In a 3-point game, missing a blatant face-mask penalty that cost the New Orleans Saints a turnover is inexcusable. It really was one of the most blatant face-mask penalties ever. And it's not as if it was incidental to the play; the face mask caused the turnover.
And not only that, but Hochuli and company keep screwing up calls in non-reviewable ways. Quick whistle? Not reviewable. Miss a linebacker trying to tear Reggie Bush's head off? Not reviewable. Which is stupid. Face-mask penalties are objective, and should therefore be reviewable, but they're not.
As a result of Hochuli and company blowing calls, the Chargers have one extra loss, the Broncos have one extra win, and the Saints probably have one extra loss and the Vikings one extra win. The "fumble" occurred at the Minnesota 35 yard line. If you tack 15 yards onto that, as Hochuli should have, the Saints have the ball, 1st and 10 at the Minnesota 20, which would have almost certainly resulted in at least a field goal for the Saints.
Something to keep in mind when playoff time rolls around.
now that there is only 1 option for any facemask contact (15 yards) it really makes no sense that it isn't reviewable
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. And this was definitely the "grab and twist" variety anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt's a sad day when a (blind,idiot, moron, "paid off",...} referee continues to make game changing calls without any punishment. We have replay and these blunderous calls should be able to be reviewed!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ed dumb_ss,
pissed off Saint fan