Two plays in Super Bowl XLVII

[Spartan 1]

Hey everyone.

 

I was wondering if some of you guys could add your 2 cents here:

 

As a 49er fan, my angst and disappointment has given way to curiosity on an academic level. Two controversial plays which stick out - indeed, two of which did not favor the 49ers - are the opening TD to begin the 2nd half, and the final safety which the Ravens intentionally took.

 

OK. When Jacoby Jones sprinted up the middle for a TD (I think it was brilliant if he improvised, within a nano-second was going to down the ball deep in the end zone but instead bolted out, hence throwing the 49er special team players just enough off-guard to give him a slight element of surprise), Bruce Miller (a 248 lb. LB/TE/FB throughout his playing years) of the 49ers was bear-hugged (or 'sandwiched', if you will) by two Ravens - Brendan Ayanbadejo (no. 51) and Albert McClellan (no. 50). McClellan let go (but only after an apparent infraction), but Ayanbadejo held onto that hug on Miller from behind and pushed him continuously for some 10yds; it's so overt, and I'll never tire of reiterating how Miller was right in Jacoby Jones' lane when Jones shot up the middle for the opening 2nd half TD. Would Miller have stopped Jones if he had not been so thoroughly ganged up on and pushed out of Jones' path? Probably not, as they were there to block him, but what is just as likely is Jones would have not so open a lane. Look, I'll stop there, as it's now beyond anti-climactic.

 

 

 

Now, is it possible there is a loophole here, similar to the infamous 'tuck rule'?

 

According to the rule-book, Rule 12, Section 1, Article 3, under Blocking Notes 1 - When a defensive player is held by an offensive player during the folowing situations, Offensive holding will not be called...

 

 

(h) if the action is part of a double-team block in close line play;

 

Exception: Holding will be called if the opponent is blocked to the ground by one or both of the offensive players.

 

Is it possible the Raven staff - if the above applies to the Miller play in question - knew this and it was a display of sagacity, of which John Harbaugh certainly possesses plenty of? And if so, did the officiating crew see this obviously questionable sandwiching play yet discern this all in real time? Thus are the majority (near unanimity) wrong and the refs did get it right?

 

Which takes me to the safety at the end:

 

It is obvious the Ravens delibertaley multiple-tackled the charging 49ers on this last play by the Ravens; now, it is certain the Raven staff didn't know, for whatever inexplicable reason, the officials would not call these incontrovertible holds, but they knew the loophole that the penalties which should have been called would not - according to the rules - have stopped the clock (would the Ravens have been penalized 10 yds on the ensuing free kick after the safety?), hence it was excellent strategy.

 

Now, I don't intend to re-hash any 'controversies' over the game played half a year ago. I am curious about the merit of these two specifics.

 

Thanks, and glad to be here!

 

James

Edited August 10, 2013 by Spartan

[badgers 380]

Well the two stills that you show have no rulebreaking in them, I think. Both players are still double-teaming the 49er in your second photo.

 

I think that in that second photo you see the Raven on the right letting go of the 49er, and the left Raven holding him. But what I see is the 49er trying to go through the left Raven to chase down the runner. The jersey grab isn't a penalty in that second photo because the 49er is not trying to get past the right Raven.

 

Again, it's too hard to tell all of this with just two photographs. More photographs or even a video would allow us to see the progression of the play.

[Spartan 1]

Thanks badger. Of course, if not for egregious officiating, an NFC playoff contender should have gone through Lambeau last year. Sorry, can of worms.

 

I'll add some more that I have:

 

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss-plays/0ap2000000135279/Can-t-Miss-Play-Jacoby-Jones-sets-record-with-kickoff-return

 

Above, at 13 seconds into the 2nd half at around the 30yd line, the action of Ayanbadejo and Miller is at most reflecting the issue in question. He's dragging Miller from behind, so to speak, from the 30 to the 40yd line or so. It is just incomprehensible that this would be 'legal'.

 

 

 

Thanks, James

[badgers 380]

After watching the video, and replaying the 00:12 - 00:14 mark repeatedly, I'm under the impression that Miller didn't even know Jones was past him. From 00:13 - 00:14 it looks like Miller is pushing against the direction that the play is going. No part of his body is going toward the play, almost as if he thinks Jones is in behind his blockers and he's trying to push through the double team. To back this opinion up, look at Miller's body angle. He's leaning in toward his blockers, who are pushing him toward the play, and he appears to be losing his footing and resetting it, typically a tell-tale sign of fighting a legal block, not a hold (his blockers are pushing him downfield, and he is fighting to go upfield) At the very end of 00:14 it looks as if he notices all the players running past him and lets up his pressure, and is released from the double team (but you can hardly tell cuz he is at the very left edge of the screen).

 

There's only so much we can see from up here but that's what I'm getting from it. The refs obviously see it differently from down on the turf. I think it was right to not call this a hold. You will obviously see things differently than me though, but that's the best I can do to explain why I think it was no penalty.

[the Lions fan 19]

Watch the Saints Lions playoff game from a year back with the same lens. It happened.

[Spartan 1]

OK. Albeit I appreciate the discerning response, I see no logic that because Miller didn't realize Jones was past him somehow invalidates a hold, among your other points with your analysis (Miller reacted a certain way because he knew it was a legal block - a legal block but pushing up and backwards because your opponent is bear-hugging you from behind?). Moreover, why is it so 'obvious' I would see things differently? My OP was not reflective of angry partisanship.

 

 

Well the two stills that you show have no rulebreaking in them...

 

I disagree; the second photo without doubt shows Miller's jersey being pulled from the blocker on his left (the right from our view of the still), with the other blocker pushing him from behind his right shoulder into the 'puller'. As the action ensued, as Jones bolted by everybody, Miller is being bear hugged from behind; his body mechanics are merely involuntary reactions. You didn't see that amid your observations? A bear hug from behind! Not holding? Quoting the aspect which I found in the rulebook that may pertain to this, Miller was not knocked to the ground. But was it a 'close line' play? I was just curious because the rulebook issue might shed light on the possibility that the refs know more than most fans, thus maybe they were right. But I am not convinced. I don't expect sympathy, though - every team goes through this. It's like a 'natural law'. But I don't agree with the generalized 'this happened and this happened so it offsets'. This was particularly inordinate. The final safety was why paranoid crazies have some ground for their 'conspiracy theories'. That's ridiculous, but the fact remains the refs - professionals no less - didn't call the multiple holds the Ravens committed on purpose; it's safe to assume that John Harbaugh & Co. slyly knew the penalties would not stop the clock. However, it's just as safe to assume they didn't know the penalties wouldn't be called, hence the strategy not only worked, they didn't lose 10 yds on the subsequent free kick. Paradoxical, isn't it? They gain a strategic advantage which constitutes purposely committing multiple penalties (playing it 'fair' would have afforded the punter less time in the end zone, probably). With the non-call on Carey Williams - shoving a ref harshly and not even being called for it, let alone being ejected - and the non-call on the safety makes certain people conjure in their heads 'there are bigger forces at work'. To me, that's absurd, but it's far more than just another couple of bad mistakes which occur in every game.

 

The silver lining for 49er fans is that, coupled with Denver, they look the strongest on paper for this year. But the wide parity the league intended to manifest with the salary cap as of nearly two decades ago has worked tremendously.

 

Thanks for your contribution, the Lions fan, I do remember that game (the 45-28 one?), after which Lions fans rightly brought up the paltry officiating regarding some no calls on clear holds by the Saints OL. I'll look for the specific one you mentioned. However, I recall that the league admitted to an officiating error regarding a Drew Brees fumble - to which the Lions scored after picking up the apparent fumble (an inadvertant whistle came in before the fumble was picked up, to be exact). But - and this is no consolation to Lions fans - the league acknowledged and apologized. Not so with the Super bowl controversies (goodness, the late hit on Flacco, the dangerous helmet-to-helmet smack on Crabtree on 3rd down on that final ill-fated drive, who actually caught the ball before fumbling it out of bounds; should have been 4th down from the 3 yd line). Maybe it's a little different with special teams. Glad this wasn't completely aberrational.

 

Looking forward to the upcoming season. We'll have fun discussing the contemporary stuff.

 

Anyway, thanks James

Edited August 15, 2013 by Spartan

[badgers 380]

OK. Albeit I appreciate the discerning response, I see no logic that because Miller didn't realize Jones was past him somehow invalidates a hold, among your other points with your analysis (Miller reacted a certain way because he knew it was a legal block - a legal block but pushing up and backwards because your opponent is bear-hugging you from behind?). Moreover, why is it so 'obvious' I would see things differently? My OP was not reflective of angry partisanship.

 

I disagree; the second photo without doubt shows Miller's jersey being pulled from the blocker on his left (the right from our view of the still), with the other blocker pushing him from behind his right shoulder into the 'puller'. As the action ensued, as Jones bolted by everybody, Miller is being bear hugged from behind; his body mechanics are merely involuntary reactions. You didn't see that amid your observations? A bear hug from behind! Not holding? Quoting the aspect which I found in the rulebook that may pertain to this, Miller was not knocked to the ground. But was it a 'close line' play? I was just curious because the rulebook issue might shed light on the possibility that the refs know more than most fans, thus maybe they were right. But I am not convinced. I don't expect sympathy, though - every team goes through this. It's like a 'natural law'. But I don't agree with the generalized 'this happened and this happened so it offsets'. This was particularly inordinate. The final safety was why paranoid crazies have some ground for their 'conspiracy theories'. That's ridiculous, but the fact remains the refs - professionals no less - didn't call the multiple holds the Ravens committed on purpose; it's safe to assume that John Harbaugh & Co. slyly knew the penalties would not stop the clock. However, it's just as safe to assume they didn't know the penalties wouldn't be called, hence the strategy not only worked, they didn't lose 10 yds on the subsequent free kick. Paradoxical, isn't it? They gain a strategic advantage which constitutes purposely committing multiple penalties (playing it 'fair' would have afforded the punter less time in the end zone, probably). With the non-call on Carey Williams - shoving a ref harshly and not even being called for it, let alone being ejected - and the non-call on the safety makes certain people conjure in their heads 'there are bigger forces at work'. To me, that's absurd, but it's far more than just another couple of bad mistakes which occur in every game.

 

I was not suggesting that because you're a 49er fan you're going to have a different opinion, here. I was simply stating that because we're two different people with two sets of eyes, it's likely that we will see different reasons for why the play occurred the way it did. Plus, you've already said that you think a hold should have been called so I know you see it differently than me.

 

As far as your first paragraph: we will throw out this point, because you're right. Neither of us can know the reactions or thoughts of any of the players on the field. All I was trying to say was because of what Miller appeared to be doing (pushing through the blockers instead of away from them), it looked to me like less of a hold. And I'm thinking the refs saw it that way too.

 

As far as the jersey hold in the second picture. It was not called because Miller is being blocked on both sides. The jersey grab is only called if Miller can't get free because of the grab on his jersey. In this situation, it could have been the jersey grab, or it could have been the fact that the other blocker was pushing him on the other side. Again, a two way possibility that the refs opted not to call.

 

I'm not trying to tell you why it's not a penalty or why it is a penalty. I'm trying to offer you a different point of view where you could possibly understand why it was what it was.

[Attyla the Hawk 197]

Hey everyone.

 

I was wondering if some of you guys could add your 2 cents here:

 

As a 49er fan, my angst and disappointment has given way to curiosity on an academic level. Two controversial plays which stick out - indeed, two of which did not favor the 49ers - are the opening TD to begin the 2nd half, and the final safety which the Ravens intentionally took.

 

OK. When Jacoby Jones sprinted up the middle for a TD (I think it was brilliant if he improvised, within a nano-second was going to down the ball deep in the end zone but instead bolted out, hence throwing the 49er special team players just enough off-guard to give him a slight element of surprise), Bruce Miller (a 248 lb. LB/TE/FB throughout his playing years) of the 49ers was bear-hugged (or 'sandwiched', if you will) by two Ravens - Brendan Ayanbadejo (no. 51) and Albert McClellan (no. 50). McClellan let go (but only after an apparent infraction), but Ayanbadejo held onto that hug on Miller from behind and pushed him continuously for some 10yds; it's so overt, and I'll never tire of reiterating how Miller was right in Jacoby Jones' lane when Jones shot up the middle for the opening 2nd half TD. Would Miller have stopped Jones if he had not been so thoroughly ganged up on and pushed out of Jones' path? Probably not, as they were there to block him, but what is just as likely is Jones would have not so open a lane. Look, I'll stop there, as it's now beyond anti-climactic.

 

 

 

Now, is it possible there is a loophole here, similar to the infamous 'tuck rule'?

 

According to the rule-book, Rule 12, Section 1, Article 3, under Blocking Notes 1 - When a defensive player is held by an offensive player during the folowing situations, Offensive holding will not be called...

 

 

(h) if the action is part of a double-team block in close line play;

 

Exception: Holding will be called if the opponent is blocked to the ground by one or both of the offensive players.

 

Is it possible the Raven staff - if the above applies to the Miller play in question - knew this and it was a display of sagacity, of which John Harbaugh certainly possesses plenty of? And if so, did the officiating crew see this obviously questionable sandwiching play yet discern this all in real time? Thus are the majority (near unanimity) wrong and the refs did get it right?

 

Which takes me to the safety at the end:

 

It is obvious the Ravens delibertaley multiple-tackled the charging 49ers on this last play by the Ravens; now, it is certain the Raven staff didn't know, for whatever inexplicable reason, the officials would not call these incontrovertible holds, but they knew the loophole that the penalties which should have been called would not - according to the rules - have stopped the clock (would the Ravens have been penalized 10 yds on the ensuing free kick after the safety?), hence it was excellent strategy.

 

Now, I don't intend to re-hash any 'controversies' over the game played half a year ago. I am curious about the merit of these two specifics.

 

Thanks, and glad to be here!

 

James

 

I'm not sure how long you've been following the Niners. I can tell you without question that Both Harbaughs definitely understood the difference between Super Bowl officiating and regular season officiating.

 

It's a practice that has gone on for decades. Playoff and Super Bowls are implicitly expected to be called much looser than by the book. The NFL does not want it's marquee event marred by ticky tack fouls. The holding there maybe does get called if they weren't double teaming Miller. But in all honesty, Jones is blowing by Miller when the hold seems apparent.

 

The NFL learned from the XL mistake. Holmgren was seething about that game, having been a part of 5 previous SB contests, he knew and understood the expectations of super bowl officiating. And he most definitely coached his team on how to play within the looser rules. The fact is, ever since SB XL, the NFL has made a concerted effort to let physical play slide. Ticky tack penalties do not get called in the big game. And that certainly was the case when San Fransisco was winning its 5 titles.

 

Even the last series at the goal line -- DPI was not going to get called unless someone was taken to the ground. Nobody is going to really argue by the book. The book doesn't apply in the strict sense in the playoffs. That's one of the adjustments playoff teams have to make when the tournament starts.

[Spartan 1]

Forgive me, but please don't condescend me (how long I've been folowing the 49ers is relevant... how exactly?); the opening flag against the 49ers for 'illegal formation' surely counts as a ticky-tack call. I am fully aware that ticky-tack calls will be less prevalent in marquee games than regular season ones, but you're synopsis is a tacit allusion that the rules substantially change in the playoffs. What - players know they can violate the rules in an arbitrary manner, knowing there it is more likely they won't get flagged? Carey Williams' shove of the official would have been a ticky-tack call?? I don't think so. By 'implicit' you're trying to state that the front offices support this in 'closed circles'? The play in question is hardly a ticky-tack scenario, and Jim Harbaugh explicitly - not implicitly - said that "a hold is a hold, no matter what circumstances they fall under. Again - because Jones is blowing by everybody through the middle doesn't negate what I see as a clear double-hold in the same lane. How often do we see a run unimpeded up the middle like that with no, shall we say, advantage?

 

Your'e absolutely wrong - I've seen plenty of arguments by the book on that last play, and not just out of SF.

 

James

Edited August 15, 2013 by Spartan

[Attyla the Hawk 197]

I didn't mean it as condescending. It's just that the Niners hadn't been to the Super Bowl since the early 90s. Not all fans have been following their teams that long. So perhaps this unpublished truth about postseason officiating is similarly unfamiliar.

 

Otherwise, you're absolutely correct. They do support it. If Jim wants to continue to cling to 'a hold is a hold', then I would expect his next trip to be equally as frustrating. He needs to lose the naivete and plan for that reality in the future. It's not going to change nor should it.

 

Procedure calls aren't really open to interpretation. You can't not call illegal formation or false starts. But subjective calls typically have to be severe in the playoffs. It's not violation of rules in an arbitrary manner. It's very much a decided/deliberate manner.

 

In the end, that kind of holding is pretty much what I'd expect to be allowed in a super bowl. Again, Miller is bracketed on each side. Had that been just one player holding him at the point I could see a complaint. But with two players, the advantage isn't so decided. It's harder to see a hold when he's enveloped -- which he wouldn't have been without the double team. And the expected precedent is to let players play unless the violation is particularly heinous.

 

I would completely concede that the last series had legitimate DPI/holding on it by the book. Even Sherman gets called for that in September. But I also understand and expect it to be allowed to occur in February. The refs aren't going to make themselves the story on the penultimate drive. The league doesn't want them to be either. SF should have understood that. The fact that they didn't take advantage of that when getting first and goal inside the five leads me to think that Jim didn't expect that and maybe still thinks that will change in the future.

 

The NFL wants champions to earn their trophies. Not be gifted them by refs. Non calls are a fact of life in the playoffs.

[BwareDWare94 723]

You make your points without being obnoxious, and for that I give you credit. At the same time, I'm starting to wonder if you really think the 9ers should have won that game (and I wonder because you're taking the time to point these two things out, in the first place), because I think the majority of the NFL fanbase who watched the game would reply with a resounding (in the style of man falling off a cliff), "Nooooooooooooooooooooo!"

 

For instance, the power outage greatly, and I mean greatly, aided the 49ers. They had time to regroup, to get their shit together. The Ravens were rolling, and without that power outage this game never swings momentum. We're looking at something akin to 42-14, probably.

 

Kaepernick's early play was also very disconcerting. His cannon of an arm was working on all cylinders and in an attempt to just zip a ball to a receiver, it sailed on him into the hands of a Ravens defender. Of course, this was, what, not even his 16th game starting in the NFL? He was due for a few mistakes.

 

Anyway, what I'm pointing out is that the team who deserved to win that game won that game, so I don't think a handful of questionable plays (because there's that, and more, in every single NFL game) need to be dissected to this level.

 

Either way, I must again give you props for not being obnoxious about these plays in your posts. Welcome to the boards!