So after watching the now infamous San Diego-Denver game this past Sunday I have come to the realization that instant replay has to go. It was an outstanding game for the most part as 2 high powered offenses traded punches the entire game with big plays on both sides. Sadly though, there were 2 plays that left a cloud over the game and made us all wonder how real the outcome was.
The first one happened early in the game when Champ Bailey wrestled the ball away from Chris Chambers as he fell to the ground after a reception. Props to Bailey for an outstanding strip of the ball but replays showed Chambers was clearly down by contact before the ball came loose. But the refs couldn't verify this information because the on field replay equipment malfunctioned and NFL rules state that if a malfunction occurs and it can't be fixed within 2 minutes then the game is to resume and the play on the field stands. So even though millions of people watching saw that it was clearly not a fumble, Denver was awarded the turnover. Really? In a world of instant information and high tech data transfer we can't find a way to re-route the network TV feed to the refs in event of equipment failure? It led to a Denver TD. Amazing part is, this gaffe was mild in comparison to what happened later...
Down 38-31 late in the 4th quarter, Denver QB, Jay Cutler drops back to pass and dropped the ball. No forward arm motion, no tuck rule, nothing. He just dropped the ball. He even admitted as much after the game. San Diego scooped up the ball and it appeared the game was pretty much over. San Diego would take over possession and run out the clock. But no, referee Ed Hochuli signaled incomplete pass. Replays confirmed what we already knew, it was clearly a fumble. Only one problem. Hochuli blew the whistle, ruling the play dead before San Diego recovered. So even though everyone, including Hochuli knew he got the play wrong, the rules prohibit a change of possession after the whistle is blown. So even after reviewing the play and seeing his error, he couldn't award the ball to San Diego. All he could do was move Denver back 9 yards from the previous line of scrimmage because that is where the ball was when he blew the play dead. Denver went on to score and convert a 2 point attempt winning the game by a score of 39-38. It was an incredible ending to an outstanding game. But all anyone is going to remember is the botched replays.
I'm sorry but if this is how instant replay is gonna work then what's the point? Just get rid of it. If you can watch a replay and see you made the wrong call but the rules prevent you from reversing it then why waste everyone's time reviewing it in the first place? It's a flawed system and it needs to go. At least before if the refs made the wrong call you could rationalize that it was harder to see in real time or the ref had a bad angle. But to KNOW you made the wrong call and not have the power to fix it? Utterly insane. Bad calls are part of sports and always will be. It's time to embrace the human element of the game and just go with it. The flawed eyes of the zebras were good enough for generations of football players before instant replay was created and it's good enough for today.
No comments:
Post a Comment