass interference on Pittsburgh. It was a terrible call because the called the wrong Steeler, and the Steeler who’s number they should have called did not commit interference! He had position on the receiver and was in a better position to catch the ball.

Most of the other penalties in the game were correctly called, although a few were more than ticky tack. What really bothered me about it was the ridiculous disparity between the teams. The officials called 13 penalties on Pittsburgh for a total of 115 yards. San Diego, according to the officials, only committed 2 penalties for 5 yards. While I have a hard enough time swallowing Pittsburgh playing that sloppy, there is no way I can believe they played that poorly while San Diego played a completely clean game. And I’m not the only one. After Willie Parker’s touchdown was called back for holding, even Dan Rooney went to speak with a league observer in the press box.

And then, of course, was the last call where Troy Polamalu’s touchdown was nullified because of an illegal forward pass by the Chargers. More on this later.

Officials the next day stated that they made the incorrect call on Troy’s touchdown, but that sort of hind sight means nothing. What if Troy’s play had meant the winning points for Pittsburgh? If they lost the game because of a bad call, would having the officials admit such bring any consolation? No.

But it’s important to remember the most important thing; we won and are in control of the division again. So things ain’t all bad!


NFL The Alternative Universe

Everyone meow meows about Pittsburgh giving up sacks. Do you know going into the weekend, the vaunted Patriots and Matt Cassel have given up/allowed just as many as Pittsburgh? And they have a crappier schedule and two less wins. Why is no one talking about this? Oh, right, it doesn’t involve Tom Terrific. Sorry.

Oh, look, Pacman has done just enough “cleaning up” to get his job back. Commissioner, everyone is right. Pacman has some serious problems that need addressed by counselors and mental health professionals. How about helping him into some programs instead of some shoulder pads?

Super Bowl Champion and perennial pro bowler John Lynch officially retired this week. John spent the lion’s share of his career in Tampa Bay and was one of the key elements in turning the Bucs from perennial losers to a force. John was a tough competitor on the field who did more with what he had than most who are freakishly talented. John’s biggest talent was his determination and intelligence. Good luck in the future John.

And in just make me seethe news, according to a witness, Michael Vick found it amusing to put family pets into the ring with pit bulls and watch them fight. First off, this just makes me sick. Second, being a pet owner, it makes me fly into a rage. I mean, I have heard plenty of stories about pets being captured as ring fodder, and the thought terrifies and pisses me off. If any team actually does take a chance on this miserable excuse for a human being, they will automatically be inducted into my most hated teams’ hall of fame. And the NFL will lose a ton of luster in my eyes for even reinstating this jerk.


Upon Further Review

The NFL stated they will look into adjusting the instant replay rules allowing officials to make a possible second look if first review is questioned. This change could come by the playoffs and is obviously inspired by blown TD call at the end of the Steelers game. Now, is this change, which seems foolish, to get the call right or just window dressing after yet another weekend of screw ups by referees?

Let’s take a look at a sampling of some of the errors made by the men in stripes this season.

In the Tennessee-Baltimore game, the officials did not correctly call a stop to a play in which a false start occurred. A false start by an offense automatically brings a stop to play.

Aaron Rodgers was flagged for an illegal forward pass, even though he was throwing in the direction of a receiver and an illegal forward pass can only occur past the line of scrimmage, something Rodgers was far behind.

During the Chargers-Steelers tilt, where the officials obviously had some serious nonsense going on, the worst call came at the end of the game. Polamalu broke up the lateral and scored an icing touchdown. But after review, booth official Mike Wimmer stated the touchdown shouldn't count because of an illegal forward pass during the laterals and when the penalty occurred the ball should be ruled dead. No, that is not how the rules work. How it works is the play plays out, and then Pittsburgh would be given an opportunity to take the penalty or decline it. Unfortunately, the other officials agreed with Wimmer, showing that no one in charge of officiating knew the rule book.

The constant inconsistencies in calling obvious penalties regarding helmet to helmet hits, something the NFL has preached about eliminating and appropriately punishing.

Ed Hochuli, one of the leagues most respected officials, erred on the side of caution at the end of the Chargers-Broncos game, incorrectly calling Jay Cutler’s fumble an incomplete pass.

If even Ed is making mistakes, it’s time to make a serious change. And the change is one that should have come long ago. It is beyond time the NFL hires full time referees. I know the arguments against it, what would they do most of the year, how would we keep them busy, how can you justify the costs? Look, the answers are right there.

A) What would they do most of the year – well, how about studying the rule books? The examples above are but a short list of the errors made by referees where they show having a distinct lack of knowledge in basic rules of the game.

B) How would we keep them busy – well, studying and testing, both in theoretical knowledge of the rules and practical application of said rules? Have them demonstrate learned knowledge. Have them practice by officiating for mini camps, training camps, and semi pro leagues. This would also help the players learn more about the rules and what is acceptable on the field play.

C) How can you justify the costs – come on, this is the flimsiest excuse the league uses. You are a billion dollar industry; you have the scratch to make this happen. And if you really want to justify it besides the fact your bank account says so, think about this. The NFL is the most popular sport in the country, and the only one who allows its precious product to be potentially decided by part time workers. How many games have you seen where it looked like the referees are dictating the outcome? They sure looked like they were trying to do just that in the Chargers-Steelers game. And that control and power over highly contested and in the NFL universe important games is in the hand of guys who do this on the side.

My biggest concern, and it should be the league’s as well, is that these referees who do not seem to have full knowledge or a firm grasp on the rules, will make a mistake that will not only directly affect the outcome of a game, but it will be one that also affects the outcome of who makes the playoffs. There are more than a few teams that are on the bubble right now for a playoff spot, and if one of those teams loses a game and a playoff spot because of a blown call, you can damn well bet that an admission of error and apology will not suffice. And some owner will go so far to take legal action. I’d bet on it.

The NFL needs to do this, they just need to. There needs to be more consistency between crews, between calls made on the field and how things unfold each week. If the league does not do this, take this issue seriously, fans will eventually turn because they cannot take the inconsistency anymore. And then where will the golden goose be?


He Said He Said

"Injuries are as much a part of the game as blocking and tackling. We don't make any excuses in that regard. The people who play for us are the Steelers and the standard of expectation does not and will not change.” – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin

I like Tomlin more and more every week.

“My mother always said, 'If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.' I'm not commenting about the officiating." – Steelers WR Hines Ward

Fine Hines, I’ll say it for you. It’s BS and getting worse, and why you seem to have become a target, I want to know.

"The Panthers had the day off. They hosted Detroit.'' - Keith Olbermann

Tampa Bay has the week off this week. Hee hee.

"You want to go out on the street and look for me? If you bring somebody back, I'll look at him. You go out in the street and find one." – Lions head coach Rod Marinelli

Hey, and while you’re looking, can you scare up a punter for Pittsburgh?

"I am not 0-10; you are 0-10." – Lions head coach Rod Marinelli

You’re a towel!

"Donovan, your legacy will be throwing up in the Super Bowl, Rush Limbaugh and now -- not knowing there were ties!!!" Warren Sapp

Sapp is right, but it’s hard to take someone serious who participates in a televised dancing contest.

“You can’t play this game scared.” – Steelers WR Hines Ward

Hear, hear.


Idiot of the week

Yeah, this one is pretty obvious. Our winner this week is Eagles quarterback Donavan McNabb. Now, I know you’re thinking it’s because he did not know the NFL overtime rules specifically that after 5 quarters if the teams are still deadlocked the game ends in a tie. Yes, that was stupid, but since he’d never been in the situation and it’s been 6 years since the last tie, I can kind of understand. If I really stretch my imagination I can understand.

The kicker that got him this week’s honor, not being able to beat the super crappy 1-8 Bungles! If you cannot beat the Bungles, you are an idiot!


On Tap This Week

This week, not too shabby.

Last week 11-5
Season to date 100-68

Of course, it would have been much better if Philadelphia knew the simplest rules of the NFL that even grade school kids know. Yeesh.


Thursday

Cincinnati (1-8-1) at Pittsburgh (7-3)

Please, you know who I picked. A more in depth analysis coming next week, but I will give you this. Read Ross Tucker’s great perspective on Ward’s hit on Keith Rivers and the Bungles misguided nonsensical talk about paying Ward back. A great piece from a former player with great inside knowledge and I highly recommend it.

Steelers over Bungles


Sunday

Philadelphia (5-4-1) at Baltimore (6-4)

I’m sorry, but if you cannot beat the Bungles in five quarters, I can no longer trust you. Period.

Ravens over Eagles


New York Favres (7-3) at Tennessee (10-0)

Tennessee will lose at some point, but I don’t think this week. Unless the NFL really wants the Favres to be the ones who topple the giant.

Titans over Jets


Tampa Bay (7-3) at Detroit (0-10)

Hee hee, yeah right. Welcome to your Thanksgiving day special, the 0-11 Lions.

Buccaneers over Lions


Minnesota (5-5) at Jacksonville (4-6)

Jacksonville is a shadow of itself, and Adrian Peterson is not.

Vikings over Jaguars


Buffalo (5-5) at Kansas City (1-9)

Buffalo will finally find offense, and Herm will start brushing up his resume.

Bills over Chiefs


Chicago (5-5) at St. Louis (2-8)

Please. I don’t think the Rams could win a game of who can fall down the fastest.

Bears over Rams


New England (6-4) at Miami (6-4)

I’m going with Joey here. Plus, I just like the idea that New England is weakened and could miss the playoffs.

Dolphins over Patriots


San Francisco (3-7) at Dallas (6-4)

Well, if Singletary drops trouser again, all bets are off. But for the moment, I’m going with the train wreck that is America’s team. Is it not weird to think this game was once looked upon as a marquee match up?

Cowboys over 49ers


Houston (3-7) at Cleveland (4-6)

Brady Quinn has a broken finger. I still like him more than Sage Rosenfels.

Browns over Texans


Oakland (2-8) at Denver (6-4)

Do you think if the NFL contracted a few teams, specifically Oakland, would anyone be upset?

Broncos over Raiders


Carolina (8-2) at Atlanta (6-4)

Oooooh, good match up. How far as Atlanta truly come? Not far enough. Yet.

Panthers over Falcons


New York Giants (9-1) at Arizona (7-3)

I wanna take the Steelers West, but Eli and Company just seem too strong. I’m going safe pick.

Giants over Cardinals


Washington (6-4) at Seattle (2-8)

Just a few more games until Holmgren’s transformation into a walrus is complete.

Redskins over Seahawks


Indianapolis (6-4) at San Diego (4-6)

San Diego and Norv Turner suck. Peyton and Tony Dungy do not. You do the math.

Colts over Chargers


Monday

Green Bay (5-5) at New Orleans (5-5)

Oh, how much fun is it to watch everyone learn that the Giants were so very right about Jeremy Shockey. Well, except for Saints players, personnel and fans.

Packers over Saints