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Ed Hochuli’s Phantom Holding Call Costs Chris Johnson Shot at The Record
Published: January 3, 2010
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With a 7-8 record, most teams have little to play for in the final week of the season. A .500 record usually doesn’t get you in the playoffs, and moral victories, for all the talk about them, really don’t count for much in the grand scheme of things.
The Tennessee Titans, however, had the rare opportunity to play for something truly special this week: Titans running back Chris Johnson was tantalizingly close to breaking a 25 year-old rushing record, and every player on the team was anxious to take the field and help him get it.
It wasn’t going to be easy; Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora, Jr. was adamant about the Seahawks not being a footnote in NFL history. He made no secret of the fact that Chris Johnson was going to have to earn every yard in pursuit of his goal.
For three quarters, it looked like Mora’s Seahawks had done the job. Johnson had already achieved two goals in the game—breaking Marshall Faulk’s combined yards from scrimmage record, and achieving 2,000 yards for the season—but he was quite a ways off the 2,105 yard mark that Dickerson set in 1984.
Then it happened, the moment that Titans fans had been waiting for, and the one that the Seahawks had desperately tried to avoid all game.
Early in the fourth quarter, Johnson broke free and scampered downfield for 62 yards, bringing him within 44 yards of Dickerson’s record. For a moment, the fans cheered loudly until they slowly realized that there was a flag on the play.
The anguish was palpable as head referee Ed Hochuli called holding on Ahmard Hall, nullifying both the touchdown and the yardage.
Except there was no holding. Not that anyone other than Hochuli could see, at least.
Hall came through the line and blew up the Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne, who was waiting in the gap for Chris Johnson. Hawthorne was not only stopped, but knocked on his keister as Johnson blew by him.
As far as I remember, that’s what a fullback is supposed to do. Hall didn’t fall on top of him, didn’t pull him down, didn’t even get his hands outside of the defensive player’s shoulders. He BLOCKED him.
But none of that seems to matter to Hochuli. As has been his penchant for the last couple of years, he occasionally makes calls in critical situations that no one can explain, not even him.
The result, of course, did not affect the outcome of the game. The Titans went on to win 17-13, which got them to 8-8, but that did not fall in line with the player’s stated goal of getting CJ the record.
It had a devastating effect on the record pursuit. Not only did Johnson gain six net yards rushing after that play, but the Titans played kneel down on their last series without giving Johnson a shot to gain more yards.
Not that it mattered at that point. With 100 yards left to gain, the Titans needed two posesions to get it, and at that point it wasn’t happening.
Had Johnson been within 40 yards of the record with 1:12 left on the clock, odds are they would have at least given him a shot or two at getting it on the last possession.
It wasn’t a total loss for CJ; he did get the combined yardage record, and he will now be mentioned as being among the elite when total rushing yards in a season are mentioned.
He also set franchise records for yards in a season and consecutive 100-yard games, surpasing Hal of Fame great Earl Campbell.
But thanks to Ed Hochuli’s decision to make a call with serious historical implications, Eric Dickerson’s record stands for another year.
I just have one question: When is the NFL going to do something about referees deciding things?
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Jim Zorn: Worst Coach of the Decade?
Published: January 3, 2010
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Presumably, today was the last game Jim Zorn will coach with the Washington Redskins, or at least for the near future.
Zorn, over two seasons as Redskins coach, has gone 12-20, including an abysmal 4-12 season in 2009. This brings up the question, is Jim Zorn the worst coach of the decade?
Well, let’s look at some of the other bad coaches of the decade.
- Dave Campo went 5-11 in each of his three seasons in Dallas, from 2000-2002.
- Rod Marinelli was 10-38 in three seasons with the Detroit Lions from 2006-2008.
- Lane Kiffin was just 5-15 in a year and a quarter for the miserable Raiders in 2007 and 2008.
- Gregg Williams lasted just three years in Buffalo, where he went just 17-31.
- Dave McGinnis was just 17-40 from 2000-2003 for the Arizona Cardinals.
- Scott Linehan was 11-25 in parts of three seasons as St. Louis Rams head coach, from 2006 to 2008.
- Mike Nolan was 18-37 from 2005 to 2008 as head of the San Francisco 49ers.
- Steve Spurrier, like Zorn, was 12-20 in two seasons, and also like Zorn, coached the Washington Redskins, from 2002-2003.
- Marty Mornhinweg went just 5-27 in his two seasons as coach of the Lions, from 2001 to 2002.
That’s just a little overview of the bad coaches. Zorn’s record certainly isn’t the worst, but bringing in Albert Haynesworth usually doesn’t make you worse, so bad that you go 4-12.
So its a crazy question, I want to know what you think. Comment and tell me.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Philadelphia Eagles’ Performance Causes Fans To Question Heart, Pulse
Published: January 3, 2010
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It has become an all too typical pattern.
Considering that team owner Jeffrey Laurie withheld money owed to the city that would have kept libraries open for a few years, it is hard to imagine he would ever allow anyone in his organization to concede anything that would keep him from lining his pockets with proceeds from another home game.
The logical conclusion can only be this:
Once again on the big stage, in a big game, on national television, the Philadelphia Eagles gave a performance that left their fanbase asking, “Do they even care?”
A year after not knowing the overtime rules, and in a year where he did not know how many timeouts he had, Donovan McNabb once again nonchalantly strolled to the line with plenty of time on the play clock and directed traffic and moved players around. He lifted his leg for the snap and the whistle blew.
His confusion was obvious.
Though McNabb had a constant eye on the play clock, which had plenty of time left on it, he failed to notice that the game clock that was ticking down to close out the first quarter. Hardly a mistake you would expect out of an 11-year vet who some people consider a Hall of Famer.
He overthrew a wide-open DeSean Jackson down the middle of the field in the second quarter and he threw behind a wide-open Jeremy Maclin twice, one of which could have easily gone for a TD, according the Joe Buck and Troy Aikmen.
After driving his team into the red zone on a must-score drive, McNabb fumbled the shotgun snap. The fumble was not because of miscommunication between a QB and a new center or because the cadence was off, both which would be understandable.
It was a result of the ball not coming straight back to his belt buckle. Instead, it came towards his left thigh pad, a mere six inches to his left, and he dropped it, unable to recover. Maybe now McNabb understands how his receivers have felt as he has consistently has thrown at their feet three to four times a game for the better part of the last 11 years.
McNabb’s second fumble was an all too familiar sight: unable to feel the rush, he attempted to throw the ball in traffic, and, as he took the ball back, it was hit out of his hand. You would expect an 11-year vet to feel the rush, especially with his mobility, and it was not as if he had to scramble.
A surprised Troy Aikmen simply stated after the play, “He looked like he had room in front of him to move up and help his tackles out, and he did not.”
A win that day would have rendered this game meaningless, with the division and No. 2 seed completely locked up, and they could have actually taken the day off. Even though this game actually had major playoff implications, the team took the day off anyway, and poor clock management continues to be a common theme in the Reid/McNabb era.
At the end of the half with a timeout in their back pocket, Philadelphia allowed the clock to fall from :47 to :28 without running a play, and then called a timeout.
On the final play of the half, Westbrook was tackled with :13 left and was unable to get out of bounds. McNabb did not lead speed his troops to the line; he strolled up and, as he approached the area of the new line of scrimmage, seemed to realize that Westbrook had not gotten out of bounds and that the clock was running. Rather then attempt to snap the ball and spike it, he unhooked his chinstrap and looked away frustrated.
On the sideline, there was no emotion, no anger, and no frustration.
They did not care, plain and simple. Or at least it seemed that way, and perception, after all, is reality.
It is with performances like this that a city and fanbase with collective high blood pressure and an accelerated heart rate questions the presence of a mere pulse in their quarterback, their coach, and the rest of the organization.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Beating a Team Three Times in One Season: Easier Done Than Said
Published: January 3, 2010
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All week, you will hear the self-proclaimed experts tell you it is difficult to beat a team three times in one season.
They will sit in their fancy studios and use that logic to explain why the Eagles are going to beat Dallas next weekend.
Clearly, these pundits of prognostication do not have access to the Internet. If they did, they could do some research and realize that since the NFL merger in 1970, the team that won the previous two meetings against its divisional rival has a 12-7 record.
This situation occurred last year when the Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship.
The Steelers got the best of their divisional foe twice in the regular season by a combined seven points. With a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, the Steelers completed the trifecta and won 23-14.
Yet for some reason, everyone is going to talk about the difficulty of beating a team three times in one year.
Why is it so difficult to complete the sweep? Take last year, for example.
Pittsburgh proved twice they were the better team. They proved it at their place and on the road. So why did people think things were going to be different in the third meeting? The better team typically wins in the NFL, and the 12-7 record that accompanies this situation proves that to be the case.
Imagine if the Minnesota Vikings had to play the Detroit Lions for a third time this year. Would people be talking about the daunting task of Minnesota knocking off an inferior opponent for a third time?
I know, I know. These are playoff teams, and the Lions are the furthest thing from that. But that’s not the point. The point is that if you beat an opponent twice, you have proven your opponent to be inferior.
Dallas showed everyone they are the better team in both meetings against the Eagles. The Cowboys beat the Eagles 20-16 in Philadelphia on Sunday Night Football at the Linc. They got the best of the Birds once again in the regular season finale 24-0 in Jerry World.
The only interesting piece of information being left out so far is the fact that Dallas has been in this spot twice, and they lost both times.
Back in 1998, when the Arizona Cardinals were in the NFC East, Dallas won both encounters and then they lost at home in the playoffs.
In 2007, the Cowboys tried to complete the three-game sweep against the New York Giants and, once again, they failed at home.
Somehow, teams outside of Dallas have a .706 winning percentage when attempting to beat a team for the third time in one season, yet the Cowboys are 0-2.
That stat puts you right back at the beginning, but it definitely sheds some light on anyone who tries to predict next week’s winner.
It should remind you that when someone says, “The Eagles are going to win because it is too tough to beat a team three times in one year,” make sure you ignore everything else they are saying.
To base a prediction on a game based on something a person believes to be true, even though we now know it is not, shows a lack of research and diminishes one’s credibility.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Colts and Saints: Who Has More to Fear?
Published: January 3, 2010
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Think back three weeks ago, and every thing seemed pretty much laid out, plain and simple. The Vikings and Saints were going to meet in the NFC Championship game, and the Colts and Chargers were going to meet in the AFC Championship game.
Boy, has that changed.
Coming off being the two most-feared teams in the league, the Colts and Saints have been silenced the past three weeks, as they have basically taken their foot off the gas and stalled so close to the finish line.
Although they didn’t get their glorified 16-0 season, both teams are still forces not to be messed with. Peyton Manning is playing great football along with Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, and the Saints are still rolling along offensively despite a recent collapse.
So, who is in more trouble, though?
According to ESPN, it’s the Saints. I tend to agree with them.
The Colts have suffered two losses, but they haven’t been real confidence-reducers by any means. The first loss coming last week against the Jets at home was, of course, tough and full of controversy, but it undoubtedly didn’t faze Peyton Manning.
This week’s loss at Buffalo was hardly significant. A snow-filled game with the second stringers playing basically just rested the Colts’ team for another week and gave them some more planning time.
New Orleans, on the other hand, well, they have every right to be worried.
I remember watching the New Orleans vs. Dallas game two weeks ago thinking, “Wow, Brees looks rattled.” This week against Carolina the backups played for the Saints, but that may have been a bad decision.
A smarter thing to do would be to give Brees a fair amount of playing time, at least in the first half, and allow him to get back into that groove and put the Dallas game behind him.
From winning streak to losing streak, New Orleans fans aren’t happy. Who can blame them?
Sean Payton had this team set, and all of New Orleans was rocking to the beat of the drum. All of a sudden a shocking loss to Dallas, then Tampa Bay, and followed by another one at Carolina left a sour taste in the mouths of Saints fans.
It’s not time to hit the panic button just yet, though. If there is anything more positive to go on, it’s that the Saints have next week off.
Practice and rest will be the key, and whoever the Saints get matched up with the following week, expect them to be physically and mentally prepared.
If they are not however, it may be an early exit for New Orleans in the postseason.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Colts and Saints: Who Has More to Fear?
Published: January 3, 2010
No Comments
Think back three weeks ago, and every thing seemed pretty much laid out, plain and simple. The Vikings and Saints were going to meet in the NFC Championship game, and the Colts and Chargers were going to meet in the AFC Championship game.
Boy, has that changed.
Coming off being the two most-feared teams in the league, the Colts and Saints have been silenced the past three weeks, as they have basically taken their foot off the gas and stalled so close to the finish line.
Although they didn’t get their glorified 16-0 season, both teams are still forces not to be messed with. Peyton Manning is playing great football along with Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, and the Saints are still rolling along offensively despite a recent collapse.
So, who is in more trouble, though?
According to ESPN, it’s the Saints. I tend to agree with them.
The Colts have suffered two losses, but they haven’t been real confidence-reducers by any means. The first loss coming last week against the Jets at home was, of course, tough and full of controversy, but it undoubtedly didn’t faze Peyton Manning.
This week’s loss at Buffalo was hardly significant. A snow-filled game with the second stringers playing basically just rested the Colts’ team for another week and gave them some more planning time.
New Orleans, on the other hand, well, they have every right to be worried.
I remember watching the New Orleans vs. Dallas game two weeks ago thinking, “Wow, Brees looks rattled.” This week against Carolina the backups played for the Saints, but that may have been a bad decision.
A smarter thing to do would be to give Brees a fair amount of playing time, at least in the first half, and allow him to get back into that groove and put the Dallas game behind him.
From winning streak to losing streak, New Orleans fans aren’t happy. Who can blame them?
Sean Payton had this team set, and all of New Orleans was rocking to the beat of the drum. All of a sudden a shocking loss to Dallas, then Tampa Bay, and followed by another one at Carolina left a sour taste in the mouths of Saints fans.
It’s not time to hit the panic button just yet, though. If there is anything more positive to go on, it’s that the Saints have next week off.
Practice and rest will be the key, and whoever the Saints get matched up with the following week, expect them to be physically and mentally prepared.
If they are not however, it may be an early exit for New Orleans in the postseason.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Falcons-Buccaneers: Tampa Bay Fails To Launch in Season Finale
Published: January 3, 2010
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Surely it was a bit much to ask.
With good tidings and cheer, could it all come to a robust end for the Buccaneers? Could they possibly finish with three straight wins?
The Atlanta Falcons said “NO” with an exclamation point.
There was little firepower from the Buccaneers in chilly Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. Almost none came in the first 30 minutes that sent them stumbling to a 20-10 season-ending loss to the Falcons.
There was no carryover from the marvelous play in New Orleans a week ago.
Sure, it started out right for those Bucs. An Atlanta fumble on the opening kickoff led to a field goal and a 3-0 lead, but that was the extent of the good news in that first half.
Thirty minutes and 52 total yards of offense later, the Bucs trailed 10-3 at the half.
This team showed it has made huge improvements from the season’s first half. Instead of getting blown out, Raheem Morris’ guys worked themselves back into the mix and tied it up with less than 12 minutes left in the game.
Then it was an old problem that resurfaced and doomed the outcome.
You saw the problem as he ran all over the defense in the second half. The problem was Jason Snelling, who had a career day in the process. He ran over and through Raheem’s defense for 147 yards on 25 carries.
It was the Falcons dominating the final 10 minutes to end any hopes of a fourth win.
So these Bucs are done.
They are 3-13, and now the real questions will come.
This interesting, agonizing season will lead to an even more interesting offseason.
Will Morris be the head coach of this team in 2010?
Will Mark Dominik still have a job?
Which players can pack their bags and head elsewhere?
It will all unfold in this new year. And goodness knows 2009 was one rough ride for the Buccaneers.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Falcons-Buccaneers: Tampa Bay Fails To Launch in Season Finale
Published: January 3, 2010
No Comments
Surely it was a bit much to ask.
With good tidings and cheer, could it all come to a robust end for the Buccaneers? Could they possibly finish with three straight wins?
The Atlanta Falcons said “NO” with an exclamation point.
There was little firepower from the Buccaneers in chilly Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. Almost none came in the first 30 minutes that sent them stumbling to a 20-10 season-ending loss to the Falcons.
There was no carryover from the marvelous play in New Orleans a week ago.
Sure, it started out right for those Bucs. An Atlanta fumble on the opening kickoff led to a field goal and a 3-0 lead, but that was the extent of the good news in that first half.
Thirty minutes and 52 total yards of offense later, the Bucs trailed 10-3 at the half.
This team showed it has made huge improvements from the season’s first half. Instead of getting blown out, Raheem Morris’ guys worked themselves back into the mix and tied it up with less than 12 minutes left in the game.
Then it was an old problem that resurfaced and doomed the outcome.
You saw the problem as he ran all over the defense in the second half. The problem was Jason Snelling, who had a career day in the process. He ran over and through Raheem’s defense for 147 yards on 25 carries.
It was the Falcons dominating the final 10 minutes to end any hopes of a fourth win.
So these Bucs are done.
They are 3-13, and now the real questions will come.
This interesting, agonizing season will lead to an even more interesting offseason.
Will Morris be the head coach of this team in 2010?
Will Mark Dominik still have a job?
Which players can pack their bags and head elsewhere?
It will all unfold in this new year. And goodness knows 2009 was one rough ride for the Buccaneers.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
A Philadelphia Eagles Loss Drops Them From No. 2 to No. 6 Seed
Published: January 3, 2010
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In the crazy world of the NFL, a single game can hold plenty of ramifications for any team. But, that is putting it lightly for Philadelphia’s final game against the Dallas Cowboys.
A Philadelphia win and they win their division. They would enter the NFC playoffs as the No. 2 seed which includes a first round bye and home field advantage for at least one game, if not more.
A Philadelphia loss and they lose the division to Dallas who has them beat in a tie-breaker scenario. They would then enter the NFC playoffs as the No. 6 seed, losing the first round bye and losing home field advantage for any game.
They would have to win three road games on their way to the super bowl as opposed to only one home game and one road game, or two home games on their way to the super bowl.
What a world of difference their final game makes. An awful lot is riding on this game including the confidence they will need to make it all the way.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
A Philadelphia Eagles Loss Drops Them From No. 2 to No. 6 Seed
Published: January 3, 2010
No Comments
In the crazy world of the NFL, a single game can hold plenty of ramifications for any team. But, that is putting it lightly for Philadelphia’s final game against the Dallas Cowboys.
A Philadelphia win and they win their division. They would enter the NFC playoffs as the No. 2 seed which includes a first round bye and home field advantage for at least one game, if not more.
A Philadelphia loss and they lose the division to Dallas who has them beat in a tie-breaker scenario. They would then enter the NFC playoffs as the No. 6 seed, losing the first round bye and losing home field advantage for any game.
They would have to win three road games on their way to the super bowl as opposed to only one home game and one road game, or two home games on their way to the super bowl.
What a world of difference their final game makes. An awful lot is riding on this game including the confidence they will need to make it all the way.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
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