Former NFL Ref Says Pickens Was Wrongly Flagged For Pass Interference

Refs SUCKED on Sunday.

NFL must have looked at the game as one of the 'lesser' on the docket and put out their 3rd string.

 

there is pushing on almost every downfield pass play.

this was a garbage call.

 

No, but his arms were extended. That is why it was called.

The point many are making is that what Pickens did is rarely called. Steratore, who knows more about this than any of us, is saying he wouldn't have called it.

You are right. Technically, it was the right call. Technically, they can flag that and holding on just about every play.

 

Funny, and I agree that Pickens made a mistake, on of many he made in the game. He didn't have to push off. He had position and the ball was well thrown.

It is still the sort of push that usually isn't flagged, which is why it was a bad call. It is the inconsistency that is a problem.

 

In one of the video reviews, the reviewer said NFL rule explicitly states “offensive player can contact the defender, and it’s only a penalty if there’s significant contact”.

if that’s the rule, Pickens didn’t do anything wrong. When running full speed and looking up and back with a DB right there, it’s better for Pickens to assume the DB is going to be making contact so Pickens should brace himself (and push a bit). That’s how good WRs play and should play.

it’s kind of odd to expect the WR to know if the DB will or will not close the gap in order to decide whether or not he should brace/get ready for contact that is explicitly permissible by rule.

 

This exactly

 

Never ever put your crimes in writing.

 

the F--n refs can go f- themselves they all hate on the Steelers maybe Belicheat still pays them even though he is no longer coach

 

You of all people know better than anyone that a lot of penalties are called inconsistently in the NFL. It wasn't just technically the right call. It was the right call. When you push off and gain separation, you gain an unfair advantage over the DB. That is exactly what Pickens did.

The fact that OPI doesn't get called often doesn't change the fact that it was the correct call.

 

it is ALL subjective - THAT is the point


just like holding on EVERY offensive play

every single one.

 

It's like the defensive holding that was called against the Eagle defender while guarding Juju in the Superbowl a couple of years ago. Yes it was technically the correct call but the refs let grabbing and contact go on all game long and didn't call it until the critical play of the game.

 

When an official flags something that is normally not called, it's not the right call. If you condition the players to do things a certain way, then occasionally pull the rug out from under them by throwing the flag, that is poor officiating. I get where you are coming from this, but Steratore has a point.

 

If all calls are subjective, why the outrage?

I am not disagreeing with you. You can look at almost any penalty and point out inconsistency. Look at the running into the punter call on Johnston. To me that was clearly roughing, but that wasn't the call. It's all subjective.

 

Keep in mind the audience. Gene Steratore is a retired ref being interviewed on WDVE's morning show. I like Gene Steratore, but something tells me he doesn't make that comment if he was being interviewed by a morning show in Atlanta.

We could beat this thing to death. To me it was an obvious call. I expected the call before the flag hit the ground. I'll stop by adding that if the same situation were to happen and Joey Porter Jr got pushed resulting in a big catch, Steelers fans would expect the refs to make that call. You can't have it both ways.

 

The enforcement of rules, any kind of rule, should never be subjective. That's the problem, the only way to take the human element out is review damn near every penalty, creating a 4 hour game, which no one wants. Instead, we're left with the product you see every Sunday. And Monday. And Thursday. Sometimes Saturday.

I do think you could review some penalties but then where do you stop?

 

This. If anyone thinks the zebras target us so be it but in reality, the truth is its league wide. And has been.

He pushed off. They called it on him. He didn't have to. I mean it wasn't a major shove ala Ervin used to do but he did push the defender away slightly to gain an advantage. Let it go, Let it go...

 

Troll

 

He is correct

It was OPI. It's just that simple.

Pickens, pushed, and gained separation as a result of the push.

Absolutely the correct call.

 

The summer league does it pretty quickly, and effectively.....with the eye in the sky.....I don't think I have ever disagreed with a final call in that league....like I do almost every NFL game I watch.

 

even if it was I can still hate on the refs they are no angels. I will apologize to all refs when they turn a blind eye and let Steelers do whatever they want

 

That is a no cal 99 out of 100 plays period end of story.

 

Ok

Since you agreed it’s a penalty we can end the story

 

Well sure fella!! There are literally hundreds of those that happen every game. Refs subjectively look at calls and do not always flag plays. You’ll never get a speeding ticket for 56 in a 55. If you did, I doubt you would be saying “well, I was doing 56”. Nope you would call it chicken****. But if in your small world, could it have been a violation, yes your majesty you are correct. Thank goodness we have you.

 

I’m here to serve those that need help