MISSED CALLS/WRONG CALLS AFFECT OUTCOME

Another sports blogger wrote about a couple of
calls in the Cardinal/Packer game on Sunday,
indicating that they could easily have gone the
"other way", or perhaps shouldn't have been made.
My purpose in this writing concerns a "bad" call
and a "missed" call on another play by Arizona,
the one during which they scored their last
offensive TD.
A flag was thrown against a Packer rusher, citing
him for "roughing the passer", when replays showed
clearly that he had no choice, as he was being
blocked into quarterback Warner by one of his
Cardinal teammates. That call should have, out
of fairness, been reviewed by the officials, or at
the least been consulted over in a huddle, and
the flag withdrawn with a "no foul on the play"
explanation. Did you see it?
On that very same play, Larry Fitzgerald, who
I admire for his athletic skills (and who also
JUST happens to be from Pitt!), shoved a Packer
defender to the ground in the end zone, then
proceeded to catch the TD pass. No call!?
I admire Kurt Warner as a player and a person,
both on and off the field. I refereed a basketball
game last March in which Steve Breaston joined
several Steelers in a charity event. (He scored
44 points and led his Steeler team to victory!)
Perhaps the reason that the Packers coach
didn't call for a review is that he didn't have one
left, or he was saving it for another play. Either
way, it should not have gone down the way it did.
Offsetting penalties could have forced Arizona
to replay the down, and perhaps settle for a
field goal instead of the gift of a touchdown.
That may have allowed the Packers on the ensuing
possession to score the go-ahead and winning
touchdown. We'll never know.
WHO WAS I FOR?
I don't mind the Cardinals winning, but they had
a chance last year, losing to the Steelers. I was
rooting for the Packers, though, as I grew up a
Starr/Hornung/Thurston/Magee/Packers fan,
and was wishing Aaron Rogers success in his
first-ever playoff game. Didn't happen. Maybe
it wouldn't have happened, anyway. We'll
never know. Either way, what a game! Both
QB's had tremendous stats, and both teams
"gave it their all"! Talk about emotional!
TO MY POINT. The NFL should consider giving
the coaches an additional one or two "challenge"
opportunities, especially in the waning minutes
of a game with so much at stake. Agree? Thanks.
ANY QUESTION ABOUT THE OFFICIALS?
Is it possible that one or more was biased and
called (or didn't call) based on their favoritism?
We'll never know.
It wouldn't be the first time that professional
referees "slanted" a game in a particular team's
favor. Even players have done so, including
betting for or against teams, even their own
and "shaving points" or "slacking off". Huh?
THE CONCLUSION? THE SOLUTION?
More interaction by the officials on crucial
plays and calls. Special rule allowing coaches
to question the outcome & calls of a play,
particularly in the final minutes when the
game is on the line.
IT COULD BE THE PACKERS PLAYING THIS
SATURDAY AT NEW ORLEANS!
GO CARDINALS.