RIGGED

[Raptorman]

What I'm trying to point out is that the guy running the 1st down marker in the pictures is only a 1st down marker (not the official chains) for reference and he doesn't have a 'chain'. The official chains are on the other side of the field and not shown, so I don't think you can blame the guy holding the 1st down marker in the picture. Of course if we had a picture of the official chains on the other side, then we could determine for sure who really was at fault. If the official chains were set correctly, then yeah, it would be the guy in the pictures that would be at fault. But it is possible the official chains were set at the 18 instead of the 17. Either way, the chain gain messed up - just don't know if it was the official chains on the other side of the field or the guy holding the 1st down marker in the pictures.

And the point being, if the official chain were on the other side of the field at the 18, why was the ball spotted on the 17? Either way, something is 3 feet off. And 3 feet off in a game of inches is a long way. If a player lines up 3 feet off, he gets a penalty.

[Purple Reign]

And the point being, if the official chain were on the other side of the field at the 18, why was the ball spotted on the 17? Either way, something is 3 feet off. And 3 feet off in a game of inches is a long way. If a player lines up 3 feet off, he gets a penalty.

Again, nobody is disputing there was a major screw up here - just would like to know if it was the official chain gang or the unofficial 1st down marker.

[Raptorman]

Again, nobody is disputing there was a major screw up here - just would like to know if it was the official chain gang or the unofficial 1st down marker.

If you look at the lower left corner of the second picture you can see the yard marker on the close end of the field. In that picture, it looks about 3 yards from the were the players are lined up. Also, if you look at were the ref on the far side is standing in the first and last picture, both 1st downs, it is only 9 yards. Either way, the Ravens got a 1st down only going 9 yards.

[yezzir]

And the point being, if the official chain were on the other side of the field at the 18, why was the ball spotted on the 17? Either way, something is 3 feet off. And 3 feet off in a game of inches is a long way. If a player lines up 3 feet off, he gets a penalty.

These types of calls shouldn't be wrongly confirmed. If 95% of the TV viewers can see an obvious correct decision after 2 or 3 replays, there is NO EXCUSE that professionals being paid $100k+/year can get it wrong; yet we see it way too often...and a lot of times in favor of teams who control the majority of $ involved.

[VikingLord]

A.K.A. The Non-apology Apology.

This has to be the most meaningless thing I've ever read (not your post, Yezzir, but the call from the NFL to Frazier).

Who cares that they are "sorry" or even apologized? That means nothing. It changes nothing.

[Purple Reign]

If you look at the lower left corner of the second picture you can see the yard marker on the close end of the field. In that picture, it looks about 3 yards from the were the players are lined up. Also, if you look at were the ref on the far side is standing in the first and last picture, both 1st downs, it is only 9 yards. Either way, the Ravens got a 1st down only going 9 yards.

How many times am I going to have to say this? There is no dispute that the Ravens got a 1st and 9. The dispute is whether it was because of the official chains (which were on the other side of the field and we don't have a picture of it) or if it was the guy holding the unofficial 1st down marker in the pictures.

[yezzir]

This has to be the most meaningless thing I've ever read (not your post, Yezzir, but the call from the NFL to Frazier).

Who cares that they are "sorry" or even apologized? That means nothing. It changes nothing.

Exactly. All the apology to a coach does, is tell the average NFL fan that the refs "screwed up" and will try to fix it -- which most believe.

Sorry, but you can't convince me that a non-crooked ref truly felt Gerhardt fumbled that ball, or that Greenway PI'd....especially after being reviewed.

[Raptorman]

How many times am I going to have to say this? There is no dispute that the Ravens got a 1st and 9. The dispute is whether it was because of the official chains (which were on the other side of the field and we don't have a picture of it) or if it was the guy holding the unofficial 1st down marker in the pictures.

Just pointing out that the official chains look like they were at the 17 yard line according to the 2nd picture. The 2 down marker looks like it is about 3 yards away. Someone will get a better picture of it. One from the other side would be nice.

[Purple Reign]

Just pointing out that the official chains look like they were at the 17 yard line according to the 2nd picture. The 2 down marker looks like it is about 3 yards away. Someone will get a better picture of it. One from the other side would be nice.

It's really hard to tell from that picture where the official chain was marked at as you only see the top of the marker and not where it is set in the ground. A better picture would definitely clear this up. But let's assume that the LOS was set correctly at the 17, which it appears to be. That means that either the guy on the other end of the chain didn't pull it tight (which I find hard to believe would be a full yard short), or if he did, then more than likely the guy on the other side of the field was way off setting his 1st down marker and he probably should be fired from the job.

[thatguy]

Just wanted to let everyone know that Frazier got a call from the league today to talk about officiating in today's game. Apparently this isn't the first time this season that he's gotten a call of this nature, and it has happened at least once before. Too bad a "sorry" and "we'll do better next time" doesn't really feel too much better.

http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/nfl/minne ... kID=971117

[purpletinted66]

[NextQuestion]

My point with Carl Johnson being on Morelli's crew is that they should be one of the best crews out there.

[Purple Reign]

My point with Carl Johnson being on Morelli's crew is that they should be one of the best crews out there.

And my point is the non reverse of the fumble was strictly Morelli's call and has no reflection whatsoever on Johnson. Plus all the other questionable calls for PI came from the back judges, not Johnson. Now if Morelli used to be VP of officiating, then you would have a valid point.

[King James]

This is why I love watching college football and high school football instead. Too much politics and money involved in today's NFL. It seems like to win in today's NFL, you have to be everyone's favorite like Brady, Brees, Manning, Flacco, Rodgers, and etc. If the NFL doesn't fix their officiating soon, im just going to stick to college football. I know the Vikings are out of the playoffs this year but this game was ours to win.

[Hunter Morrow]

I think this is the 5th time the league has officially said "sorry" to use for grossly bad and
potentially criminally bad officiating. This is the second time this year alone!
Well, sorry! I'll never pay a penny for NFL merch again.

The NFL has Donaghies in it. I am convinced.