Mood: Robbed.
Music: The Gambler, Xzibit
Game: World of Warcraft, COD2
Book: V for Vendetta, Alan Smith/David Lloyd
Weather: Warm and sunny. Ain't that a kick.
I'll preface this by saying I'm not a real football fan.
In spite of that, I've watched football for years, and I know how the game is played, and can converse somewhat intelligently on the subject.
This is clearly more than last night's crew of referees is capable of.
I'm not going to take anything away from the Steelers. They're a good team. I'm glad Bettis got his trophy. I'm glad Pittsburgh has their fifth. Was a nice little trick play they ran...haven't seen the reverse thrown for a touchdown in a while.
They didn't win that game by a long shot. They were GIVEN that game. It was bad enough that the Seahawks' first touchdown was negated by a non-existent penalty...offensive pass interference? The safety didn't even MOVE from the contact...and he was off-balance. He was deked, and knew it. The line judge didn't even throw the flag until the ball was caught and the safety appealed to the line judge. What the hell is that?
Next, Roethlisberger did NOT score on that running play at the line of scrimmage...he was completely stuffed, and he knew it. He moved the ball after he was down because he knew he didn't have it...then the look on his face when he looked at the line judge was not the joy of a guy who just scored...it was a pleading "did I get it?" Then, back when they were reviewing the play, Roeth was already discussing whether to go for it or not on 4th down when the referee upheld the bad call. Nonsense. Again, the line judge didn't signal a touchdown until he ran forward and saw where the late-placed ball was...over the line, due to Roeth reaching over AFTER he was tackled. Again, bullshit.
Then...can someone please tell me what the hell holding Locklear was guilty of? First, the Steelers were offsides, regardless...then Locklear pushes a guy who's making a cut, and he's holding? That one negated a strike to inside the 2 yard line, and instead makes it 2nd and 20. Interception a little later, and the game's effectively over.
I'm sorry...the Seahawks had more yards, more time of possession, and LESS turnovers, and LOST? This is plain and simple robbery.
I thought maybe I was seeing things yesterday...but then at halftime, one of the casters pointed out that the Seahawks were getting the shaft pretty hard. And today, on ESPN, and MOST sports sites, all the talk is of the horrible officiating...and how the Seahawks may not have helped themselves...but they definitely played better than the Steelers.
Unbelievable. The NFL had better say something about this...not that it'll matter.
The Seahawks had a great season...it's unfortunate that their season had to end by being fucked over by refs. There's something honorable about being beaten fair and square in the Superbowl...you gave your best, and you just got pounded. Oh well...you weren't the better team. But when you KNOW you're the better team, when you're holding the Steelers to 3 and out possession after possession...when you're moving the ball...and then have the refs call back EVERY big play on bullshit calls...no breaks at all.
Just plain unfortunate.
By the way, I got a call from a place I applied to today...prescreen. I guess they'll call me in a few days and see if I want to come in or whatever. I'm not sure that the job is for me (about 2 hours away, and 80% travel....) it pays pretty good, and it IS in IPTV and with a large multinational. So I guess we'll see what happens there.
In the meantime, I'm gonna keep applying......
Posted by Glenn at February 6, 2006 02:49 PM