Posted by jfootball88 on 2/4/2013 1:07:00 AM (view original):
I was going to comment on how terrible the officiating was the last 2 minutes of the game. But then I realized there was no officiating since the referees decided to not do their damn job and call a blatant helmet to helmet hit on the goal line and then not throw a flag at an obvious holding of Michael Crabtree on 4th down. Regardless of when a penalty is committed it is still a penalty it shouldn't make a difference if it affects the game, the Ravens committed a penalty throw the damn flag. Terrible officiating might as well have had blind folds on...
That play had penalties on both sides ... Crabtree was engaging in contact and pushing off as well. I do not see how you can call that on one player and not the other one. The rule book says:
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A defensive player may not tackle or hold an opponent other than a runner. Otherwise, he may use his hands, arms, or body only:
(a) To defend or protect himself against an obstructing opponent.
Exception: An eligible receiver is considered to be an obstructing opponent ONLY to a point five yards beyond the line of scrimmage unless the player who receives the snap clearly demonstrates no further intention to pass the ball. Within this five-yard zone, a defensive player may chuck an eligible player in front of him. A defensive player is allowed to maintain continuous and unbroken contact within the five-yard zone until a point when the receiver is even with the defender. The defensive player cannot use his hands or arms to push from behind, hang onto, or encircle an eligible receiver in a manner that restricts movement as the play develops. Beyond this five-yard limitation, a defender may use his hands or arms ONLY to defend or protect himself against impending contact caused by a receiver. In such reaction, the defender may not contact a receiver who attempts to take a path to evade him.
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Clearly Crabtree was laying hands on the defender and pushing him .. in that scenario, the defender is allowed to "use his hands or arms ONLY to defend or protect himself against impending contact caused by a receiver"
That looked like what he was doing to me ... and I was pulling for the 49ers.