For those who don’t believe refs can be bias or corrupt

anybody that thinks fixes arent still around are being naive.

this had all the makings of it

can they fix the next one for us?

Tonight showcased an officiating crew that’s near the top in the “most flags thrown” category for the season. I believe they’re #2 in that category??? (At least according to Saints postgame radio)

9 first downs out of 26 for the Falcons coming off of penalties??? BULLCRAP!

quote:

---

We had a defensive lineman flagged for holding, on a run play. How is that possible?

---

It's extremely rare, but it happens occasionally. Sorta like how when the ball is thrown, both the receiver and the DB have the same rights and rules to make a catch without interference. Though the receiver gets called for "illegal touching" interference much rarer than the DB.

Both offensive and defensive linemen have the right to move about the field without being held. You can "lock up" the other lineman, which is why offensive linemen are taught to get their hands into the middle of the DL's shoulder pads at the chest area. But if the DL pulls away, the OL can't grab or tackle the DL as they move about the field.

Same thing with a DL. If an OL doesn't try to block you and is going somewhere else, the DL can't grab or tackle the OL as he moves about the field. This might happen if a DL is trying to prevent an OL from blocking a linebacker to keep the linebacker free to make a tackle.

Thing is, it's called so rarely and happens so rarely that it has to be a blatant display of holding. Usually when it's called, you get a replay of a DL tackling the shite out of an OL that slipped past the line of scrimmage. But we never got that last night. Never saw the DL holding infraction.

Last night was a terrible display of officiating. I don't think it's possible for a ref crew to "fix" a game, but I do think they can make it damn hard for one team to win. Keep a few rare calls in their pocket. Defensive holding, head coach gets too rowdy, extra picky on where players are lined up to be considered "on the line of scrimmage." They're easy calls to throw to influence a game, and it looked damn sure like that's what happened last night.

I actually used to referee basketball games and can tell you from experience that if someone pissed me off during a game, they would pay a price for it. It’s just human nature. That said, the defensive holding calls looked legit for the most part. However, the roughing the passer penalty on Rankins was a joke. At one point, there was a flag thrown on virtually every play. Yes, refs can determine the outcome of a game, if they so choose.

There is holding on every play in the NFL. I have no problem with a tightly called game, just be consistent.

I was thinking the same exact thing. Who the hell was he holding and why would he be holding instead of trying to chase down the RB? Completely obvious!

From start to finish the refs were out to win this game. I applaud CSP for speaking up, and he hasn't shut up yet. Our defense played outstanding and the refs gave the Falcons 9 first downs. I've seen some very questionable calls over the years, but I never watched a game like this. Not as Saints fan, but a fan of football, these refs need to be investigated. They were clearly crooked.