[News] Late For Work 11/17: NFL Admits Mistake, So Why Can't Ravens' Game Result Be Reversed?

[The Mom Gene]

Why is it that the teams complaining the most about officiating are the one's with the worst records?

I had referenced this on Sunday...  Stated clearly that if you thought out game was bad, you should have flipped over and watched some of the Packers game...  Then Sunday night, the Seahawks game was almost as bad...  Inconsistent as all get out.   These weren't bad record teams...  Just worst than usual...

 

There was even a joke, (which I participated in), that said:

 

"If I were a conspiracy theorist, I might believe the NFL is trying to level out the league with new top tier teams.".... 

[Hardhitters]

Gambling is illegal in major sports so to hell with who win or lose in Vegas, if that's the case the NFL is breaking the law to even consider that as a reason to not fix the wrong.

[Ravensfansince03]

Referees are altering the outcomes of games. It is truly sad that not only does the league not come down on them the way they should, but the referees, who are human beings, don't have the common sense to just STOP THROWING SO MANY FLAGS

[rmcjacket23]

Referees are altering the outcomes of games. It is truly sad that not only does the league not come down on them the way they should, but the referees, who are human beings, don't have the common sense to just STOP THROWING SO MANY FLAGS

They did stop throwing flags. 

 

The problem is now you want them to...

[The Mom Gene]

Right, so when your team is bad, you care about these kinds of things, and when your team is good, you don't.

 

So basically, this is more of a personal psychological problem than anything.

 

I wouldn't necessarily call it a psychological problem...  it is a REAL problem.  The officiating is HORRENDOUS.  No need to make bad teams look even worst than they really are.... 

 

I wasn't sure you noticed the bolded part about it being a joke.

[rmcjacket23]

I wouldn't necessarily call it a psychological problem...  it is a REAL problem.  The officiating is HORRENDOUS.

I mean, sort of. We've seen horrendous officiating... it was when you and everybody else demanded that we bring back the officials that we are now accusing of being horrendous back. That's how short our memories are.

 

Its an amplified problem on this website because this team isn't very good at football, and we need somebody to blame instead of the players, who are always last to be blamed.

[Ravensfansince03]

Keenum on Sunday, huh? Ug. That could be one tough game. We should have snagged Keenum instead of Shaub for backup last winter. Glad to see the Texans beat red haired boy wonder last night. Always glad to see the bungles get beat.

 

Dalton really showed last night that he is a sore loser. Never a good sign for a QB moving forward. I expect to see the Bengals go downhill from here.

[Ravensfansince03]

Why is it that the teams complaining the most about officiating are the one's with the worst records?

 

Lol

[The Mom Gene]

A friend of mine had said that this crew has been referred to as "The Linen Factory".  And yet, misses the most important call of the day.

[rmcjacket23]

A friend of mine had said that this crew has been referred to as "The Linen Factory".  And yet, misses the most important call of the day.

Right. We want less flags in football, and we got it.

 

Kind of that "you made your bed hard..." type of irony there...

[The Mom Gene]

Lol

 

And my response to that was..... No need to make the bad teams look even worst than they already do look???

[jhaskell1]

What can go wrong will go wrong for us this year...... Its unfortunate but when its not your year its just not. The refs got it wrong but I don't mind taking the moral victory and getting closer to a better draft pick!

[Minionhunter]

No.

 

 

The reason why games are close is the NFL wants them to be close so more people watch to the very end = increased advertising revenues. Refs are told to call games so they are closer to the end if possible, and this is totally legal because the courts have rules that the NFL = entertainment and NOT a true sporting contest. Refs = paid employees of the leage and they can tell them to do whatever they want. Not fair, but true look up the court case where the Jets fan sued the league and the Patriots after spygate for fixing games. Ticket = opportunity to see an entertainment game, not sporting contest. From that moment on, NFL = WWE.

 

This case said game only, not sporting contest.

 

The only two relevant laws to fixing games are

 

1. "Quiz show law" - which prevents fixing of intelectual games, not physical, so not sports.

2. 1964 anti-bribery law for sports - no one has ever been convicted of bribery, ever under this law AND it is not bribery if a company instructus its employee (ref) to do something, so fixing by the league itself if it tells its refs to do it is not illegal. If they want closer matches to increase profits, they can do it and it is not illegal in any way.

 

So you can disagree with me that NFL = WWE with plotlines, but there is nothing, nothing stopping them from doing it and since they are a multibillion dollar buisness, they 1. Will not leave profit to chance and 2. They will be pushing to increase profits constantly. If the games are kept close to the end in all games, then unless your franchise strategy is to blow out the opponent in the first half of ever game, then it could be rationalized as a smart buisness move to increase TV advertising profits.

 

So disagree if you want, but the facts support my case that it is possible and with all the close games this year, I say probable if not exactly what is going on.

 

I haven't even gotten into owners having stakes in daily fantasy yet, when the NFL rules prohibit owners from associating with gamblers.

 

if you have not watched it yet, watch th 1983 PBS special on the unauthorized history of the NFL which was aird once and never again, you can find it easily on your favoroite internet video site. It should shock you and is well worth the 45 minutes of your time.

[rmcjacket23]

This case said game only, not sporting contest.

 

The only two relevant laws to fixing games are

 

1. "Quiz show law" - which prevents fixing of intelectual games, not physical, so not sports.

2. 1964 anti-bribery law for sports - no one has ever been convicted of bribery, ever under this law AND it is not bribery if a company instructus its employee (ref) to do something, so fixing by the league itself if it tells its refs to do it is not illegal. If they want closer matches to increase profits, they can do it and it is not illegal in any way.

 

So you can disagree with me that NFL = WWE with plotlines, but there is nothing, nothing stopping them from doing it and since they are a multibillion dollar buisness, they 1. Will not leave profit to chance and 2. They will be pushing to increase profits constantly. If the games are kept close to the end in all games, then unless your franchise strategy is to blow out the opponent in the first half of ever game, then it could be rationalized as a smart buisness move to increase TV advertising profits.

 

So disagree if you want, but the facts support my case that it is possible and with all the close games this year, I say probable if not exactly what is going on.

 

I haven't even gotten into owners having stakes in daily fantasy yet, when the NFL rules prohibit owners from associating with gamblers.

 

if you have not watched it yet, watch th 1983 PBS special on the unauthorized history of the NFL which was aird once and never again, you can find it easily on your favoroite internet video site. It should shock you and is well worth the 45 minutes of your time.

Risk > Reward.

 

Risk of getting caught likely means the end of the sport. And the business does just fine without having to rig games (obviously).

 

I'm not in the business of creating "possible scenarios" or looking at things that "could happen". Its possible that the NFL is in bed with the US government and the Russians to launch a spy satellite that will identify a new planet and eventually become Planet NFL, but I consider that about as realistic of a possibility as the NFL rigging games for a financial benefit that isn't worth their time.

 

These conspiracy theories do give me a chuckle every time though...

Edited November 17, 2015 by rmcjacket23

[Ravensfansince03]

And my response to that was..... No need to make the bad teams look even worst than they already do look???

 

Mom, I can never disagree with you lol

[The Mom Gene]

Right. We want less flags in football, and we got it.

 

Kind of that "you made your bed hard..." type of irony there...

 

We just want the "Right Flags" thrown.

[rmcjacket23]

We just want the "Right Flags" thrown.

Well, specifically, we want perfection in an incredibly imperfect sport in an incredibly imperfect world.

 

We will shrug off a fumble from one of our players (a mistake) because he did something correctly previously, but we will not once ever shrug off a missed/incorrect call (a mistake) because that same official made a correct call previously (in most cases, many, many, many correct calls).

 

That is what we as fans ask. When you really step back and look at it as we presently sound, it sort of makes us look bad as well.

[Minionhunter]

Risk > Reward.

 

Risk of getting caught likely means the end of the sport. And the business does just fine without having to rig games (obviously).

 

I'm not in the business of creating "possible scenarios" or looking at things that "could happen". Its possible that the NFL is in bed with the US government and the Russians to launch a spy satellite that will identify a new planet and eventually become Planet NFL, but I consider that about as realistic of a possibility as the NFL rigging games for a financial benefit that isn't worth their time.

 

These conspiracy theories do give me a chuckle every time though...

What risk, risk is zero. Heck the NFL lawyer even argued in the court that fans would still pay to see game even if they knew the Patriots were cheating (and he was right). People still pay to see WWE all the time.

 

Plotlines that are hard to overlook

 

1. Patriots (with constant loosing seasons) win out of the blue over dominant Raiders right after 911

2. Saints (with constant loosing seasons) win after Katrina

 

Millions of dollars are worth their time, let alone billions.

 

Plus the NFL is getting a lot of money from the governement (and the millitary), so that satalite thing might have legs (LOL).

[The Mom Gene]

Well, specifically, we want perfection in an incredibly imperfect sport in an incredibly imperfect world.

 

We will shrug off a fumble from one of our players (a mistake) because he did something correctly previously, but we will not once ever shrug off a missed/incorrect call (a mistake) because that same official made a correct call previously (in most cases, many, many, many correct calls).

 

That is what we as fans ask. When you really stop back and look at it as we presently sound, it sort of makes us look bad as well.

 

I think we are hearing way more because it cost us the win.

[TheConquerorWorm]

The only professional sport in the world that does NOT have full-time refs. You make $9 BILLION per year but can't afford to pay your refs full time? If you make them full time and give them benefits then they can afford to get new sets of glasses or laser eye surgery.

 

 

AJ Green's catch is considered a catch and fumble but Odell Beckham's catch is considered an incomplete pass. And Daniel Fell's catch is ruled an incomplete pass. How is that possible?

Edited November 17, 2015 by TheConquerorWorm

[rmcjacket23]

I think we are hearing way more because it cost us the win.

Correct. But then again, these same fans think every blown call costs us every game.

 

If I didn't watch the games, and just listened to what people say, I'd think we were 2-0 with 7 losses decided by officials.

 

I watch games though, so I don't share that sentiment.

[January J]

Well, specifically, we want perfection in an incredibly imperfect sport in an incredibly imperfect world.

 

We will shrug off a fumble from one of our players (a mistake) because he did something correctly previously, but we will not once ever shrug off a missed/incorrect call (a mistake) because that same official made a correct call previously (in most cases, many, many, many correct calls).

 

That is what we as fans ask. When you really step back and look at it as we presently sound, it sort of makes us look bad as well.

or the league could just go with bellicheks proposal and make everything challengeable and that would prevent this type of thing from ever happening. That would be the closest thing to perfection.

[rmcjacket23]

or the league could just go with bellicheks proposal and make everything challengeable and that would prevent this type of thing from ever happening. That would be the closest thing to perfection.

But it would also decrease revenue and viewership, since the games would be at least 5-6 hours or longer.

[The Mom Gene]

Correct. But then again, these same fans think every blown call costs us every game.

 

If I didn't watch the games, and just listened to what people say, I'd think we were 2-0 with 7 losses decided by officials.

 

I watch games though, so I don't share that sentiment.

I know...  I watch too...

And I see a lot of the dirty laundry in many games as well.  Not just ours.  I just think the reffing is awful right now... and if anything is "ruining" the game, it's that.

 

I wouldn't go as far as Minionhunter.  Those instances I think DROVE those teams.  Just as I believe that Ray's retirement helped drive the emotions and sentiment of our team in 2012.  I don't hold to those conspiracies...  but I do believe that a team member can actually influence performance to a degree...  Look when Pagano had his Leukemia.  The Colts played light's out.

 

There is some truth to playing games with higher degree's of emotion.  As an athlete myself, I can attest to some of that.

[trevorsteadman]

What frustrates me is that this is now the 3rd Ravens loss that shouldn't of been a loss. The third time the NFL came out and said they screwed the Ravens. That is so annoying. This team could have three more wins and be favorite for a wild card spot. I don't think they are good enough to do anything in the play offs at the moment but just the fact that they have been wronged by the refs in so many games...

[trevorsteadman]

The only professional sport in the world that does NOT have full-time refs. You make $9 BILLION per year but can't afford to pay your refs full time? If you make them full time and give them benefits then they can afford to get new sets of glasses or laser eye surgery.

 

 

AJ Green's catch is considered a catch and fumble but Odell Beckham's catch is considered an incomplete pass. And Daniel Fell's catch is ruled an incomplete pass. How is that possible?

They get over 100K for their job a season. And an NFL season is not even year round. I think that is plenty to get so called eye surgery and glasses. The NFL needs to invest more training into these referees. More games this year than before they have changed the outcomes and it is frustrating to watch in every game.

[RavensBaltimore]

But it would also decrease revenue and viewership, since the games would be at least 5-6 hours or longer.

You could make everything reviewable without making the games any longer at all. You could simply just replace commercial breaks with replay TOs instead of adding to them. For example, if they take a commercial break to review a play, you could skip the commercial break on the next change of possession. That way, it all evens out, the games aren't longer, and they can be doing something productive during the commercial breaks instead of standing around doing nothing.

[Ravenshine]

That phrase that we must play so good that ref calls don't count...THAT is actually what's getting old. Again and again teams are told this...yet refs are getting worse year by year...so, keeping the responsibility on teams scoring enough points to buffer ref mistakes is outdated idea and proving counter productive as it gives the reffing an 'out' in taking responsibility.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Ravenshine

[rmcjacket23]

You could make everything reviewable without making the games any longer at all. You could simply just replace commercial breaks with replay TOs instead of adding to them. For example, if they take a commercial break to review a play, you could skip the commercial break on the next change of possession. That way, it all evens out, the games aren't longer, and they can be doing something productive during the commercial breaks instead of standing around doing nothing.

And how do you think the NFL sponsors would feel about having their commercials potentially cut out? What if there are no plays to review?

 

I can assure you there's no possible scenario where every play becomes review-able and the game doesn't take at least an hour longer. Keep in mind that if every play is review-able, you can very easily have a stoppage for review on every single play in the game.

 

You could cut out commercial breaks entirely and that would still take 4 hours. 

[RavensBaltimore]

That phrase that we must play so good that ref calls don't count...THAT is actually what's getting old. Again and again teams are told this...yet refs are getting worse year by year...so, keeping the responsibility on teams scoring enough points to buffer ref mistakes is outdated idea and proving counter productive as it gives the reffing an 'out' in taking responsibility.

Yeah, the game should be called fairly, no matter what. Mistakes by a team do not validate bad calls by the officials. Last I checked, there is no rule that says the officials no longer have to call the game fairly if a team "should have played better." How well a team plays is completely irrelevant to the officials upholding the fairness of the competition.