Backwards is Forwards?

[BallHawk]

I don't think it was a brain fart, Harlan. I think it was simply McCarthy showing some class and not challenging a play that only would of resulted in a 10-15 yard loss. If the Packers recover maybe he challenges, but at that point in the game you're not looking to embarrass the other team. McCarthy's challenged some many random plays this year that I would find it hard to believe this would would of been an exception.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I think it was simply McCarthy showing some class and not challenging a play that only would of resulted in a 10-15 yard loss. If the Packers recover maybe he challenges, but at that point in the game you're not looking to embarrass the other team.

I don't remember exactly when this happened, but they didn't have the game put away. It was a sure-thing, "class" does not enter into it.

[ND72]

They'll say later that yes....we fucked up. Sorry.

Subway Commerical...."I'll penalize the other team later in the game, for no good reason at all."

[The Leaper]

Re: Backwards is Forwards?

I'm going to predict that this is one of those obscure rules, and that the refs got it right.

Don't think so.

For one thing, Hasselbeck was NOT stepping forward. He was pivoting backwards as he threw the ball. I'm not sure who had the bright idea to use that as an excuse...but it made Moose look like an idiot.

It doesn't matter where the target receiver is...if you release the ball and it goes backwards, it is a lateral. If there is a rule pertaining to the QB stepping forward, it won't apply in this instance.

It was a good no challenge by McCarthy. The game was essentially over by that point...no need to rub it in. We were up 3 scores with under 10 minutes to play...and Seattle had only scored 6 points in the last 3 quarters at that point.

[Harlan Huckleby]

What was the score when the lateral happened? I thought it was early in third quarter when game was still undecided.

[The Leaper]

What was the score when the lateral happened? I thought it was early in third quarter when game was still undecided.

I'm not entirely sure of the time...but I'm pretty positive it occured in the 4th quarter.

[Fosco33]

What was the score when the lateral happened? I thought it was early in third quarter when game was still undecided.

I'm not entirely sure of the time...but I'm pretty positive it occured in the 4th quarter.

It was right after the terrible 15 yr PF on Williams for a major facemask (clearly showed a minor infraction after being held).

Happened with about 9 min left in 4th Q - same score as final.

[PackerTimer]

Why didn't McCarthy challenge?

There didn't appear to be a whistle, the players were scrambled for the ball much later, and the refs didn't stop play.

MM skipped/missed a challenge at another point during the game. Brett had to call it to his attention to get a flag. It was to determine exactly where the ball had stopped on field, making it 3rd down or 4th. You probably all remember that one.

Actually, I got kind of tired of hearing the announcers saying Favre was responsible for that challenge. MM had a ton of time to look at the replay on the board as a result of the measurement. I'm sure the guys in the booth took a close look at it too. Just because we saw Favre, pointing up at the screen doesn't mean MM wasn't aware of the situation. I think everybody in the stadium and watching knew that play was going to be challenged and I'm 100% positive that MM knew what was going on with that one.

[MJZiggy]

In his press conference, M3 said that he did not have a good view of it, but Philbin did up in the booth, knew it was a bad spot and was already on it before Favre said anything about it. M3 gave props to everyone from the booth to the scoreboard operators for that one.