Officiating

FKAGobucks877 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-27-2005, 08:32 AM

I've seen several articles that mention this, so I thought I'd throw it out here for us to discuss. Does anyone else have a problem with the officiating this year? And I'm not talking about some kind of bias against tOSU, I'm just talking in general. Offensive holding is apparently not a penalty anymore. Conversely, if you are a member of the kick-off or punt coverage team, it is no longer legal to block whatsoever. If you try, you will be flagged. Another one I've seen mentioned, but not witnessed personally, is the roughing the punter call. This trend is really starting to bother me - especially the holding. When you have a stellar pass rush, and your opponent resorts to what amounts to cheating to neutralize it, there is nothing you can do if the officials don't call it. I couldn't believe how many times I saw holding go uncalled last night in the Tenn/LSU game. Unbelievable.

osugrad21 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-27-2005, 08:35 AM

Wait until the referees are instructed to call the helmet-leading hits more frequently...

Then it will be time to break out the flags or play some 2-hand touch.

Dryden · #3 (**permalink**) 09-27-2005, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FKAGobucks877

I couldn't believe how many times I saw holding go uncalled last night in the Tenn/LSU game. Unbelievable.

Aside from the blatant holding no-calls last night, the officiating crew completely missed all the motion penalties and false starts, particularly on Tennessee. One or the other of Tennessee's tackles either came out of his stance or held on every single play, and Tennessee's FB fell forward out of his stance, or took a half-step, before the snap every single time they lined up in the I-Formation. What killed LSU is that they got called for offsides routinely because they'd jump the line when the FB stepped forward. There were at least 15 uncalled motion penalties on Tennessee in that game last night, and a handful that were wrongly called against the LSU defense.

Everything about that game last night, Tennessee's first half, LSU's second half, Les Miles' clock management, Fullmer's QB rotation management, Russell's and Ainge's decision making, the officiating, the announcing/commentary, even the damn production who couldn't get the audio/video in sync, lost the audio, displayed wrong graphics ... every single aspect of the game last night was a train wreck. If we add the FSU/Miami special teams play from four weeks ago we'd have an entire instructional video series for how not to play, coach, officiate, or broadcast football.

Spazztic1 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-27-2005, 09:06 AM

The Block in the back against O'neal on Teddy Ballgames punt return really upset me. He barely touched him. However he did put his hand on his back right in front of the ref. Worst part is I don't think it would have mattered either way if O'neal touches him or not. I think Teddy would have still taken it to the house if O'neal just stands there and watches the guy wiff on the tackle. I know this is a given but Damn TGII is amazing. Just had to say it.

Onebuckfan · #5 (**permalink**) 09-27-2005, 09:24 AM

Just a thought are the referee's and the umpire's spending more concentration on ball possession,(fumbles,whether an arm is going forward,etc) so they won't be overturned on review. Instead of looking for holding by the OL.

coxew · #6 (**permalink**) 09-27-2005, 09:26 AM

The (non)holding crap has been going on for years now. Remember Will Smith getting held every play? The same is now happening with Kudla and Carpenter. It's not just college either. This is happening in the NFL as well.

Quote:

Wait until the referees are instructed to call the helmet-leading hits more frequently...

See Atlanta v Phily. The Atlanta linebacker got fined for the hit he put on McNabb right in the chest. The officials didn't see it worthy of throwing the flag but as part of their review process, the NFL deemed it worthy of a fine. Since officials are graded and this play went uncalled affecting their grade, you can bet it's going to be called the next time someone puts a head into another players chest. This is football for crying out loud. Let them play.

Quote:

Another one I've seen mentioned, but not witnessed personally, is the roughing the punter call.

I understand protecting the kicker but the acting job they do has gotten ridiculous. I don't think Whitner should have been called against Miami. Both camera angles looked to me like he went under and behind the punter and he then lost his balance and tripped over Donte. This happens all the time yet they still call it when it's obviously not roughing the kicker.

FKAGobucks877 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-27-2005, 09:41 AM

The roughing the kicker crap has gotten pretty bad. I think there should be an "unsportsmanlike" flag thrown on the kicker if they pull an acting job to get the flag.

Also, while the offensive holding (non)calls have been going on for several years, it's really gotten worse recently. Last night in the LSU/Tenn game, that Mahelona guy busted throught he LOS and was chasing the QB while the OL was hanging onto his shirt. There was the QB, the DL being held by the OL, and nobody else. It was obvious, it was flagrant, and it was uncalled. Ridiculous. I can't believe how bad it's getting. Yet, while it is ok to hold on passing plays, if you engage a DL on a sweep or end-around, that will draw a holding flag every time.

Zurp · #8 (**permalink**) 09-27-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FKAGobucks877

The roughing the kicker crap has gotten pretty bad. I think there should be an "unsportsmanlike" flag thrown on the kicker if they pull an acting job to get the flag.

Thats a pretty good idea. It might have been Army-ISU game on Friday where the ISU punter was "bumped" and then he fell down. It was pretty obvious that the bumping did not knock him down, but he got the penalty, anyway.