[MadMark]

NFL says ref's decision on apparent interception was judgment call

Last update: January 16, 2006 – 11:38 AM


NEW YORK — Referee Pete Morelli's decision to overturn an apparent interception by Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu late in the Steelers game Sunday in Indianapolis was a judgment call, the NFL said today.

It came with 5:26 left in Pittsburgh's 21-18 win over the Colts.

Polamalu made a diving catch. When he got up to run, he fumbled the ball, then recovered. Colts coach Tony Dungy challenged and Morelli ruled Polamalu had not completed the catch, so it was an incomplete pass.
About a dozen TV and scoreboard replays indicated otherwise.

The Colts kept the ball and went on to score, cutting Pittsburgh's lead to three points in a game that ended with a missed field goal by Indy's Mike Vanderjagt that could have sent it to overtime.

"The issue was whether he had possession. The ball came loose when he was getting up. Pete Morelli determined it wasn't a catch," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. "That was his judgment."

Aiello added that the league's officiating department had not yet officially reviewed the call to determine if Morelli had made the right decision.
The NFL almost never makes public the result of its reviews, although it did three years ago, when supervisor of officials Mike Pereira said officials should have called pass interference against San Francisco on the final play of a wild-card game with the New York Giants. The correct call would have given New York a second chance to kick a game-winning field goal in a 39-38 loss.

Aiello had no comment on a remark by Pittsburgh's Joey Porter, who said of the Polamalu ruling:

"I know they wanted Indy to win this game; the whole world loves Peyton Manning. But come on, man, don't take the game away from us like that." In the past, players who have made comments like that have been subject to fines.

[numinertyuesk]

I've read Morelli's description of his call.

Morelli said: "I had the defender catching the ball. Before he got up, he hit it with his leg with his other leg still on the ground. Therefore, he did not complete the catch. And then he lost the ball. It came out, and so we made the play an incomplete pass."

I think my problem is that a guy can be two toes inside the line, falling out-of-bounds to his stomach, catching the ball, and it's considered a reception. This is the exact same scenario, except it's his two knees. That's even more conclusive.

From NFL.com Rule Definitions
23. Possession: When a player controls the ball throughout the act of clearly touching both feet, or any other part of his body other than his hand(s), to the ground inbounds. Here's a link to the section about the forward pass:

http://www.nfl.com/fans/rules/forwardpass

Did that catch fit this definition? He controlled the ball, and his whole freaking entire body touched the ground.

I'm convinced that Pete Morelli is either an idiot or had an agenda. Unfortunately, I cannot find any bio information about any of the refs.

[Terinalo]

What happens if he just lies there? It is a catch. The Steelers got the shaft on that play.

[Timoxari]

That was a horrible call, as was the "do over" on that one play where no penalty or timeout was called and the teams just played on. That was a total farse.

[thushioli]

Aiello had no comment on a remark by Pittsburgh's Joey Porter, who said of the Polamalu ruling:

"I know they wanted Indy to win this game; the whole world loves Peyton Manning. But come on, man, don't take the game away from us like that." In the past, players who have made comments like that have been subject to fines.

Maybe I'll change my mond on wanting Pitt to win. Sure Cower's great and I like Bettis, but Porter is a whiney bitch from what I've read over the last week.

[steansathtpos]

Maybe I'll change my mond on wanting Pitt to win. Sure Cower's great and I like Bettis, but Porter is a whiney bitch from what I've read over the last week.

He has become this season's Fred-Ex. Except Porter does make a play or two.

[LoisCampon]

He has become this season's Fred-Ex. Except Porter does make a play or two.

Just don't make him think. He hates that.

[fotochicaes]

That was a horrible call, as was the "do over" on that one play where no penalty or timeout was called and the teams just played on. That was a total farse.

Exactly what I was going to say...damnit

[11Pecepebra]

That was a horrible call, as was the "do over" on that one play where no penalty or timeout was called and the teams just played on. That was a total farse.

Hey, at least Peyton can exhale...he wasn't the only one who choked in the spotlight.