NFL Blames Lions Not Refs

[pentatwirl]

The whole purpose of the referee announcing eligible linemen to the defense is because the NFL doesn’t allow “trick” plays even though we call plays trick plays from time to time. Teams used to do things like run 1 guy in from the sideline, but have 2 guys leave the huddle and run to the sideline. One of them wouldn’t cross the line, but stand there like he’s talking, but when the bal was snapped, run down field uncovered for a TD pass. That and similar tricks were banned.

 

[Creeper]

Do you guys realize that Detroit used eligible linemen several times during the game? #70 went in and reported as eligible several times nd the process worked every time. The Cowboys knew that 70 was eligible. Many of you probably remember Dallas using Parnell as a TE often on the goal line. Refs don’t need a pregame explanation unless you are doing something really weird.

Do you think the Lions told the refs something like this:

”Be aware that we are going to run #70 to you all game to report as eligible, but we may run a play where 70 runs onto the field and comes up to you like he’s reporting, but he won’t report because he won’t line up in an eligible spot. Then our QB will send 68 over in your direction behind #70 and he’s the player who will actually report and line up in an eligible position beside the OG because we will be unbalanced on the right side with 4 other guys all lined up ineligible so 7 guys are on the line. Now, we know you’ll go over and tell the Cowboys defense that 68 is eligible, but we don’t think they’ll listen to you and they’ll think it’s 70 again and not cover 68.“

That’s basically what this BS would sound like because a basic OL lining up as an eligible receiver is not at all unusual. The Lions had only 3 eligible receivers on that play…..1 wr on the right side covering up all the other guys because he’s on the line, #68 on the end of the left side, and one wr to the left of 68 lined up off the line. There’s no way the Cowboys don’t cover 68 if they are told he’s eligible as the rules dictate.

I think this is exactly what Campbell explained to the refs. There was no reason to alert the refs to this play, which is basically a tackle eligible play, other than to tell them that 3 guys would approach them but only 1 would be reporting as eligible. He may have included that #70 would report as eligible multiple times in the game too. But why would the refs allow themselves to become part of the deception. All the refs want to know is who is eligible before the play so they can announce it to the defense. The Lions were basically asking the refs to help them with their deception of the Cowboys.

The other thing that bothers me is everyone is assuming that the Lions did what they claim they did. They believe 70 didn't report. 68 did. No one heard what they said to the refs, except the Lions players and the ref. Everyone believes the Lions, even though Decker's explanation is very wishy-washy. what we have is an audio recording of the refs announcing 70 as eligible to the entire stadium. The Lions are mad but they only have themselves to blame.

 

[plymkr]

The Li9ns had 70 reporting throughout the game. They didn’t want him to report on this play because he lined up on the right side in a position that wasn’t eligible. Can’t do that. They just wanted it to look like he was reporting as he had all game but have 68 actually be the guy reporting. Visual trickery, but I don’t understand why the Lions thought this would work since the Cowboys would have been told that 68 is eligible and covered him.

The ref made a mistake, but the whole snafu to me is the Lions stupidity.

I agree completely. What I don’t understand is why they snapped the ball knowing their trick didn’t work? They knew the ref made a mistake because he announced his mistake to the whole stadium. So I agree it was stupid of them to try it and more stupid to go along with it after it was announced it didn’t work.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

“You’re not going to believe this, but the NFL is blaming the Lions for a blown call that cost them a win vs. the Cowboys on Saturday night.

According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the NFL has no plans to change the rules on players reporting as eligible after Saturday night’s fiasco in Dallas. And it’s not placing blame on the refs.

“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the NFL does not plan to change the procedure for players reporting as eligible. The league views the situation as an effort by the Lions to engage in deception and gamesmanship that backfired,” Florio said.

“Basically, the Lions wanted the Cowboys to think Skipper was reporting as eligible and that Decker was not. Which would have caused the Cowboys to cover Skipper, not Decker, when the play unfolded. The problem is that, in trying to confuse the Cowboys, the Lions confused Allen.”


Full Story Here:
https://www.clickondetroit.com/spor...call-on-2-point-play-vs-cowboys-not-the-refs/

I 100% agree with this. They tried to get slick and and walk on the edges of the rules and got burned. Detroit had the ability to hear Allen and the STADIUM PA clearly announce Skipper nullifying a Decker first touch before the ball was even snapped. Detroit had no timeouts and decided to play this out and throw to a player NOT reported by the ref (right or wrong) and they're now crying. Not to mention they decided to triple down on two point attempts and failed miserably on all three. No one wants to talk about the fact that they had two additional attempts deciding to "steal one" instead of going toe to toe in OT.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

I think this is exactly what Campbell explained to the refs. There was no reason to alert the refs to this play, which is basically a tackle eligible play, other than to tell them that 3 guys would approach them but only 1 would be reporting as eligible. He may have included that #70 would report as eligible multiple times in the game too. But why would the refs allow themselves to become part of the deception. All the refs want to know is who is eligible before the play so they can announce it to the defense. The Lions were basically asking the refs to help them with their deception of the Cowboys.

The other thing that bothers me is everyone is assuming that the Lions did what they claim they did. They believe 70 didn't report. 68 did. No one heard what they said to the refs, except the Lions players and the ref. Everyone believes the Lions, even though Decker's explanation is very wishy-washy. what we have is an audio recording of the refs announcing 70 as eligible to the entire stadium. The Lions are mad but they only have themselves to blame.

 

[ConstantReboot]

“You’re not going to believe this, but the NFL is blaming the Lions for a blown call that cost them a win vs. the Cowboys on Saturday night.

According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the NFL has no plans to change the rules on players reporting as eligible after Saturday night’s fiasco in Dallas. And it’s not placing blame on the refs.

“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the NFL does not plan to change the procedure for players reporting as eligible. The league views the situation as an effort by the Lions to engage in deception and gamesmanship that backfired,” Florio said.

“Basically, the Lions wanted the Cowboys to think Skipper was reporting as eligible and that Decker was not. Which would have caused the Cowboys to cover Skipper, not Decker, when the play unfolded. The problem is that, in trying to confuse the Cowboys, the Lions confused Allen.”


Full Story Here:
https://www.clickondetroit.com/spor...call-on-2-point-play-vs-cowboys-not-the-refs/

I'm glad that the NFL finally fessed and admited their mistake. Now they need to fess up about that blown tripping call that penalized the Cowboys.

I'm also waiting for Dez "non-catch" catch. Where is that apology?

 

[speedkilz88]

I have no issue with them being slick about it. I wish we did. Bellicheat did it for years. It's not their fault the ref wasn't paying attention. But they confused him and that's on them. Cowboys fans shouldn't apologize for the refs foolery lol.

It's kind of dumb when the ref announces the eligible player to the defense and the crowd. Plus they heard the wrong number announced and didn't object.

 

[glimmerman]

If the refs got the tripping call correct then the game is over..

 

[Surfguy]

Is it true that the ref in question who messed this up wasn't present when Campbell went over the gadget plays with the refs pre-game? I read that headline somewhere but didn't follow up.

 

[DStar22]

I guess Dan Campbell is a liar then watch his comments after the game

he probably is.. he's the one that endorsed that "slick-rick" play isn't he?

 

[DStar22]

I'm confused....where did I say I didn't understand the "rule"? I'm very aware of what the rule is. I'm telling you why they didn't correct the ref with the right number. Because of EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID....because then the attention is on the number being called. IF 68 is reporting the Cowboys defense covers 68. The plan is to be as sneaky as possible and catch the defense off guard which they did. But the Lions didn't screw up here it was the ref who screwed up he reported the wrong number.

Are you sure you understand?

no the ref reported to the best of his ability to understand the lions attempt to obscure who actually should be eligible. It's not the refs fault NOR ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE for interpreting an OBVIOUS attempt to OBSCURE THE INTENT correctly. As far as the ref understood, 70 was the eligible player... if the Lions can't be more clear about who it is than that fiasco they engaged in, they get what they deserve.

 

[DStar22]

But their argument is they gave them the right number. The refs announced the wrong number. Right or wrong that's their argument. It's exactly what Dan Campbell said on TV. "That's not the number we reported"....

Screw their argument, they are obviously a bunch of lying idiots who engage in subterfuge with the rules , and we're supposed to believe THEM?I don't think so.

 

[nightrain]

Lions OL Decker stated in a locker room interview "I did exactly what the coach told me to do". Campbell stated post-game that they went over the play in detail step by step.

My question is; why does an OL going into a game to announce as an eligible receiver take so much planning? That's almost a routine play these days....unless.....

 

[charron]

Lions failed to make clear who was eligible, end of story.

 

[Ring6]

Campbell shouldn't have used that play with no timeouts if he wanted to do a trick play like that. Can't change it without a timeout.

 

[DStar22]

Lions OL Decker stated in a locker room interview "I did exactly what the coach told me to do". Campbell stated post-game that they went over the play in detail step by step.

My question is; why does an OL going into a game to announce as an eligible receiver take so much planning? That's almost a routine play these days....unless.....

and that is a coy statement as well... I'd point out that "I did what the coach told me too" is not necessarily a yes answer to the question "did you report to the referee?".

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I think this is exactly what Campbell explained to the refs. There was no reason to alert the refs to this play, which is basically a tackle eligible play, other than to tell them that 3 guys would approach them but only 1 would be reporting as eligible. He may have included that #70 would report as eligible multiple times in the game too. But why would the refs allow themselves to become part of the deception. All the refs want to know is who is eligible before the play so they can announce it to the defense. The Lions were basically asking the refs to help them with their deception of the Cowboys.

The other thing that bothers me is everyone is assuming that the Lions did what they claim they did. They believe 70 didn't report. 68 did. No one heard what they said to the refs, except the Lions players and the ref. Everyone believes the Lions, even though Decker's explanation is very wishy-washy. what we have is an audio recording of the refs announcing 70 as eligible to the entire stadium. The Lions are mad but they only have themselves to blame.

I don't because if I was a ref and I was told that I would tell Campbell not to confuse the issue and just send the players that actually intend to announce.

 

[glimmerman]

no the ref reported to the best of his ability to understand the lions attempt to obscure who actually should be eligible. It's not the refs fault NOR ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE for interpreting an OBVIOUS attempt to OBSCURE THE INTENT correctly. As far as the ref understood, 70 was the eligible player... if the Lions can't be more clear about who it is than that fiasco they engaged in, they get what they deserve.

Sounds like perhaps they wanted to confuse everyone. Is it common to have 2 linemen report as eligible to catch a pass. Then there was illegal formation also. Not 1 flag but 2 on the same play. And they called the wrong guy for tripping. Other wise it’s a first down. And a few kneel downs and it’s over. Was it a payback call for the mess up. Lol.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Why can't the ref confirm though? If the players come over to talk to you, why not simply state what you are intending to tell the other team before you walking away.

The often ask again about the toin coss to make sure they are clear.

The ref could have clarified, but I think the rule is that the team has to make it clear who is eligible. Either way, the Lions only have themselves to blame.

 

[DandyDon52]

Read the post above. Allen was not part of any pre game discussion with Campbell. That was a lie. This debacle is squarely on the Lions. They had a full 25 second play clock to correct Allen when he announced 70 as eligible. No one on the Lions corrected the number to 68. They tried to deceive it and it backfired.

we dont know if anything was announced, allen went over and told 2-3 cowboy players who was eligible, and he told them the wrong one,
he never even talked to 70.
det HC is a idiot, sure but allen screwed up on that play too.
The lions deserve to lose because cambell kept going for 2 instead of going to OT.