Cards’ final play, again, evades replay review

Week 1: 49ers at Cardinals It seems the Arizona Cardinals cannot finish a game without a controversial call on the last play of the game. In the first outing following the controversial game-ending fumble in Super Bowl XLIII, the Cardinals found themselves, again, in a last-second desperation call. With eight seconds left

Headlinesman reflects on Super assignment

The Ada Evening News of Ada, Okla., has a story on resident headlinesman Derick Bowers, who officiated Super Bowl XLIII. He provides an interesting read on the off-the-field work of an NFL official and about his officiating career. As for the Big Game, Bowers offered this assessment: “We were pleased with how

Head of refs firm on fumble, but should have been reviewed

Mike Pereira, the NFL vice president of officiating, conducted his last "Official Review" segment (video) of the season on the NFL Network today. Periera is retiring at the conclusion of next season. Pereira did acknowledge the controversy about not having Kurt Warner's fumble on the last play reviewed: Looking back at it

No further review on Cards’ last play

Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh vs. Cardinals Officials don't win or lose games. The Cardinals had a three-point lead with 2:47 remaining in the fourth quarter. So, rather the defense is mostly responsible for the outcome, rather than the denial of a last-second desperation play. Kurt Warner's last ditch effort did, however, deserve

What if it was a 99-yard interception return?

Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers vs. Cardinals James Harison's goal-line-to-goal-line run fortunately, and correctly, survived the replay review, but would not have been entirely disasterous if overturned. Even though time expired during the play, an Arizona facemask call would have given the Steelers another shot at the end zone. Being a personal foul,

A first in penalties

Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers vs. Cardinals The team safety awarded to the Cardinals — by virtue of the holding penalty enforced in the end zone — was the sixth safety in Super Bowl history. But, it was the first due to penalty.