Zebra Conspiracy Against the Seahawks?

[Dave2112]

Ok, just what the shit is going on with the Seattle Seahawks and the NFL officiating crews? First, they lose a game against Baltimore due to zebra ineptitude, and the NFL fines the officiating crew. (Big whoop)

Then today, Seattle is down by five...Hassleback has Bobby Ingram on the St. Louis goal line and Ingram goes down right as the ball's about to hit him in the hands. Who took him out? Not a Rams player, but the frigging' back judge who was way out of position.

Are the 'Hawks cursed? Is there some feeling that the heavens would open up and the world be torn asunder if the Almighty Rams didn't win the division AGAIN? Is anyone else in that division ever going to get a freakin' break? Would dogs and cats sleep together if the Seahawks made the playoffs?!?!?!?


AACCKKKK!!!!!! Somebody get control of these refs before they wind up deciding the Super Bowl.

 

[SimplyRio]

I hear ya, Dave. In a word, yes, I do think they're cursed by the NFL Officials.

Yesterdays *fluke* tangle with that ref at the goal line that prevented a touchdown is just one of many instances where Officials have altered the outcome of their games.

Just a few weeks ago the Seahawks were denied a probable victory because the Officials mucked up the timekeeping. They mistakenly allowed the Ravens 30-some extra seconds, giving them time to run in a *game-winning* touchdown vs. what should have been a 4-point Hawk victory.

One of the more notable officiating flubs was Coach Dennis Erickson's last game with the Hawks. They called Testeverdes' quarterback sneak that landed on the 1/2 yard line a touchdown, allowing the Jets to go on to the playoffs and ending the Hawk season and, essentially Erickson's NFL coaching career at that time (he has since resurrected his career with the 49ers after a brief stint with the Oregon Ducks).

Those are just three instances that come to mind. In each of these cases the NFL publicly acknowledged that the Officials bungled the outcome of these games (considering each of the ebove-referenced occured with less than 10 seconds on the clock).

Obviously there are no such things as Do-Overs in a football game, but I bet if the Officials were held accountable for the ineptness there might be a lot fewer mistakes. Not sure how you'd calculate the value of a victory, though: Erickson lost his job because his team didn't make it to the playoffs (a victory would have clinched a wildcard spot, I think; the city lost the revenue (game tickets, hotels, chamber of commerce) they would have gained, had their team participated in the playoffs; the following years free agents might have perceived the team as a more palatable contender for their talents, etc.

Oh well, at least the players and their families get to enjoy a nice, quiet Holiday Season.

~Rio,
always trying live the positive spin

 

[natural tickler]

In case some of you forgot the rules, the officials, like it or not, are part of the field of play. If you trip over it, oh well, cannot count as interference. sorry for sounding like a rulebook but hey...

 

[SimplyRio]

In case some of you forgot the rules, the officials, like it or not, are part of the field of play. If you trip over it, oh well, cannot count as interference. sorry for sounding like a rulebook but hey...

Nobody's disputing the validity of rules, NT (duh).

The question posed was, "are the Seahawks cursed" Not once did I indicate that I thought interference should have been called or that a rule had been violated. My exact wording was, "*fluke* tangle"

So, AHEM, getting back to the topic of the thread: yes, I do believe the Seahawks are cursed when it comes to the officiating... but I'm sure they're not the only team that thinks so at one time or another. Additionally, considering that many of their games often times seem to come down to the wire, there's no denying that they create their own destiny. A true championship team dominates a games from beginning to end -- they shouldn't have to rely on the luck of the draw when it comes to dicey officiating.

Just my humble opinion, of course 😀

 

[Limeoutsider]

I dont think the refs would be smart enough to concoct a conspiracy

 

[Dave2112]

In case some of you forgot the rules, the officials, like it or not, are part of the field of play. If you trip over it, oh well, cannot count as interference. sorry for sounding like a rulebook but hey...

Yes, the refs are part of the playing field, but nobody expects a Back Judge to be 15 yeards out of position and right on a recievers ass on the goal line. It was a fluke, but these flukes always seem to happen to Seattle.

And no, Lime, I don't mean conspiracy in that sense of the word, as in trying to decide games...just seemed like a neat thread title while I was still pissed.

I remeber that Jets/Seahawks game. I was screaming for about five minutes after that.

 

[giantfan121262]

AACCKKKK!!!!!! Somebody get control of these refs before they wind up deciding the Super Bowl.

[/B]

Didn't you know it was thir ambition in life. Shit, those motherfuckers decided the Giants game in SF last January. What ever gives you that idea??? 😀 In case you are wondering, I am still reeling from that non pass interference penalty which would have given the Giants another shot to win the game. 😡

 

[SimplyRio]

I love the commercial Budweiser has about the Officials... at least I think it's Budweiser. This zebra-clad guy is on the field, replicating the announcement a penalty - it's obviously an unpopular call, judging by the boos you hear from the "crowd." He then goes on to say something like (and I'm totally paraphrasing here), "and yes, we make these absurd calls, late in the game... just to piss you off" heh heh heh

This commercial is almost as funny as the singer crooning about the Really Bad Toupee Wearer, the Shopping Cart Wrangler, the Wears Too Much Cologne Wearer, and another one about Professional Wrestlers Costumes LOL Not that I'm trying to hijack this thread, I just think those commercials are hilarious 😀

 

[Dave2112]

Rio, I LOVE those commercials! When the ref gets up and goes "...Holding!...um, actually we could call holding on just about any play. We just chose to do it at this critical junction of the game..." Or the spotting of the ball; (ref holds hands about three inches apart, then says) "or it could be (holds hands two feet apart). It's not an exact science, we just kinda make it up."

As far as those Bud Light "Salute" commercials, my cousin has 35 of them on a disc from the old "Real American Heroes" days through to the "Real Men of Genius". I love the "Mr. Giant Foam Finger Maker".

 

[SimplyRio]

As far as those Bud Light "Salute" commercials, my cousin has 35 of them on a disc from the old "Real American Heroes" days through to the "Real Men of Genius". I love the "Mr. Giant Foam Finger Maker".

A collection on disc! Dave-Buddy! Ole-pal! 😉 Dare I ask, is it available for public consumption? If it is, you would make me the Hero of MY Household if I could get my hands on one - please let me know what you can.

The singer that they use for that commercial... GAWD, he is so funny to watch! He sings with such conviction and soulfulness, you almost truly believe he is genuinely and spiritually moved by these *geniuses* he's singing about. Too funny!

 

[Dave2112]

I'm not sure if he got it off of a CD or if he downloaded them and burned them all to one disc. I'll try and find out.

By far, my favorite "True" commercials are the ones with the reporter interviewing "Leon", a Terrell Owens carbon-copy...

Interviewer: Leon, to what do you attribute today's loss?

Leon: Well, football's a team sport, so I have to lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of my supporting cast. Let's face it, I been carryin' these guys all season. I mean, Leon's good, but he can't do it all. I need help.

Interviewer: So, you're saying your four fumbles had nothing to do with it?

Leon: Not if one o' them guys fell on the ball! Like I said, Leon can't do everything.

Interviewer: Hmmm....there's no "I" in "Team"...

Leon: Yeah, there ain't no "We", either.

😎

 

[SimplyRio]

Thanks for checking into that for me, Dave. If you'd prefer, you can send me the specifics either via PM or at "[email protected]"

and Whoa! Is anybody else as impressed with Dave's ability to recount the dialogue from these commercials... verbatim?!

Maybe it's just my perception, but is sure seems like the commercials shown during NFL games have really been kicked up a notch - and I'm not just talking about during the Super Bowl. The creators must realize that they are addressing a more sophisticated audience... more women are watching! hee hee hee (ohhhh, I know that comment is going to get me in a lot of trouble j/k!)

 

[Dave2112]

And just think, we're getting into the "Playoffs" commercials with Don Cheadle. Those are always pretty cool. 😎