OT: Officiating for the Lions game
It took me a little while yesterday to calm down, after the Lions loss. To be fair, I'm usually in a bad mood after a loss, but this one seemed to stay with me for a little while. Perhaps it was the result of the loss, which is a date next weekend with the Saints. Or perhaps it was the fact that we gave up 6TD's to a backup QB, making his 2nd career start. Those were all good reasons to be upset, but as much as I hate to admit it, because I hate blaming this aspect of the game, but I couldn't get over the way the game was officiated. One thought kept going through my mind; it's a rare game, when the NFL owes your team an apology for more than 1 call. In my mind, and I think in the minds of any fair minded football fan, there were three calls that were absolutely butchered. The Scheffler fumble (that granted, was overturned, but still cost us a valuable challenge), the Logan fumble, and the Titus Young Touchdown catch.
I understand that the Logan fumble was a judgement call, but how the ref made that judgement, is beyond me. I'm still waiting for the replay, that shows Logan fumbled that ball. Besides getting up, then proceeding to hand the ball to the ref, I'm not sure how much more down he could have been. The Titus Young call was probably the worst direct judgement call I've seen in foootball in a long time. The ref was in great position to make that call, and he missed the hell out of it.
I'm not here to defend the Lions defense, it was attrocious, so much so, I'm not sure how much better Aaron Rodgers would have played over Flynn. Had we made a couple stops here and there, the sting would've been lessened over these calls. But never in my life, have I seen three calls get so badly butchered against one team, in a single game. Like I said earlier, it's a rare game where the NFL owes your team an apology for more than one call in a game.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:19 AM ^
You forgot about the Jordy Nelson muffed fair catch that we recovered. Mike Peiera (sp?) and both analysts thought we got screwed on that one too. I hate to make excuses for the way we played but that was one of the worst officiated games I have ever watched. Seems to be commonplace for the Lions in Lambeau though...
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:01 PM ^
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:43 AM ^
Hilarious!
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:26 AM ^
I don't know what it is against the Lions but how can you review the Nelson TD and not the Young TD? I don't know if this is the NFL telling the Lions "Its not supposed to be your turn yet", or what the deal is.
For whatever reason these refs are not impartial and a lot of strongly worded letters should be sent to the NFL in regards to this.
I mean I know the Lions have shot themselves in the foot a time or two, but piling with the officials is atleast a 15yarder.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:33 AM ^
The reason they reviewed the Nelson TD was because it was called a TD and all TDs are reviewed. The titus young catch was not called a TD and the lions had no challenges left so they don't review that.
I have a feeling because of this game they are going to make some changes to the challenge system and probably that staff of refs out there yesterday.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^
Is it seems in the NFL that evidince doesn't have to be conclusive to overturn a call. If that truly is the case, they should rule everything on the field a touchdown, and then let Roger Goodell just decide who he wants to win from New York every week.
January 2nd, 2012 at 5:54 PM ^
Thanks for the rule clarification.
I really think they should opt for the college system where every play is reviewed.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:36 AM ^
The Nelson touchdown was called a touchdown, which is reviewable. Titus Young's touchdown was ruled incomplete, which was not booth reviewable. Complete garbage if you ask me
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:28 AM ^
Matt Flynn was the better QB. HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES?!
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:31 AM ^
Not trolling. Just an opinion. Grow up.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:28 PM ^
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:31 AM ^
Matt Stafford threw for over 5000 yards this past season with 41 TDs to 16 INTs at the age of 23. If you asked NFL GMs if they would have Stafford or Flynn all 32 would say Stafford. Anyone who says otherwise is an idiot.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:35 AM ^
He was the better QB yesterday. Look at the scoreboard. I agree Stafford is better. Don't call me names, it hurts my feelings.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:37 AM ^
Are an Idiot.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:42 AM ^
Thanks for the insight.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^
Using that logic then, you would argue that GB's WR James Jones is better than Calvin Johnson. I don't think so.
Idiot.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:33 AM ^
Seeing as you're part of the idiot crew that for some reason hates Stafford, I'll place this here for your enlightenment. http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/quarterbackRating/year/2011/seasontype/2
For those too lazy to click the link, Stafford was 5th in the NFL in Passer Rating.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:36 AM ^
Was the better team, Flynn was not the better qb.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:43 AM ^
Flynn was playing against starters.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:25 PM ^
The lions top 2 DBs did not play, so yes the backups were starters technically, but the lions still didn't have their top players out there.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^
This JV team talk is total bullshit. The Packers were down Woodson and Matthews on defense and the Lions were down Delmas, Aaron Berry, and Corey Williams. Both defenses weren't at 100% so it's a stupid argument by Packers fans that they were sending out their JV defense.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
First off, yes the lions got the shaft by the officials yesterday. Still, if they would have stopped GB one more time, they win. Their D deserves plenty of blame as well.
But, Flynn was the better QB yesterday. Better completion percentage, fewer INT's, more TD's, and the crucial game winning drive in crunch time. And Flynn doesn't have the athletic freak that is Calvin Johnson catching anything thrown within 7 feet of him.
Stafford had a great day. He's proven himself to be a very, very good quarterback. There's not arguing that he is more established right now. Whether Flynn will reach that level will be found out over time. But yesterday, Flynn was better, by pretty much any objective or subjective measure.
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:39 PM ^
difference? Time left in a game doesn't make a difference what type of plays were called?
I find it laughable to point to one game and say one player is a better overall player than another. Detroit is still without their best DB. And any reasonable runing back. Both most likely starting runners are out.
If the Lions had been up that touchdown that young caught which the ref standing right in front of him was too blind to see, the Lions would have been playing from ahead, not behind, and Stafford wouldn't have thrown the extra int at the end. They would have run the clock out.
Is Flynn good? Yes. Is he better than Stafford and was he better in that gaeme? Questionable.
Add the TD Stafford threw to Young and take off the last int, and stafford throws for more td's 1 int, more yards, and their team wins the game. And without nearly as many starters as GB sat.
I think the refs decisions changed the outcome of the game and as a result you are saying Flynn is better.
I just can't agree. Show me some PROOF. Show take a TD away from the packers and see how the outcome would have differed. You can't. And you can't show me that flynn was better.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:33 AM ^
The Lions lead the league in personal fouls because the NFL doesn't like them and the officials have it out for them.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:36 AM ^
Having Ndamukong Suh doesn't help.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:41 AM ^
He's a hell of a player. If he ever gets 100% focused, look out.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:36 AM ^
Lion fan may be the most sensitive fanbase I've ever seen. Be happy, they are in the playoffs.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:39 AM ^
Just go away troll. If people came on here talking shit about Michigan I don't think you'd take it too kindly, so us Lions fans politely ask you to gtfo.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:40 AM ^
Quit whining. This is not a Lion blog. I can post whatever I want.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:44 AM ^
Your life must be really boring if the best thing you can think of to do is bait Lion fans on a blog.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:47 AM ^
No not really. My son is taking a nap. It's my day off work so I'm browsing MGoBlog. No different than you, I'm sure.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:46 AM ^
When did I ever whine, buddy? All I'm saying is you need to grow up. You have nothing better to do besides troll other Michigan fans.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:49 AM ^
Settle down, buddy.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:43 AM ^
I'm not a Lions fan btw(though I do follow them and generally hope they do well). Seeing as I am a Falcons fan, I was actually happy they lost yesterday. I just can't really handle silly taunts and the last thing any reasonable person would mock the Lions for after yesterday's game is QB play.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:52 AM ^
I'm not trying to taunt Stafford. Silly taunts....see Suh. I don't really want the Packers to play the Lions either, they are going to be a tough out.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:59 PM ^
Supposedly Wayne Larrivee went nuts and called Suh classless when he pulled the "Belt Celebration" after his sack of Flynn. Who fucking cares what celebration he chooses to do. And you like to talk about how Lions fans are sensitive!
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:10 PM ^
I had to laugh when the announcers were whining about "oh, I wish he'd do that with more class." It's a fucking TOUCHDOWN DANCE. So it's classy and cool and quirky to strut around mocking your opponents like you have a WWE belt on, but it's classless to make fun of that? The world has officially rolled into irrational hater territory re: Suh.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:45 AM ^
lol, if you get in bad moods after a loss, you picked the wrong NFL team to root for.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:48 AM ^
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:48 AM ^
It was a great game to be at in person, I can tell you that...but:
What about the unsportsmanlike conduct on Grant for the snow angel?
What about the weak PI on Tramon Williams on the last drive. Just because Megatron is 6'6" doesnt mean he's guaranteed a flag whenever a 6'1" corner actually does a good job covering him.
Refs missed blatant taunting by Scheffler after his 4th quarter td and tap dance number
Bad calls go both ways and life isn't fair. Contrary to popular belief the Millen era doesn't entitle you shit. Schwartz, the Lions players and the fans need to quit crying, grow up and get ready for the Saints.
With all that said, this rivalry is gonna be a blast to watch the next few years.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:51 AM ^
Sorry for the block of text...the droid app doesnt acknowledge the use of the enter key on my qwerty keyboard.
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:54 AM ^
Grant layed on the ground for 30 seconds THEN he did a snow angel, I think that was the problem. The PI wasn't a bad call, it was unlucky for Williams that the ball was underthrown and he interfered with Johnson trying to come back to the ball. I think that's the PI you're talking about....
If you want taunting look at Bush on your team talking shit to Kevin Smith after he hit him while giving up a touchdown. I really hope Smith just got up and said "You just gave up a touchdown asshole, why are you talking shit?"
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:58 AM ^
Hypocrit much? Suh taunting Rodgers while Flynn is torching them?
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:03 PM ^
Yeah if Suh did that when he knocked Flynn down, but he got the throw off for a touchdown, that would be compeletely stupid. But Suh got a sack and celebrated, there's nothing wrong with that. Bush on the other hand, gave up a touchdown and got in someone's face.
There's a big difference.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:07 PM ^
Thanks for the spellcheck. I just thought the taunt by Suh was ridiculous. I thought the taunt by Bush was ridiculous. He's one of the worst DB's I've seen and has no business taunting anyone. Why are you so sensitive?
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:12 PM ^
it's funny, you're trying to make me get upset or something, so you can ask me why I'm so sensitve, but I'm not mad at all.
I'm done talking with you . See ya. Have a nice day. Go blue.
January 2nd, 2012 at 12:27 PM ^
I'm not trying to get you mad. You have a great day too. Go Blue and good luck against the Saints next week.