Worst Calls of the Year - 2002

The Snow Job, Version 2

In what can only be described as an incorrect analysis of a poorly written rule, the Raiders were screwed out of a trip to the AFC title game by referee Walt Coleman who saw one thing, yet ruled another.  With less than 2 minutes remaining in regulation and the Raiders up by three points, cornerback Charles Woodson sacked Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, forcing the slippery ball out of his hands.  Oakland linebacker Greg Biekert recovered the loose ball near mid field.  New England, out of time outs, also appeared to be out of the playoffs.

Then they decided to review the call on the replay monitor.

After further review, Coleman ruled that Brady had moved his arm forward before Woodson forced the ball loose.  Replay clearly shows Brady with both hands on the ball just before he was hit and fumbled.  Furthermore, the original call on the field was a fumble.  To overturn the call, officials would need conclusive evidence that the original call was wrong.  One clever fan pointed out that based on Coleman's interpretation of the rule "Walt Coleman and the NFL have created the no-fumble, no- sack quarterback  Step 1: After taking the snap, QB steps back and cocks arm immediately.  Step 2: As he drops back in the pocket, QB very, very slowly moves ball forward.  Step 3: If hit, QB drops ball at his feet for an incomplete pass. Step 4: If protection holds up, QB finds open receiver, re-cocks arm and throws.  Defensive ends will still enjoy hitting the quarterback, but they'll never chalk up another sack."

New England, with its possession revived, produced a 45-yard game-tying field goal with 27 seconds left.  In overtime, New England kicker Adam Vinatieri made a 23-yarder to send the Raiders home for the winter.

Naturally, the NFL tried to cover up the botched call by explaining that according to the Tuck Rule, the call was correct. The Tuck Rule reads..."NFL Rule 3, Section 21, Article 2, Note 2: When a Team A player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his arm starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body. Also, if the player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble." Note the part that reads "if the player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble". Now look at the replay and photo above. In both images, Brady has returned the ball to his body and has both hands on the ball as he is hit and fumbles. According to the Tuck Rule, this constitutes a fumble. However, NFL officials attempted to cover their tracks.

NFL Supervisor of Officials Mike Pereira hit the Spin Room running on the Sunday following the game, prop football in hand, saying that when the rule was rewritten in 2000 to absolve the refs of judging "intent to pass", it meant that no fumble is called if a quarterback's arm is in a throwing motion or a pump-fake, and the ball comes loose before the ball is literally tucked back into the body--and here he mimed placing the ball under the arm, like a running back, saying "The ball has to be all the way back at the side of your body, then get jarred loose for it to be a fumble." This echoed Coleman's contention of the night before (again: "He would have had to have brought it all the way in and got it all the way underneath his arm in order for it [to be a fumble]"). Now let me ask you, where does the Tuck Rule state the ball has to be tucked under the quarterbacks arm like a running back? Furthermore, do you ever see a quarterback holding a football tucked under his arm unless he is running down field? If, according to Mike Pereira and Walt Coleman, a quarterback has to tuck the ball under his arm, then virtually every fumble ever committed by a quarterback in NFL history has been a bad call by the officials.

Walt Coleman's Parade of Errors

I received more email about this game that any other game this year.  Apparently, Minnesota got screwed.  Of course, nobody should be surprised given that Walt Coleman's crew officiated the game.  Walt is an embarrassment to the NFL, but I digress.  Five controversial calls went the Packers way in a close 26-22 win.  First, in the 4th quarter with the Vikings leading, TE Jim Kleinsasser was interfered with/tackled on a third down pass, but no call.  Second, The Packers were flagged for an illegal hold on a Packer punt return, but after a conference, Coleman picked up the flag and ruled no foul.  Even ESPN announcer Joe Theismann was amazed at that one.  Next, Favre's 40 yard TD pass to Robert Ferguson really only covered 38 yards as Ferguson was out of bounds short of the goal line.  

The real kicker was a questionable pass interference call on the Vikings Corey Chavous during the Packers game winning drive that negated an interception by teammate Jack Brewer.  Some pass interference calls are blatant, but this was no worse than the non-call on Kleinsasser earlier (where's the consistency?).  Finally, With 11 seconds remaining in the game, Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper completed a 17-yard pass to receiver Chris Walsh in the middle of the field.  With no one around him, Walsh knelt to end the play and give the Vikings a realistic shot at a Hail Mary pass from their own 43-yard line, but Packers defensive back Antuan Edwards pummeled Walsh. The NFL admitted Monday that Walsh should have been ruled down and not hit.  As an added bonus, a brawl breaks out between the teams due to the cheap shot on Walsh.  On Wednesday, In a confidential memorandum, the NFL acknowledged its officiating crew made at least nine mistakes during the game.  All in all, another fine example of Walt Coleman and his bonehead officiating crew blowing another game.

The Gift That Was 36

I've never come across an entire website dedicated to a specific football game. Developed by St Louis Rams fans, the site presents a bonanza of evidence including videos of countless questionable calls during the New England Patriots last second win over the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. What? The Patriots got breaks from the officials that helped them win a Super Bowl? No way! Check out the site...St Louis Rams.net

I thought leading with the helmet is a penalty?

I thought helmet to helmet on a QB in the pocket is a penalty?