The Ref Crutch: A Study in the Blame Game

[skrayper77]

If you're talking about the same play I saw, then I don't think it was a deliberate trip. I didn't see all the plays, however - we're up at a friends and I was switching between that and a friend who is a UGA fan watching his game.

 

[Tide64]

On the radio broadcast last night, Eli first said it was the wrong call. Later he said he had checked with the replay official and that the rule has changed and any waving of the arm, not just above the shoulder, is now a fair catch signal. He apologized for broadcasting the wrong information.

Fair Catch
ARTICLE 1. a. A fair catch of a scrimmage kick is a catch beyond the
neutral zone by a player of Team B who has made a valid signal during a
scrimmage kick that is untouched beyond the neutral zone.
b. A fair catch of a free kick is a catch by a player of Team B who has made
a valid signal during an untouched free kick.
c. A valid or invalid fair catch signal deprives the receiving team of the
opportunity to advance the ball, and the ball is declared dead at the spot
of the catch or recovery or at the spot of the signal if the catch precedes
the signal.
d. If the receiver shades his eyes from the sun, the ball is live and may be
advanced.

Valid Signal
ARTICLE 2. A valid signal is a signal given by a player of Team B who
has obviously signaled his intention by extending one hand only clearly
above his head and waving that hand from side to side of his body more
than once.

Invalid Signal
ARTICLE 3. An invalid signal is any waving signal by a player of Team B
that does not meet the requirements of a valid signal (Rule 6-5-3).

This is from the NCAA rulebook titled "FOOTBALL 2009-10 RULES AND INTERPRETATIONS". So what they should have said was that Arenas made an invalid signal. This is about the dumbest rule I have ever seen. Whether the signal is valid or not, you've basically signalled a fair catch. Obviously the invalid signal is open to interpretation by the refs and it was quite obvious that Arenas was waving off his teammates.

 

[It's On A Slab]

There have been plenty of terrible calls this year, and the Tide has both benefited and been victimized by them.

I can tolerate the complaints when a call or two decides a football game, but complaining about bad ref calls in a 31-3 rout is hilarious.

 

[Tidester]

It's amazing to me that every team we've played this year was "better" than Alabama, they lost because their team either got screwed by the refs or didn't play "their game" that day. But make no mistake about it. They are "better" than Alabama. :wink:

If the refs are cheating for us, then I say keep doing it. We are winning big most games and I am enjoying this year immensly. RTR!!!

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Their working hypotheses is that the Bumphis call was pivotal and changed momentum in the game - that the game would have turned out differently without it...

 

[GeorgiaTider]

If the refs are cheating for us, then I say keep doing it.

Huh? You're kidding right? I don't think they are cheating for anyone, but please don't give the trolls more ammo for their tinfoil hat theories.

 

[bayoutider]

Their working hypotheses is that the Bumphis call was pivotal and changed momentum in the game - that the game would have turned out differently without it...

The earths climate would be different if we switched our moon with the sun. Give them that score and we would still win where are their math skills?

 

[Van]

I can't believe this. After watching the game, i thought surely MSU had nothing to complain about. There were at least 2 or 3 blocks in the back on the KO return; no call facemask penalties; the invalid signal on arenas (2 refs there and neither saw that he was clearly waving to his blockers to protect him?); and the 12 men on the field (rewatching the game to find it (was it a punt or Kickoff?)

I will NEVER say that bad calls or a SINGLE bad call cannot lose a football game for a team, but I don't think MSU even deserves a chance to complain about the refs, they were CLEARLY manhandled...

 

[Tidester]

Huh? You're kidding right? I don't think they are cheating for anyone, but please don't give the trolls more ammo for their tinfoil hat theories.

No, I'm not serious. I was being sarcastic.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

The Red Elephant Club strikes again. Secret message (viewable only by REC Operatives), follows.

Use the special foil hat and anti-microwave glasses issued to you in September, and highlight the area between the lines:

-------------------
Memo to: REC Operatives
RE: Operation Barn Burner
Status: Classified

Your requested payment ($10,000 in small, unsequenced bills) has been left in the usual location. Please proceed immediately to the dropoff zone and collect your dirty money.

Monitor ITAT for any indication that the barners are on to our little plan, and watch this site for further instructions.

Signed,

REC Operations Leader
Codeword: Cheeze It

-------------------

 

[JohnnyCache]

If you hear helicopters just ignore it, it's probably nothing. It's probably just in your head. Just like that voice behind you now.

 

[Aledinho]

Their working hypotheses is that the Bumphis call was pivotal and changed momentum in the game - that the game would have turned out differently without it...

Well, when you think about it. Say they score a touchdown on the return. On that same possession, they had a wide open receiver that didn't see the ball on a possible touchdown pass. So thats 16 points so far (I gonna assume they make the two point conversions). PLUS...plus they eventually ended up missing a field goal. So thats a nineteen point turn around just on that one drive.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

By "dawgonedeb":

First off, let me say this in no way is a bash against Tyson Lee. I congratulate him for being the person he is but we all know his limitations. Anyway, these are my thoughts on the game: despite the score and all the stats leaning Alabama's direction, with a decent, game managing QB we man-handle Alabama. Yes, I know this is a big IF and i mean BIG!!! But think about it... First off we're up 14-0 after first two drives. Include our field goal. 17-14. That's including bama's first two scores. I strongly believe Bumphis got in the endzone. 24-14. Then i believe we at least get a field goal on Berry's return. 27-14. Then we get on 5 yard line, should be touchdown. 34-14. Then give us the throw's down towards the endzone. So at least 41-14. But once again this is all if's. So don't take this to heart. Didn't have to happen this way, most likely wouldn't but could've happened. All this really shows is how close we are! Guys we're one player away from beating #2 Alabama badly. Mullen has done such a great job already. The future looks amazing in Bulldog country.

 

[wisten]

LMAO!!! HSV --- OMG... some of them really think that way? My God... I knew knew... We are a horrible team and should have been proud to simply step on the same field as MSU.

I can not express my shame for us having a meager thrity-one points and denying their forty-one points.

How can we ever raise our heads again?

 

[sonoma]

By "dawgonedeb":

Jaw just hit floor.

 

[bayoutider]

By "dawgonedeb":

He assumes his defense holds us and Ingram scoreless the rest of the game.

 

[Jack Bourbon]

There's "assuming," and then there's what that guy's doing which doesn't really have a word to describe it.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

There's "assuming," and then there's what that guy's doing which doesn't really have a word to describe it.

The closest thing that I could think of was "hallucinating," but even that falls a bit short.

 

[saraelizabethua]

By "dawgonedeb":

You forgot a part:

"And then, a time machine appears, our team gets in, goes back to the Florida game, beats them, gets back in the machine, beats those other teams we lost to, and fast forwards to our big win in Pasadena! Yeah!"


What a doofus.

 

[BamaFlum]

Let's see if we can play his game. IF we hit all the open receivers in the LSU game...never mind. You know the if's and butt's and candy and nuts thing...delusional.