NFL Embarrasses Itself

[Om]

15 yards "unsportsmanlike conduct" conduct for a fist pump and the temerity to yell something in the direction of the other team's sideline.

The NFL is the best professional sports league in the world, but allowing games to be impacted by preposterous, non-contact "rules" like that is NOT part of the reason why.

What it is is an embarrassment to a game played by warriors at 100 mph.

[IONTOP]

Just wondering... If you tackle a player on the visitor's side of the field, are you not allowed to adknowledge the fans on that side of the field?

[ColdnGrey]

Something really needs to be done.

[arkowi]

especially when it is something you see after almost every down...

[Leonard Washington]

i assume it was WHAT he said.

[tr1]

Casserly said they were beginning to scrutinize the refs this week...too many crews calling weird penalties and others not calling them...

Too little, too late...

[GSF]

Totally agree Om. That was just a horrible call. :doh:

[ColdnGrey]

Casserly said they were beginning to scrutinize the refs this week...too many crews calling weird penalties and others not calling them...

Too little, too late...

who is "they"?

[SUSkinsFan]

I think it should be a penalty but not an automatic first down, maybe a fine, but 15 and an automatic 1st is overkill

[zoony]

A rule is a rule, and the D should have known better. Both the Landry hit where he led with his helmet on a defenseless receiver as well as London taunting the AZ bench.

That drive should have been over 2 times. We blew it, not the refs.

[ColdnGrey]

A rule is a rule, and the D should have known better. Both the Landry hit where he led with his helmet on a defenseless receiver as well as London taunting the AZ bench.

That drive should have been over 2 times. We blew it, not the refs.


:doh:

There is no way that "rule" is being called consistently. I will never blame a player for getting amped up and attempting to make the crowd get rowdy. Espessially when much worse "taunting" has gone on today across the league that was not called.

[zoony]

:doh:

There is now way that "rule" is being called consistently. I will never blame a player for getting amped up and attempting to make the crowd get rowdy. Espessially when much worse "taunting" has gone on today across the league that was not called.


did you hear what he said?

Didn't think so.

[ColdnGrey]

did you hear what he said?

Didn't think so.


Say what?

[REEGSKINS]

that was a completely stupid call by the ref. the nfl is trying to take all the emotion away from the game. london is not a taunter.

[THE POSSE 81 83 84]

Landry went after a play that he thought was caught...im watching on tv and didnt realize it was incomplete till after he started his dive. Fletcher's penalty is just an example of the redskins reputation. Ray Lewis jabbers every time he makes a tackle and nobody penalizes him.

[SkinFanZim]

A rule is a rule, and the D should have known better. Both the Landry hit where he led with his helmet on a defenseless receiver as well as London taunting the AZ bench.

That drive should have been over 2 times. We blew it, not the refs.Good post. Agree completely.

[zoony]

Say what?


I didn't stutter. The ref heard something and called it. You weren't on the field, so how are you gonna sit here and talk about whether it's called consistently? :rolleyes:

And it looked bad enough with no sound. Fletcher got up, walked to the AZ bench, and started jawing.

It''s against the rules. If you don't like the rule, campaign to have it changed.

Whining about it after the fact when you've been called on it is just poor sportsmanship. :2cents:

[TK]

A rule is a rule, and the D should have known better. Both the Landry hit where he led with his helmet on a defenseless receiver as well as London taunting the AZ bench.

That drive should have been over 2 times. We blew it, not the refs.
Landry was called for for a late hit that his forward momentum, not hitting with his helmet. Landry actually lead with his shoulder. As he slid, then the helmet on helmet contact occurred. The ref's made the right call on that one.

No taunting is just a stupid rule. You whip someone's ass, you're going to talk smack. It's natural.

[SUSkinsFan]

You whip someone's ass, you're going to talk smack. It's natural.

I just started laughing at that line....something about it was really funny

[RedskinsRoll05]

I think it should be a penalty but not an automatic first down, maybe a fine, but 15 and an automatic 1st is overkill
IT SHOULD BE NOTHING!

[ColdnGrey]

I didn't stutter. The ref heard something and called it. You weren't on the field, so how are you gonna sit here and talk about whether it's called consistently? :rolleyes:

And it looked bad enough with no sound. Fletcher got up, walked to the AZ bench, and started jawing.

It''s against the rules. If you don't like the rule, campaign to have it changed.

Whining about it after the fact when you've been called on it is just poor sportsmanship. :2cents:


You're going to be a hard ass because I disagree with your assesment of the call? Dude, calm down, if you want to watch a boring, unemotional sport, have it. You can be a dope and cheer these calls all day long for all I care.

You're forgetting the fact that you didn't hear what was said on the field either. You also didn't see who Landry was "jawing" at. If you want to play a game of perception, it looked to me like he was talking to the crowd behind the bench. I can back this up by the fact that Landry was at the 20, and the "bench" is between the 30's.

So like I've said, you keep supporting a bs rule that gave the team playing yours a free touchdown. I hope that when you see these calls missed the rest of the day you get just as self rightiously angry as you are right now.

[ColdnGrey]

Hey Zoony are you watching the game? Should Carter be flaged and AZ given the ball back because Carter got excited and pumped his fist after that sack?

I hope you're sitting on your couch steaming because that wasn't called.

[Om]

A rule is a rule, and the D should have known better. Both the Landry hit where he led with his helmet on a defenseless receiver as well as London taunting the AZ bench.

That drive should have been over 2 times. We blew it, not the refs.
You're missing my point. Yes, it's a rule. It's an embarrassingly stupid rule.

The Landry one was a no-brainer and should be a 15-yarder.

For the yapping rule to earn the same penalty is a joke.

[zoony]

You're missing my point. Yes, it's a rule. It's an embarrassingly stupid rule.

The Landry one was a no-brainer and should be a 15-yarder.

For the yapping rule to earn the same penalty is a joke.



That's fine, but we shouldn't question the refs for calling it. We as fans have every right to hate that rule.

But some in here are questioning the refs for calling it. I'm questioning why our players, who know the rules, decided to break them.

[No_Pressure]

If those 100 mph warriors played the game like men, the way Art Monk did, that wouldn't have happened :\

With that said the rule is still stupid.

[Zguy28]

A rule is a rule, and the D should have known better. Both the Landry hit where he led with his helmet on a defenseless receiver as well as London taunting the AZ bench.

That drive should have been over 2 times. We blew it, not the refs.Well that's what happens when you have a 1st half only offense who leaves you high and dry.

For Pete's sake Al, call a 3rd down pass that is actually PAST the 1st down marker! :doh:

[Om]

And no, neither penalty is why the Redskins look like they're going to lose another game. They're looking like they're going to lose another game because the offense has one speed and one speed only---one that relies on an overpowering OL to dominate defenses and play ball control. With no fallback available, the D spends too much time on the field and wears down.

But that's not what the thread was about. It was about the NFL making a bad mistake by imposing a non-contact rule that changes games and goes against the very nature of a game they promote as the most physical and emotional in sports.

[ColdnGrey]

That's fine, but we shouldn't question the refs for calling it. We as fans have every right to hate that rule.

But some in here are questioning the refs for calling it. I'm questioning why our players, who know the rules, decided to break them.


You question the Refs because its a judgement call on their part. Their judgement seems to be skewed or inconsistent because, if pumping your fist and yelling was a consistent penalty it would be called every other play.


I question why you defend the call with such passion.

[DjTj]

It''s against the rules. If you don't like the rule, campaign to have it changed.I think people are arguing in this thread to have the rule changed.

Taunting should not be a penalty. What's the point of it? Why do we need to regulate behavior after a play that is not dangerous in any way?

Celebration penalties? The Fun Bunch was great. Chad Johnson is amusing. Why is the NFL trying to shut them down?

I guess I don't understand the purpose of these rules. IMO the emotion and celebration add to the game. It's supposed to be entertainment, right?

[zoony]

Okay, back to the game.


Here's where we need a PA fake... deep ball to Moss. Those AZ Safeties are biting!

[devil421]

I just think it's funny that talking smack is a penalty at all. This is football, the most physically punishing sport out there. Is someone really going to get their "feelings hurt"? Gimme a break.

[ColdnGrey]

I guess I don't understand the purpose of these rules. IMO the emotion and celebration add to the game. It's supposed to be entertainment, right?
this is the real question.

[AzSkinsFan63]

Come on you don't want to hurt the other players feelings....

[Isifhan]

wrong thread.

[zoony]

I think people are arguing in this thread to have the rule changed.
?


Well that was the op, but methinks you need to read the thread again. :)

[E-Dog Night]

I find the 2nd-half offensive efforts of the Redskins to be far more embrassing than any NFL rule.

[Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin]

The need to legislate normalcy into deviancy never stops.

First they came for the Fun Bunch and I said nothing, for I did was not a receiver.
Then they came for props and using the football as a prop and I did nothing as I do not score TDs
Then they came for the emotion and entertainment of the game and there was no one left to speak for me.

I don't get why they constantly have to fine and warn players for socks falling down (when some guys have skinny legs and it IS football) and continue to encroach on NON-FIELD OF PLAY aspects.

I think there's one reason they clamp down on the 'celebrating' and 'taunting' but I don't want to make it a Tailgate thread.

[Craig]

What's more embarrassing is the Skins offense

[Shadowplay]

Wow, what a surprise...look who starts a thread calling out the league for two obvious AND CORRECT CALLS while completely ignoring the terrible job the offense did today?

[Om]

Wow, what a surprise...look who starts a thread calling out the league for two obvious AND CORRECT CALLS while completely ignoring the terrible job the offense did today?
What's no surprise at all is who can't understand what a specific thread is about, grasp the context and comment accordingly.

[wysknz1]

:doh:

There is no way that "rule" is being called consistently. I will never blame a player for getting amped up and attempting to make the crowd get rowdy. Espessially when much worse "taunting" has gone on today across the league that was not called.

Agreed and esp. when espn does a whole segment on how TO or chad "Jonsun" are going to celebrate thier next TD

[ntotoro]

Hey, Mark... sorry, man, but if we lost this game, it was because of the Saundergibbs Brundlefly Offense playcalling and execution, not a questionable call by the Refs.

[Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin]

because of the Saundergibbs Brundlefly Offense .

:laugh: Classic movie and sadly apt comparison. Except, Seth at least got super human strength and could climb walls and ___. I don't see what we're getting (though our run game was good when everyone was healthy.)

[wlbai]

But that's not what the thread was about. It was about the NFL making a bad mistake by imposing a non-contact rule that changes games and goes against the very nature of a game they promote as the most physical and emotional in sports.

Agreed..years ago I used to enjoy NASCAR until they got to where they penalized all the drivers into emotionless spokemen..now it's just a bunch of corporate prettyboys driving in a circle. NFL now seems to want to do the same thing...it's a stupid rule inconsistenly called by the refs.

[skinsaddict]

i agree with some of the posts in this thread...not saying which side, but I will say I think this thread is unecessary and should have been posted in the game thread.

[tryfuhl]

Pretty much agreed... the call was alright, the rule is where the issue is

I guess it prevents some fights and nastiness but it's not called the no fun league for nothin

[tryfuhl]

I think it should be a penalty but not an automatic first down, maybe a fine, but 15 and an automatic 1st is overkillagreed, it's not a late hit or a hardcore facemask.. you can injure guys on those.. but taunting is the same penalty

[Om]

Hey, Mark... sorry, man, but if we lost this game, it was because of the Saundergibbs Brundlefly Offense playcalling and execution, not a questionable call by the Refs.
Dude. That is NOT what the thread says. It doesn't even SUGGEST it.

Come on folks ... I'm talking about a stupid rule here. Not about the game, not about the inept offense. About the rule.

[Chris Worthy]

A rule is a rule, and the D should have known better. Both the Landry hit where he led with his helmet on a defenseless receiver as well as London taunting the AZ bench.

That drive should have been over 2 times. We blew it, not the refs.

How could Landry see the ball from his angle?? :doh:

[tryfuhl]

did you hear what he said?

Didn't think so.

did you?

[ntotoro]

:laugh: Classic movie and sadly apt comparison. Except, Seth at least got super human strength and could climb walls and ___. I don't see what we're getting (though our run game was good when everyone was healthy.)

Yeah, I could have dealt with the extra coarse back hair, given all the benefits... :laugh:

This Offense isn't just ugly. Even ugly people still have their uses. This Offense is more like a mental patient arguing with himself and losing.

[ntotoro]

Dude. That is NOT what the thread says. It doesn't even SUGGEST it.

I'm sure the film will get sent in and the requisite personal mail will be sent to Coach Gibbs.

Your timing was a little questionable, though... ;)

[moviedude25]

Everyone knows the NFL means the No Fun League. This isn't new to anyone that's seen the league toss out fines to every player that shows a personality wether its words said, the way they wear there uniforms, they way they gesture and mime or whatever. London Fletcher should have known better then to do that.

[Shadowplay]

What's no surprise at all is who can't understand what a specific thread is about, grasp the context and comment accordingly.


Ok,

You're wrong.

It was when he started walking towards the Cardinals' bench and kept woofing that the penalty was called. He shouldn't have done that. Was it subjective? Yeah, probably but don't make it out like the refs are robbing the team. It DID happen. In no sport can a guy go over to the opposing team's bench and talk smack.

It should not take away from probably the best game that a linebacker in a Redskin uniform has played in at least a decade.

[Om]

I'm sure the film will get sent in and the requisite personal mail will be sent to Coach Gibbs.

Your timing was a little questionable, though... ;)
How so? I posted it about 15 seconds after the penalty, and before AZ scored.

[FuriousD]

15 yards "unsportsmanlike conduct" conduct for a fist pump and the temerity to yell something in the direction of the other team's sideline.

The NFL is the best professional sports league in the world, but allowing games to be impacted by preposterous, non-contact "rules" like that is NOT part of the reason why.

What it is is an embarrassment to a game played by warriors at 100 mph.


Did you hear WHAT he was yelling at their sideline? Perhaps the ref did and if the shoe were on the other foot we would all happily wear it. It was a dumb thing to do by a supposedly "supersmart" player.

:helmet:

[zoony]

did you?


of course not, but I'm not the one saying it was a bad call by the refs. Thanks for playing though

[TheDoyler23]

I completely agree. I would be laughing heartily if the Skins were given a first down for what happened.

Rackers ran at Rogers, shoved him, grabbed him, then yanked him to the ground by his mask. Seriously, he should have been ejected.

Karma.

Knowing our luck, had Rackers been ejected, Warner would have completed a hail mary to Fitz with no time left.

[Om]

Ok,

You're wrong.

It was when he started walking towards the Cardinals' bench and kept woofing that the penalty was called. He shouldn't have done that. Was it subjective? Yeah, probably but don't make it out like the refs are robbing the team. It DID happen.

It should not take away from probably the best game that a linebacker in a Redskin uniform has played in at least a decade.
You're still not grasping the point of the thread. No one has argued he didn't do it. The point of the thread is the rule is STUPID and an embarrassment to a league that promotes itself as physical, violent and emotional.

Some of you guys kill me. You're in such a rush to argue with someone you'll start woofing without even taking the time to actually process what the other guy is talking about.

[youngestson]

If they make that caal across the board I have no problem with it, but it's not being called across the board. Some teams get an exemption, and some get the call and some don't.

[FuriousD]

I find the 2nd-half offensive efforts of the Redskins to be far more embrassing than any NFL rule.

QFT!!! :laugh:

:helmet:

[edgun88]

These new rules are based on taking all emotion out of the game for the players. They are pointless.

[mi6]

LaRon is a rookie and is doing a stellar job. He will make a few mistakes - thats part of being a rookie and the maturation process.

No Excuse for London - he is a veteran.

[zoony]

Hey Zoony are you watching the game? Should Carter be flaged and AZ given the ball back because Carter got excited and pumped his fist after that sack?

I hope you're sitting on your couch steaming because that wasn't called.

If Carter had gotten up, walked towards the AZ bench, and taunted them, then yes... it should have been a penalty. But if he had done so and it still wasn't called, I would be eccstatic. I don't normally complain when the refs miss a call against the Redskins :doh:

The fact that you would bring this up means that either (a) you're stupid and have trouble finding relevant plays to back up your position, or (b) you're desperately trying to defend a failed position, and now you're just reaching.

So you're either dumb or desperate. Which is it? :)

[Shadowplay]

You're still not grasping the point of the thread. No one has argued he didn't do it. The point of the thread is the rule is STUPID and an embarrassment to a league that promotes itself as physical, violent and emotional.

Some of you guys kill me. You're in such a rush to argue with someone you'll start woofing without even taking the time to actually process what the other guy is talking about.


As I added in my edit, no league allows you to talk smack to the opposing team's bench. You'd get tossed in a baseball game. You'd get a technical foul in basketball and you'd get a misconduct penalty in hockey. I know you are arguing the validity of the existence of such a rule and I'm telling you, you'll see it everywhere.

[TheDoyler23]

Why does Jeff Triplette still have a job?

[ntotoro]

How so? I posted it about 15 seconds after the penalty, and before AZ scored.

Preemptive strike... ? ;)

[ALLWORLD]

I pretty much sit back and watch all games, laugh at how horrible a lot of them are called. Like for some teams the qb gets set then jumps up and calls an audible with lineman moving all around (why is this not false start when they have set?).


Every team, every game (including us) get away with calls. The last couple games I have been able to watch of the skins have been a little rediculous. In an attempt to make myself feel better I try and say its 50/50 for the most part.

Truth is there are A LOT of bs calls against this team. Even co-workers of mine (who are not skins fans at all) laugh about the difference in ref'ing done. Some frequently say "if that were Washington it would have been called".

Just my :2cents:

[REDSKYNYRD]

Go figure, the "be nice rule" in football. How could the ref know Fletcher wasn't doin it for the fans on that side of the field. Sorta like restricter plate racing.

[Redskin4ever]

I agree with others. That call is almost never made. That happens on just about every play. It always seems like this happens to the Skins, but I know I'm biased. When they threw the flag in the first quarter on AZ for the late hit, I almost had a heartattack, because that only seems to get called on the Skins. And it did later in the game. I'm not as mad as the Landry call, although I thought it was ticky-tacky, but they did call that on AZ earlier in the game. So they had to make that call. But the Fletcher thing was just ridiculous.

[Om]

As I added in my edit, no league allows you to talk smack to the opposing team's bench. You'd get tossed in a baseball game. You'd get a technical foul in basketball and you'd get a misconduct penalty in hockey. I know you are arguing the validity of the existence of such a rule and I'm telling you, you'll see it everywhere.
That's fine. It's also not what you were telling me before, as I think you'd agree.

Hey, baseball and basketball are non-contact sports. They don't promote themselves as such, unlike the NFL, which promotes itself as the closest thing to gladiators in ancient Rome without the severed body parts.

My point was the rule, applied as unevenly as it is, and treated as it is with the 15 yards and 1st down as equal to a late hit or kick to the crotch, if a misapplication of a good idea.

Sportsmanship good. Ham-handed, inconsistent and largely subjective legislation of a non-contact foul bad.

And that's all I have to say about that.

[DjTj]

I think there's one reason they clamp down on the 'celebrating' and 'taunting' but I don't want to make it a Tailgate thread.Although that's part of it, I think you could say more generally that the owners who make the rules and the players on the field come from increasingly different worlds.

First, there is the issue of age, since the first generation of NFL owners has been aging for decades now while the players stay in their 20's. There is no owner like Mark Cuban in the NFL. Snyder is actually younger in age, but he definitely isn't younger in culture.

Then there is the socioeconomic divide. As the NFL has grown into a huge business, the owners and executives have risen into a social and cultural circle that is completely isolated from the world of high school football fields that the players come from. This was probably less true when the league was starting out and before multimillion dollar TV contracts, but today's owners just can't possibly understand the culture of today's players.

Similarly, the owners are increasingly distant from the fans, who don't live in mansions and don't sit in luxury boxes. As the owners have aged and made more money, they have put themselves into a bubble where they only talk within a small circle, and their connections to the "real world" are guys like Joe "that's disgusting" Buck.

So we get dumb rules that nobody wants except for the owners, to solve crises that don't exist ... at least it didn't cost us a game. :whew:

[Blue Collar Skins]

Totally agree! That should not have been called!

[Mooka]

I think Gibbs mentioned that he thought London was getting the crowd hyped and not trying to taunt the AZ bench.

[Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin]

DjTj

I agree with your post. Don't get me wrong, I don't think (for the most part) the owners or others making these rules are malevolently persecuting anyone. But they make the mistake of linking the legitimately negative behavior that ALSO occurs because players of certain backgrounds with on-field ecstatic demonstrations and boasting. So they want to cut down on the any negative perceptions but, as you mentioned, there distance from these guys (this could also apply to politics, huh?) doesn't allow them to see things that most fans recognize as intrinsic to the entertainment of younger, less stoic generations.

But it's a lot easy for them to feel that difference because of certain other differences. Again, dissonance, not hate by any means.

[zoony]

So we get dumb rules that nobody wants except for the owners, to solve crises that don't exist ... at least it didn't cost us a game. :whew:



As to the rule itself, I'm not so sure it's a bad one.


Taunting is a classless, extremely poor-sport action that some athletes choose to participate in.

One would hope that good taste and class would prevail, but we all know that it doesn't.

[TheGreek1973]

That was perhaps the worse call ever made IMO.

[cphil006]

horrible call.. just horrible.

[turtle]

this rule needs to be modified quick.

[turbodiesel#44]

I'm wondering if JG's frequent crybabying to the league about bogus calls is actually working against us. We rarely have a bad call go our way. At least it didn't cost us the game like last week, but it was close. Again, NFL refereeing should be a full time occupation, not a part time job. A program to hone refereeing skills should be implemented in the off-season and be required. Refs need to quit their other jobs and become good at calling football games. And bad calls/missed calls should affect their pay.

[Taylorfan2179]

those pf calls were atrocious. The one on landry was ridiculous, the one on fletcher, ridiculous, the one that was called on them was pretty bad too. I dont think a fist pump should call for 15 yards and an automatic first down. A fist pump should not affect the game THAT much. 5 yards penalty MAX

[isle-hawg]

15 yards "unsportsmanlike conduct" conduct for a fist pump and the temerity to yell something in the direction of the other team's sideline.

The NFL is the best professional sports league in the world, but allowing games to be impacted by preposterous, non-contact "rules" like that is NOT part of the reason why.

What it is is an embarrassment to a game played by warriors at 100 mph.

I have never been so pissed as I was for that call. What are players not supposed to get pumped up WTF? Do they get paid millions to be unemotional? If the commish thinks that is a good call he needs to be fired, as he obovioulsy does not appreciate who is paying his high priced salary!!!!! If not he should fire the ref who called that lamb *** penalty!!!

[IHOPSkins]

You're still not grasping the point of the thread. No one has argued he didn't do it. The point of the thread is the rule is STUPID and an embarrassment to a league that promotes itself as physical, violent and emotional.......

Its Not a Stupid Rule.......Fletcher was Stupid

So OM would allow Taunting of the opposing Bench?.....Not good

This rule helps to limit UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT....and Fights

Nothing stopped Fletcher from celebrating (within reason)

He should not have taunted the bench

This is not PRO WRESTLING

[Backpack3r]

Its not a dumb rule, but the flag should not have been called on that play

Fletcher made a great 3rd down tackle and celebrated for 2 seconds, literally 2-3 seconds, and it was nothing classless at all, and he gets flagged for 15 yards? Keeping a cardinals drive alive on a flag that not only should not have been thrown, but on something that isnt even a football play? It occurred after the play

For crying out loud refs, let them play, let the cards earn those yards, dont give it to them for free

[Potato Sack]

Its Not a Stupid Rule.......Fletcher was Stupid

So OM would allow Taunting of the opposing Bench?.....Not good

This rule helps to limit UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT....and Fights

Nothing stopped Fletcher from celebrating (within reason)

He should not have taunted the bench

This is not PRO WRESTLING

I think that the refs threw the flag b/c of what happened just before halftime. I think it was warranted. I also think that our team is undisciplined and needs to think about what they really want to accomplish this year.

It's a team sport......IMO, Fletcher was very selfish on that play.

[Backpack3r]

I think that the refs threw the flag b/c of what happened just before halftime. I think it was warranted. I also think that our team is undisciplined and needs to think about what they really want to accomplish this year.

It's a team sport......IMO, Fletcher was very selfish on that play.

Should he be sad next time he makes a 3rd down tackle?

[Craig]

Its Not a Stupid Rule.......Fletcher was Stupid

So OM would allow Taunting of the opposing Bench?.....Not good

This rule helps to limit UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT....and Fights

Nothing stopped Fletcher from celebrating (within reason)

He should not have taunted the bench

This is not PRO WRESTLING


I agree. It was a good call. If the call had gone against a Cardinal to help the Skins sustain a drive, nobody on here complains.

[Craig]

Should he be sad next time he makes a 3rd down tackle?

How about he walks to his sideline without doing anything? Hmm, novel idea.

[SparkleMotion]

The reason it's stupid is that Fletcher did what he was supposed to do until the whistle blew...the words or gestures he made after the play should not negate what he did during the actual FOOTBALL GAME...which is what we were watching and he was playing...

[Backpack3r]

How about he walks to his sideline without doing anything? Hmm, novel idea.

Football is an emotional game.
He made a great play, and was penalized for it

[stevenaa]

It's no surprise the refs have been calling Taunting all year. Yes it is stoooopid. But, the players know this. There's no excuse to draw that penalty there.

[tonyriggins]

Williams has got to do something about his players acting up on the field or Gibbs needs to step on his toes.

[Backpack3r]

Theres a difference between taunting though and celebrating

[flexxskins]

Unfortunately, that guy that explains all of the refs calls for the week on NFL Access, will give some type of explaination and justify the call in his own mind.

[nhat8121]

it really is the No Fun League...ridiculous!

[ntotoro]

I'm wondering if JG's frequent crybabying to the league about bogus calls is actually working against us.

Every team in the league sends video of disputed calls. They get 32 tapes (or DVD's) every week. It's not just us.

[Craig]

Football is an emotional game.
He made a great play, and was penalized for it

He didn't get penalized for celebrating. He got penalized for taunting. It was a stupid thing Fletcher did. He deserved to be flagged.

[SparkleMotion]

All you saying Fletcher was stupid...when you play a game giving %110 like Fletcher did today, it's not something you can switch off when the whistle blows...he didn't get in anybody's face, I don't know what he said, but it shouldn't have kept that drive alive

[IHOPSkins]

All you saying Fletcher was stupid...when you play a game giving %110 like Fletcher did today, it's not something you can switch off when the whistle blows...he didn't get in anybody's face, I don't know what he said, but it shouldn't have kept that drive alive

WRONG

He got in the opposing sidelines face...and that was STUPID

IT cost the team

If he wants to CELEBRATE....he should look to his OWN SIDELINE

And for the record I love Fletcher

[abholtery]

WRONG

He got in the opposing sidelines face...and that was STUPID

IT cost the team

If he wants to CELEBRATE....he should look to his OWN SIDELINE

And for the record I love Fletcher

watch the post game locker room footage, london was pumping to our crowd, not taunting. He is the consumate professional and shame on everyone for doubting otherwise.

[IHOPSkins]

watch the post game locker room footage, london was pumping to our crowd, not taunting. He is the consumate professional and shame on everyone for doubting otherwise.

4 sides he could face....and he looks at the opposing bench

Sorry

Still Stupid

[hamptonskinsfan]

ok so what i am hearing from all the people who agree w/ the call/ rule is that BECAUSE Loundon Fletcher turned to the Cardinals bench he was in the wrong. am i correct people?????............


Then why in the hell wasnt Dockett penalized for the same thing when he sacked Campbell???? fair is fair right.

my main concern is that it was not called all game and it WAS happening ALL game until that point when it sustained a drive on a third down play that gave them a first and 10 on the 12????? come on now. YES i am biased for my redskins on most aspects but even with out the burgandy and gold tinted glasses you have to agree it was a one sided call. if it had been called against the Cardinals then YES it would have been a fair call but instead it was only called one way. Enough of this KINDER, GENTLER, NFL. I am personally sick of all the bs rules that are being instituted every year.

as far as taughting goes, T.O. or Chad Johnson should be pretty much called everytime he goes on the field. As should Smoot. we all know they talk and talk and talk. so give me a break about hurting someones feelings. they are GROWN MEN and if they cant take someone jawing at them after a play then they should take up a sport that doesnt allow for trash talking perhaps figure skating. Hell my 12 year old son takes more ribbing on a day at school than the refs are allowing.

[Backpack3r]

He didn't get penalized for celebrating. He got penalized for taunting. It was a stupid thing Fletcher did. He deserved to be flagged.

Yes he did, he wasnt taunting anybody
Ive seen taunting flags in games before, and they are justified, someone stares down someone long after the play, gets in their face, and says something nasty or whatever

London did nothing of the sort

[Godfather151981]

15 yards "unsportsmanlike conduct" conduct for a fist pump and the temerity to yell something in the direction of the other team's sideline.

The NFL is the best professional sports league in the world, but allowing games to be impacted by preposterous, non-contact "rules" like that is NOT part of the reason why.

What it is is an embarrassment to a game played by warriors at 100 mph.

I'm legendary in my own circles when it comes to ref bashing. When I bad mouth officials people usually pass it off as me just being me. Having said that, the "taunting" penalty against Fletcher was the worst call I've seen in my life. From where I was sitting you could see Shawn Spring gesturing to the crowd to boo the officials. Total chicken sh*t, and the NFL should definitely review this crew and do something about this stupidity.

[Godfather151981]

A rule is a rule, and the D should have known better. Both the Landry hit where he led with his helmet on a defenseless receiver as well as London taunting the AZ bench.

That drive should have been over 2 times. We blew it, not the refs.

I respectfully disagree. On the Landry hit Laron had no way of knowing that the guy didn't catch the ball. Had it been a completed pass, the guy could have gotten up and run. On the Fletcher penalty, there isn't a guy in the league that doesn't do the same thing. If they called everyone for that it would be one thing, but stop and think about how often those calls seem to go against us...

[jrfriedm]

That was a terrible call. What makes it even worse, is that if that had been a NE, Dallas or Indy player the refs would not have thrown a flag.

[Geoff_K]

You question the Refs because its a judgement call on their part. Their judgement seems to be skewed or inconsistent because, if pumping your fist and yelling was a consistent penalty it would be called every other play.


I question why you defend the call with such passion.

While I think the call was hogwash (excuse the pun) there is a difference ...


when the guy pumps his hand after a sack or tackle it is on the field, he does not run towards the opposing teams side ... jaw about it then pump his fist ... that is why he got called ... i am certain had he done it in the middle of the field it would not have been called ....

[LoudMouth12thMan]

Well said Mark, but I don't know what's more embarrasing, some of the calls by the refs this year or our offense. I'm pretty pissed off about both :2cents: I definitely hear ya' though, but it has become so clear to me that we just don't have what it takes on the offensive line to play against good teams no matter how the refs call the game. If Rabach being out makes that big 'a difference than okay, but I wonder :whoknows:
HTTR

[Corcaigh]

A rule is a rule, and the D should have known better. Both the Landry hit where he led with his helmet on a defenseless receiver as well as London taunting the AZ bench.

That drive should have been over 2 times. We blew it, not the refs.

Agree completely. If London was taunting the penalty was absolutely correct AND I think it's a good rule. His behavior was not about celebrating a great play, he's taunting the opposition. Classless behavior and very out of character from everything I've seen about him.

Say the AZ sidleine decides to get in his face and jaw back, where does this go?

[docsandy]

Problem is that I thought he was pumping up the fans... obviously I don't know what he said.. if it had happened on the Redskins side of the field, would he have been called for taunting his own bench?

I just think there is a limit to what is being called and the penalties for them.

[laurent]

when the guy pumps his hand after a sack or tackle it is on the field, he does not run towards the opposing teams side ... jaw about it then pump his fist ... that is why he got called ... i am certain had he done it in the middle of the field it would not have been called ....

... and when the player tries to pump up the crowd after making a huge 3rd down play, exactly how is that handled by the refs?

[LuvMySkins]

Both the call on Landry and the call on Fletcher were ridiculous. There was no way that Landry could have stopped himself or that he could have known that the pass was incomplete from his position on the field. And Fletcher didn't taunt the Cards anymore than I did. The NFL has taken all of the fun out of the game. If these rules had been in effect when Lawrence Taylor was in the league, he probably would have been called for many a penalty. The NFL has taken a game played by grown men and turned into a game that may as well be played by preschoolers. I love the way it used to be. As long as you are not celebrating on the home team's insignia in the middle of the field, they should be allowed to play the game like the grown men that they are. The refs are inconsistent and call penalties whenever it feels good. They've screwed up many a game with stupid calls.

That being said, I love me some REDSKINS!!!!!! Does anyone know if Andre Carter is passing out hugs? It must be nice to hugged by those biceps!!!!

[TD Riggo]

15 yards "unsportsmanlike conduct" conduct for a fist pump and the temerity to yell something in the direction of the other team's sideline.

The NFL is the best professional sports league in the world, but allowing games to be impacted by preposterous, non-contact "rules" like that is NOT part of the reason why.

What it is is an embarrassment to a game played by warriors at 100 mph.


+100

That was absolutely the dumbest penalty EVER. This truly is becoming the No Fun League!

How much you guys wann bet that if it was a Brokeback-Crackgirl that did the same thing, he wouldn't have been flagged!

[WinSkins]

did you hear what he said?

Didn't think so.

Sounds like you are saying you know what he said...what did he say?

[GSF]

I would rather see them fine the player for taunting then call a penalty that could wind up changing the outcome of the game. That penalty wound up having a huge impact on the game.

[HeHateMe]

Preach on Om.

I couldnt agree more.

[f_trizzy]

I think it should be a penalty but not an automatic first down, maybe a fine, but 15 and an automatic 1st is overkill
I think the automatic first down should be taken out of the game all together. I mean c'mon how many times do we see teams bailed out of 3rd and long due to a 5 yard illegal contact penalty with the automatic first down. Even on pass interference, giving the first down is assuming the catch would have been made in the first place. You can't assume a double play in baseball so why is it okay to assume catches in the NFL?

[whatmeworry]

It's not called the No Fun League for nothing. It all started 20 years ago because some Cowgirl fans got their panties in a knot with The Fun Bunch and it gets worse every year.

[pez]

Unsportsmanlike conduct................15 yards..................player was smiling......

[BigRedAlbright]

this is football man let them play

[tex]

refs are a bunch of bozos.

[Mooka]

Agree completely. If London was taunting the penalty was absolutely correct AND I think it's a good rule. His behavior was not about celebrating a great play, he's taunting the opposition. Classless behavior and very out of character from everything I've seen about him.

Say the AZ sidleine decides to get in his face and jaw back, where does this go? London said he was yelling to the crowd and not the AZ bench.

[SkinsFan48]

Agreed... You always see everyone jumping up after a sack doing the same thing....We still won so I wont worry about it too much but a BS call either way.....
especially when it is something you see after almost every down...

[BuddyLeeGhostHunter]

First time I've heard the (6. Do not attempt to circumvent the profanity filters) chant at Fedex.:laugh:

[RedskinInExile]

While I sorta agree with the rule, it's application here is rediculous. This should be something that's on the books but used only in the most egregious circumstances. This was not one of those times.

No Fun League indeed

[Devastator]

I know a lot of people are upset about this, but does anyone have a video of it? I was in the bar with a couple of friends and as angry as these types of penalties make me I found his reaction absolutely hilarious and I would love to see it again. If anyone could provide a clip it would be much appreciated :)

[BadNewzSkins]

I was at the game right in front of London, when he was doing it.. he was yelling at us

[Corcaigh]

London said he was yelling to the crowd and not the AZ bench.

In which case it was a bad call by the refs, but I like the rule.

[richhilljr]

Casserly said they were beginning to scrutinize the refs this week...too many crews calling weird penalties and others not calling them...

Too little, too late...

As much as I'd like to think that it always seems like my team is getting screwed by penalties, it seems that the officiating as a whole is really bad this year throughout the league. Several other teams have gotten the wrong end of poor officiating.

[dcfarmboy47]

yeah i listend to the game on the radio today and i was pissed because it sounded like he wasnt doing anything that all others players do to celebrate

plus im sure fletch didnt say anthing bad he seems like a fair guy:helmet:

[dcfarmboy47]

I think the automatic first down should be taken out of the game all together. I mean c'mon how many times do we see teams bailed out of 3rd and long due to a 5 yard illegal contact penalty with the automatic first down. Even on pass interference, giving the first down is assuming the catch would have been made in the first place. You can't assume a double play in baseball so why is it okay to assume catches in the NFL?

well said man:applause:

[betsy thurman]

15 yards "unsportsmanlike conduct" conduct for a fist pump and the temerity to yell something in the direction of the other team's sideline.

The NFL is the best professional sports league in the world, but allowing games to be impacted by preposterous, non-contact "rules" like that is NOT part of the reason why.

What it is is an embarrassment to a game played by warriors at 100 mph.
not only was the taunting a BS call, he was looking UP into the stands -but they completely missed #94 spitting in Samuels' face -- Chris was hot and rightfully so

[GSF]

Check out the post-game interview with Fletcher. He wasn't taunting at all but pumping up the crowd. Terrible call.

[BleedBNG]

I know a lot of people are upset about this, but does anyone have a video of it?
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3838/fletcherqx7.gif
Penalty for taunting the crowd :rolleyes:

and just for the heck of it
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/5198/facemaskbp0.gif

[FanboyOf91]

Awful call. Typical of the No Fun League.

[RenegadeTK]

ridiculous call.... a veteran who has proved to be a stand-up guy, celebrates a play for the fans, and gets flagged?!?!?

then another veteran who has proven to be a stand-up guy gets spit in the face and nothing?!?!?!

goodell, you better right these wrongs.....

[Skinz_4_life]

And no, neither penalty is why the Redskins look like they're going to lose another game. They're looking like they're going to lose another game because the offense has one speed and one speed only---one that relies on an overpowering OL to dominate defenses and play ball control. With no fallback available, the D spends too much time on the field and wears down.

But that's not what the thread was about. It was about the NFL making a bad mistake by imposing a non-contact rule that changes games and goes against the very nature of a game they promote as the most physical and emotional in sports.


wow amazing. its off the thread topic but i was thinking the same thing about the offense. We all know that Joe gibbs football is run first. i think it makes us so predictable, and we continue to try to establish the run with hurt O-Line and it fails. Are these coaches not smart enough to realize that maybe we need to establish the pass to open up the run. Especially at halftime why cant they make the correct adjustments!? they continue with this run run pass punt crap. MIX IT UP!!

also i know the D is solid but i think they are playing predictable also and teams will start to catch on. With greg its either they play back or they blitz all day. i think he needs to mix it up also, or teams (with good a QB) are going to pick his zones apart. but my hats off to greg i have alot of repect for him.

[dent19]

its a wack rule but its just that, a rule. In the heat of the play you just react. Knowing how they are calling things, coachs must get it thru to the players not to hurt the team by showing emotion in the wrong places....
Its just another rule teams have to play by.....
I just wish they call it even and not so subjective.

[Titaw]

This call is the reason why I believe Vegas has more impact on these games than one may think. There have been numerous calls like this one this year and its not only in the Skins games.

The call helped the Cards sustain a drive and swing momentum. It also brought them within the 8.5 point line that Vegas had on this game. Vegas probably had more people laying money on the Skins to cover than the Cards. A call such as this seems harmless enough, but in the grand scheme of things alot of people lose money and the NFL remains king.

[SkinnedAussie]

So, a player makes a play and shows his excitement about doing so, but as he is facing the opposition bench when he does so, he gets penalised 15 yards!

However, the two players involved in the 'fight' early in the Buc / Lions game each get 15 yard penalties negated, and thus, no actual penalty is given to either team.

On that basis, the taunting rule sucks, so maybe next time, Fletch should just get involved in an on-field fight instead.

[scruffylookin]

Personally, I've never had a problem with taunting.

If you don't want to be taunted, then don't allow the play to happen. Frankly, that's part of the fun of a game is to beat your opponent and then tell him, his teammates, his coaches and their fans all about it.

The only taunting that should draw a flag in my opinion is taunting of a player while standing over them. Anything of that nature is truly bushleague and should be eliminated. Otherwise, have at it. Especially endzone celebrations that have nothing to do with taunting and have everything to do with celebrating a score.

[RedBeast]

My son and I went to the players tailgate and parking lot after the game. I spoke with London Fletcher after the game directly about this and he said that he was celebrating the play towards the fans, and not taunting him at all. He stated that was not his style of play. Saunders did not appear too happy.

[Skinz#28Rules]

did you hear what he said?

Didn't think so.



So what did he say, you make it look like you know, so you tell us.

[VBHOGG]

London is like a poster child for the NFL. He's nothing but class... I didn't hear what he said but I can't imagine it was anything that warranted a 15yd penalty.

[mtyquinn]

The refs bet on the game. That's why they called these ridiculous penalties in order to keep the Cardinals within the spread.

[KingGibbs]

I like that Goodell is cracking the whip, but he is getting ridiculous with his iron fist mentality and making it the NoFunLeague.

[Bryan81]

I think the NFL is becoming like the NBA - the star players/franchises are able to fet away with the taunting, late hits, contact penalties, etc. - while those who are not media darlings do not get the same latitude in calls. I've stopped caring about the NBA & I don't want to stop caring about the NFL, but Iam getting closer & closer to that.

[Campbell's_da_man]

That was a bad call, but the rule I think is the most ridiculous is the endzone celebration rule. The way they penalize it, you would think that celebrating a touchdown is one of the harshest acts in the game. I could understand maybe a 5 yard delay of game or so, but they rank it up there with the personal fowls and unsportsmanlike calls. Sometimes I think the refs are trying to take center stage, so they too, can become part of the entertainment.

[Campbell's_da_man]

The refs bet on the game. That's why they called these ridiculous penalties in order to keep the Cardinals within the spread.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[TheGreek1973]

I agree with the Landry penalty. Don't forget we got the same kind of penalty in the first drive which we scored a TD for Zona. HOWEVER the LF penalty was BS. Have you guys seen Ray Lewis? Hell man he should be getting called like that every other play. Total BS but then again we know how the refs like the skins don't we?

[kingfish50]

15 yards "unsportsmanlike conduct" conduct for a fist pump and the temerity to yell something in the direction of the other team's sideline.

The NFL is the best professional sports league in the world, but allowing games to be impacted by preposterous, non-contact "rules" like that is NOT part of the reason why.

What it is is an embarrassment to a game played by warriors at 100 mph.


That idiotic call by the refs cost us 7 points.

[Dick Edds]

A rule is a rule, and the D should have known better. Both the Landry hit where he led with his helmet on a defenseless receiver as well as London taunting the AZ bench.

That drive should have been over 2 times. We blew it, not the refs.


sorry, have to disagree ... whether he was talking to the bench or the other 50K fans on that side of a stadium ... it is too much of a subjective call for an official to determine.

The Landry penalty was correct, the player was down and he led with his helmet. There is no arguing that.

Pumping your fist and yelling in "a direction" is one thing, pointing specifically at a player, doing the "choke" signal towards one player, or standing over top of a player or spiking the bal in a player's face is a different thig all together.

It was a total BS call ... the ref can surely give a warning to player they "think" may be crossing the line. 15 yards and an automatic 1st down is ridiculous for a "he said/she said" incident at this level.

Just my $.02

[jileib]

Football is the only game where something that has nothing to do with the playing of the game on the field can totally change the outcome of the contest itself; the call was absolutely stupid; what LF did is done on just about every play by somebody one way or the other;

[SkinsWizCubsDukes]

London is a class act. He was just trying to get everyone pumped up. I don't know what was said, but it was a late flag...

The Landry penalty was an even later flag...that was not a penalty either.

It is terrible that a game played by the players could be taken by some bad calls, but that is sports...

at the same time, as a ref, you can't make that call when he made a big stop on 4th down...don't take the game out of the players hands on a judgement call.

Both were bad calls IMO...and they were LATE flags (makes you wonder)

[nebster21]

That's fine, but we shouldn't question the refs for calling it. We as fans have every right to hate that rule.

But some in here are questioning the refs for calling it. I'm questioning why our players, who know the rules, decided to break them.
so we shuld not question the Refs but we should question our players. Are you a ref?

[Neophyte]

Maybe London was not taunting. He says he wasn't so I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

I do, however, support the rule and under the circumstances yesterday I believe the refs had every right to throw the flag. I grow weary of grown men doing things that go so far against the idea of good sportsmanship. I desperately want NFL players to set a better example for the youth of today who already have a "look at me" attitude and don't need it fueled by pro athletes.

It is unfortunate that the NFL has to legislate it but I see no other way to do it in a day and age where making millions of dollors is not enough attention for players.

How I wish Gastineau had never invented the Sack Dance and White Shoes Johnson had never celebrated a TD...