Officiating

[bobblehead]

I have a diffferent take on this. I saw shields turn his head, find the ball, turn back to the rec. and go up for the ball. This should be a play the comp. committee looks at to determine what is and isn't PI. Thing with Shields is he turned his head to find the ball, but not his body! Most corners have to turn there whole body when looking for the ball. Just my opinion.

Personally I think it should be reviewable. I know its a subjective call, but any penalty that can be up to a 98 yard penalty should have a shot at review. PI is a game changer. holding is a drive killer which is bad enough for a subjective penalty, but PI is a GAME changer.

[mraynrand]

I disagree for 2 reasons. first, shields actually turned one way, then reversed, adjusting to the ball. That shows he knew full well where it was whether or not we thought he turned to watch it. second, shields actually went up and tipped the ball away from the reciever, which proves he was playing the ball....or the luckiest SOB ever. Both of them were fighting for the ball, shields is the first one to actually hit the ball. No call, and calling a 40? yard penalty right there could be a game changer.

Shields made contact before the ball arrived. He hit Jenkins' arms as he raised his hands and arms to defense the ball. He was not looking back. This is an easy one for the refs, because they can tell he isn't playing the ball. If he's turned, looking for the ball, they'll let him get away with a lot, but if his head is turned to the receiver, they will throw a flag on virtually any contact. That's how they are instructed to call it.

[MichiganPackerFan]

You know, the week had been going so well for me this week. The biggest game in the history of everything is on the horizon. One of the most sensational stories in NFL history is nearly complete. Eternal bragging rights over our closest and most hated rival for the past century is nearly within our grasp. Images of Ted Thompson standing on the 50 yard line at Soldier Field hoisting the George Halas trophy have been dancing around in my mind since Sunday afternoon. Never in my life have I ever been prouder to be a fan of this sport and this team.

Then comes a sour dose of bad juju as I discover who the man in the white hat will be come Sunday at 2pm. I couldn't believe it when I read in the comments section of a JSO article. It's on packerchatters too, as well as some Steelers forums.

The referee of the 2011 NFC Championship Game will be none other than Terry McAulay. A name burned into memory as the guy who jobbed the Packers for 18 penalties while seemingly letting the Bears do whatever the hell they wanted back in week 3 at Soldier Field. Guess Lovie needed some extra help this weekend. He must have friends in high places...

I know it is a mixed crew, but how is this even remotely competitively fair? If it wasn't for this fucker throwing the game in week 3, the bears wouldn't even BE in the playoffs, and now he has a chance to put them in the SB? We'd better blow them out early before this piece of shit can throw it again.

[Smidgeon]

I know it is a mixed crew, but how is this even remotely competitively fair? If it wasn't for this fucker throwing the game in week 3, the bears wouldn't even BE in the playoffs, and now he has a chance to put them in the SB? We'd better blow them out early before this piece of shit can throw it again.

Why don't you tell us how you really feel?

[Smidgeon]

That is one thing I'm worried about. They were very (overly) physical. If it's called both ways, but I fear a game where the Bears DBs mug our WRs, but we get called for ticky tack PIs.

Knowing the crew that will be officiating, that seems likely.

[bobblehead]

Shields made contact before the ball arrived. He hit Jenkins' arms as he raised his hands and arms to defense the ball. He was not looking back. This is an easy one for the refs, because they can tell he isn't playing the ball. If he's turned, looking for the ball, they'll let him get away with a lot, but if his head is turned to the receiver, they will throw a flag on virtually any contact. That's how they are instructed to call it.

Ok, how about the Kuhn TD. He runs to the pylon where Lofton straight out spears him helmet to helmet. No flag. Kuhn has to stay on a knee for a bit. He is attended on the sideline. Announcers say nothing about the blatant spear. NO flag. To my knowledge no fine. I still think shields displayed that he was playing the ball when he turned back to find it. Just because he looked away to play it better doesn't make it interference, but I can see why they called it being that he wasn't looking back AS he put his hand up. As for the contact, that was the very definition of 2 guys jockeying for position and the ball. On Jones TD the DB hit his arms more and harder with no flag (not that I think their should have been one).

[mraynrand]

As for the contact, that was the very definition of 2 guys jockeying for position and the ball. On Jones TD the DB hit his arms more and harder with no flag (not that I think their should have been one).

For the first - it was contact - Shields hit his arms before the ball got there. That is technically interference, not jockeying for the ball. Now, if his head had been turned, like the Jones defender, the refs would have very likely let it go, because Shields has the right to make a play on the ball. Since he wasn't looking for the ball, he is 'playing the man' not the ball - it is interference. The refs are trained (and d backs are trained) to know this critical difference.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Do the rules actually state that you have to turn your head? Or is this something many announcers continue to screw up?

I could see Shields getting called for PI, but it was iffy. The second replay seemed to show Shields interfering because it didn't go back far enough to show Jenkins doing the same hand jockeying. If you watch the first replay, it looks like two guys jockeying for the ball. Quite honestly, they could have called it either way on that play, and I would have been okay with it.

[mraynrand]

Ok, how about the Kuhn TD. He runs to the pylon where Lofton straight out spears him helmet to helmet. No flag. Kuhn has to stay on a knee for a bit. He is attended on the sideline. Announcers say nothing about the blatant spear. NO flag. To my knowledge no fine.

"15 yards:

1. A tackler using his helmet to butt, spear, or ram an opponent.
2. Any player who uses the top of his helmet unnecessarily."

" using any part of a players helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/hairline parts) or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily; although such violent or unnecessary use of the helmet is impermissible against any opponent, game officials will give special attention in administering this rule to protect those players who are in virtually defenseless postures."

From October:

"1. Players are expected to play within the rules. Those who do not will face increased discipline, including suspensions, starting with the first offense.

2. Coaches are expected to teach playing within the rules. Failure to do so will subject both the coach and the employing club to discipline.

3. Game officials have been directed to emphasize protecting players from illegal and dangerous hits, and particularly from hits to the head and neck. In appropriate cases, they have the authority to eject players from a game.
ROGER GOODELL"

Bottom line: First, the play happened so fast in real time, I'm not sure what the ref saw or thought he saw. The hit on Kuhn could have been called, but there is some wiggle room with the 'using' and 'unnecessarily' terms. Did the defender happen to make helmet to helmet contact in the act of making a tackle or did he 'use' his helmet to make contact with the defender. Did he 'unnecessarily' make contact with the crown of the helmet (Unnecessary I think means that he could have avoided it but led intentionally). Given that the defender launched his body and stretched out to knock Kuhn out of bounds, given that he was late, given it looked like a desperation dive, I'm guessing the officials judged there was no intent and no specific 'use' of the helmet. That's a guess. I think they could have, and probably should have ruled the other way. But it's a judgment call. I haven't seen anywhere where the head of officiating was asked about it. Or Mike Pereira:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Mike-Pereira-officiating-rulings-analysis-divisional-round-games-011511

[mraynrand]

Do the rules actually state that you have to turn your head? Or is this something many announcers continue to screw up?

I could see Shields getting called for PI, but it was iffy. The second replay seemed to show Shields interfering because it didn't go back far enough to show Jenkins doing the same hand jockeying. If you watch the first replay, it looks like two guys jockeying for the ball. Quite honestly, they could have called it either way on that play, and I would have been okay with it.

"Contact by a defender who is not playing the ball and such contact restricts the receiver’s opportunity to make the catch. "

Both criteria apply in the case of Shields. And yes, it was iffy, ticky tacky, but still technically correct.



edit: also,

"Actions that do not constitute pass interference include but are not limited to:

(a) Incidental contact by a defender’s hands, arms, or body when both players are competing for the ball, or neither player is looking for the ball. If there is any question whether contact is incidental, the ruling shall be no interference"

I think the refs would have ruled the contact incidental had shields been playing the ball. How do they tell he's playing the ball? His head is turned and looking back to the ball.

[Guiness]

"Contact by a defender who is not playing the ball and such contact restricts the receiver’s opportunity to make the catch. "

Both criteria apply in the case of Shields. And yes, it was iffy, ticky tacky, but still technically correct.



edit: also,

"Actions that do not constitute pass interference include but are not limited to:

(a) Incidental contact by a defender’s hands, arms, or body when both players are competing for the ball, or neither player is looking for the ball. If there is any question whether contact is incidental, the ruling shall be no interference"

I think the refs would have ruled the contact incidental had shields been playing the ball. How do they tell he's playing the ball? His head is turned and looking back to the ball.

+1

He has to 'show' he's playing the ball, and looking back for it is the way to do that.

caveat: I don't have a copy of the game tape, so can't re-watch and see what happened.

I know everyone else says 'how could he know when to jump for the ball'. There are various techniques - one that I was taught was to use a 'feeler'. When running down the field with a WR, keep a hand on their thigh, when you feel them jump, jump as well. Works quite well, and definitely not playing the ball.

[Smidgeon]

I guess my question would be: can you not play the ball without looking at the ball? I ask because one of Jenning's best traits is that he doesn't put his hands up until the last second to catch the ball. It removes the visual cues to the defender. Which means that some defenders can play the ball without looking at the ball because they're watching the receiver. So they can make a play on the ball without touching the receiver or looking at the ball.

Or would that be considered "not playing the ball"?

[Smidgeon]

+1

He has to 'show' he's playing the ball, and looking back for it is the way to do that.

caveat: I don't have a copy of the game tape, so can't re-watch and see what happened.

I know everyone else says 'how could he know when to jump for the ball'. There are various techniques - one that I was taught was to use a 'feeler'. When running down the field with a WR, keep a hand on their thigh, when you feel them jump, jump as well. Works quite well, and definitely not playing the ball.

I guess that answers my question...

[Guiness]

Ok, how about the Kuhn TD. He runs to the pylon where Lofton straight out spears him helmet to helmet.

Is it because he's a runner/ball carrier? I know when Quarless got hit (against Philly) the announcers commented on it, but looked at it again, and said because he had control and taken a step, he was a ball carrier and the rule didn't apply. However, looking at the rule mraynrand posted, I see no mention of that as an excuse.

[Smidgeon]

Is it because he's a runner/ball carrier? I know when Quarless got hit (against Philly) the announcers commented on it, but looked at it again, and said because he had control and taken a step, he was a ball carrier and the rule didn't apply. However, looking at the rule mraynrand posted, I see no mention of that as an excuse.

I agree. I think they're putting an extra step in the rules like the "making a second move while catching the ball".