From steelers.com
I thought that Bob Labriola's "Steelers-Chargers Matchups" included an interesting closing "matchup:"
THE OFFICIATING CREW VS. A SENSE OF FAIRNESS: Even though it went down as the first 11-10 final in NFL history, the first meeting included an impressive amount of offensive production from the Steelers. Twenty-four first downs; a 50 percent conversion rate on third downs. Willie Parker rushed for 115 yards and averaged 4.3 per carry; Ben Roethlisberger passed for 308 yards and completed 75 percent. So why did the Steelers fail to score an offensive touchdown? Thirteen penalties. Seven of those were assessed to the offense, three of those for holding, including one for holding on Sean McHugh that took a touchdown off the board in the fourth quarter. In the same game, the Chargers were penalized twice for 5 total yards. Granted, penalties are penalties and should be called, but when it comes to the discretionary flags – was it pass interference or was it incidental contact, for example – the game should be called evenly. James Harrison was being held at least once on every series that afternoon, and it never was called. Let ‘em play, or call it close, but once that is established, the game needs to be called both ways.
I agree. Hopefull the officials let "the teams play" (not to be too cliche). It's one thing to call a game like that in the regular season, but in the postseason, the best thing an officiating crew can do, is get out of the way, and let the players go to work.
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+1
Read that article earlier and I totally agree. The officials have to just let the players play the game in the post season especially. I wonder if Deebo might finally draw a holding call against the chargers. I was watching NFL replay this morning with the last matchup in week 11. The holding calls were MIA on Harrison. I even found myself yelling at the TV for a holding call, well knowing that it was a replay.
by Hochuli loves Broccoli on Jan 9, 2009 8:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sunday's crew for Bolts/Steelers
Bill Leavy’s crew is handling the game. Leavy was also the referee in SB XL and back judge in SB XXXIV.
Leavy’s crew is 6th lowest in penalties accepted per game, 1st in points per game at 50.6/game (stats through week 15), and home team wins 62% of the time.
No really terrible mistakes this year. Notable games – Week 17 Phins/Jets, Week 13 Bears/Vikes, Week 10 Broncos/Browns (ThNF), Week 9 Pack/Titans, Week 6 Pats/Bolts.
Hasn’t not worked at Steelers contest this season.
Not sure what this all means, but I find him to be a really fair. Hopefully the Bolts and Steelers are the ones who decide the outcome not the stripes (God knows we absolutely can not have another Titans game).
Hey it could be worse, we could have Scott Green’s crew (PHI/NYG) – the crew that did the 1st SD/PIT game. 13 Pit – 2 Sd penalties.
Other Divisional Round Refs
Gene Steratore – Ari/Car
Jerome Boger – Bal/Ten
by ZnJersey on Jan 10, 2009 1:00 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
you are an information machine..i like
by Blitzburgh on Jan 10, 2009 1:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
information is knowledge
I love your website…i wish i had come to it sooner
by ZnJersey on Jan 10, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We wish you did too – solid contribution.
by steelguy99 on Jan 10, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Letting them play
Personally I think you should allow some incidental bumps, and some slight holding, and some almost late hits. But if something is blatant you have to call it. If somebody tackles silverback or our WR, you have to call it. If somebody cheap shots BB you have to call it.
I just hate how Officials go to the other extreme and call penalties off the ball and away from play.
by Mechem on Jan 10, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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