Weighing In On Bad Words

The Ravens should have beaten the Patriots.

The refs did in fact blow that game. Only a head coach can call a timeout from the sidelines. Not the defensive coordinator. Billick didn't call timeout. This is a mistake on behalf of of the officials. Let it be known.

The Gafney catch didn't look good to me, but I don't think that visual evidence "confirmed" the call on the field. I can go with there wasn't any indisputable evidence...but not confirmation.

The holding call. Well, I guess that is a 50/50 call in today's game. 30 years ago, that wouldn't have been a penalty. That just tells you what our game has come to.

This new found "conspiracy" surrounding the NFL's love for the Patriots is amazing. Is it true? Probably not but the arguments are amazing! I love a good conspiracy theory.

Were the refs calling the game in favor of the Patriots? No. I don't think so. Well, not intentionally. Officiating has gone down the toilet in recent years and there is no argument otherwise. What are you going to say, that instant replay has been accurate 99% of the time? There are way too many calls that go to instant replay because officials are too reliant on it.

But remember, officials are now part of the spectacle. It goes back to the NBA in the 90's and Hugh Hollins on the phantom foul becoming a figure after trying to derail the Bulls dynasty and continues today with Ed Hochulee's guns and Michael Caray's lectures on the reasoning for a call. As sports becomes more of entertainment than sporting, the refs want a piece of the action.

So take what happened with Samari Rolle on Friday. And with Bart Scott. Rolle claims that ref was calling him a "boy" after the 4th down play. First of all, I don't buy that was the word that got under Rolle's skin. Equally, Bart Scott was sure yelling at that line judge too...after Scott threw his flag into the stands, which was amazing. I believe that ref said something to those guys that was inappropriate. Was he provoked? Probably. But it is still the refs job to maintain composure and hold order on the field. If he said anything remotely discriminating towards a Ravens player, he should be without a job.

Back to the holding call. Imagine if that call wasn't made. Would this be the conspiracy against the Patriots? Would the NFL all of a sudden be against the Patriots? I mean, we all know the NFL is pro-Pats, especially since ESPN is turning the world anti-'72 Dolphins. But would we have a different take on it had that flag not come out?

Maybe the Pats are a team of destiny. I hate to say this, but they are very comparable to the 2002 Ohio State team that didn't win the National Title but has a trophy to prove otherwise. That year, they got every call possible and every break went their way. Grant, the Patriots didn't need many breaks when they were winning games by 30, but the past two weeks, they have been much luckier than they've been good. Was the holding call on Monday a second coming of the interference call in the endzone on the final play that cost Miami the trophy?

Look. This game the other night was great. This aftermath is unreal. Keep in mind that if the side judge would have known the rules and not allowed a timeout from someone other than a head coach from the sidelines, this wouldn't be an issue. Not the case, and the Pats are still unbeaten. Still, the officiating in football is slipping and it needs to be held accounted for. Get after it Roger.