Image: Dallas Cowboys photo
- First, our quick calls [Football Zebras]
- The pink penalty flags did cause some confusion with the players’ pink towels, all symbolic for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, a clock operator briefly stopped the clock because one of the pink towels looked like a penalty flag. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is re-evaluated this week, and the penalty markers are yellow on Thursday. [Update 2 p.m.: The pink flags are already retired.]
- The Giants challenged an Eagles pass ruled complete, even though the process of the catch was not completed. Giants coach Tom Coughlin: “I was very surprised, as was our sideline and upstairs, when they did not reverse it.” [Ralph Vacchiano, NY Daily News]
- In Philadelphia? “Coughlin’s move was sound, since [receiver LeSean] McCoy clearly lost the ball on his way to the ground.” Really. [Marcus Hayes, Phi Daily News]
- More reaction: Former referee VP says after Walt Coleman’s non-reversal, he’s changed his mind, that all reviews should go to league headquarters at 345 Park Avenue. [Mike Pereira, Fox]
- Seahawks recovered a blocked punt in the end zone, but Jeron Johnson did not maintain control, so a safety was ruled: “The ref gave the explanation that when I went to stand up, the ball moved” [Bob Condotta, Sea Times]
- “You try to defend every blade of grass…. I left my feet and I don’t know how to stop mid-air,” said Moise Fokou on a sideline hit of Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith. Fokou’s coach Mike Munchak said, “I think there is an inconsistency on how that is called.” [John Glennon, Tennesseean]
- Bengals defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry: “I got over-aggressive on one play. I understand the referee has a job to do.” [Mark Inabinett, Mobile AL Press-Register]
- Former Bengals coach Sam Wyche was told in 1988 by commissioner Pete Rozelle’s minions that the hurry-up offense would result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. [Tom Rock/LI Newsday]
- “An iffy call” for tripping on Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh (although, contrary to the article, it is not a personal foul and not subject to a fine) [Chris McCosky, Det News]
- In the Sunday night game, referee Mike Carey had his brother, Don, working at back judge. [h/t @hokie_Byrd]
- Jeff Triplette called it how he sees it: “unnecessary roughness… with a body slam.” [NFL video]
Tweets
After Coughlin’s failed challenge
wow
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) October 6, 2013
And, then…
End of Sunday football: 2:39 a.m. Monday.
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) October 7, 2013
Was that clock stoppage error the weird one in the CIN/NE game? If so, I believe it also essentially cost CIN a timeout, as once they figured it out they resumed the play clock with 6 seconds left and no one in any sort of formation.
No, the one I saw was PHI-NYG. Sure about the 6-second thing? I think the minimum there can be on a play clock restart is 10 seconds. I’ll have to look into that.
I mean, I was watching the TV broadcast, so it was hard to tell what was really happening. There was a long (~3-4 minute) stoppage for no apparent reason, the officials were conferring even though no flag had been thrown on the previous play, the CIN offense was standing around near the sidelines, and CBS’ graphic was showing the play clock at :06 and the game clock, I believe, at 10:32 (can’t remember if it was third or fourth quarter, but was definitely in the second half). Then the head official announced that the game clock would be changed to 10:20, and that the play clock would resume from where it was. CIN was quite obviously unprepared to run a play when the whistle blew shortly thereafter (and CBS’ play clock graphic moved to :05, and then :04), and the Bengals called their first timeout. Seemed really weird.
While the TV clock is not accurate as to precisely indicate when a second ticks off, it is an accurate representation within a fraction of a second. If the play clock stalled at 6, I am fairly certain they are required to move it up to 10, even with a game clock adjustment. In any event, the referee should have informed the quarterback what was going to happen on his whistle.
Bengals used a timeout that they should not have:
Rule 4-6-3 “Interruption of Play Clock”:
Good to know. From what I could tell from the broadcast, that did not happen, and should have.