Nuts And Bolts, Ravens Got Screwed

Filed in archive NFL on December 4, 2007

Many people will surely blast the Baltimore Ravens for their numerous comments concerning the officiating following their 27-24 loss to the new england patriots on Monday night. Still, they have a right to be upset. Especially Samari Rolle, who claimed official Phil McKinnely called him "boy" (for the record, McKinnely is African-American, so the racial overtones in that statement don't seem to be an issue).

And the official's calls were certainly questionable. Ravens linebacker Jamie Winborn was called for defensive holding on what appeared to be minimal contact. And the touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Jabar Gaffney was unquestionably bobbled. The referee, Walt Anderson, reviewed it and still got it wrong. Gaffney did not have full control, period. There is no argument otherwise - it's clear as day. Who knows, maybe Anderson is tired of having to reverse his own calls.

Still, the officiating problem doesn't just lie in football, it's in all sports, and is the one thing that really hurts them. In baseball, umpires freely admit they have their own strike zones, basically making up their own rules. Basketball? Just see: Donaghy, Tim. The NHL has it's problems as well. Just do a Google search of Mick McGough and find out.

The unfortunate part of it is, there's nothing anybody can do about it. Maybe one day the technology will be there that human officials are no longer necessary, though it seems unlikely that officials will just up and quit. Funny thing is, you always hear people say that they love the "human element" of officiating. Sure, if you're a Patriots fan.

(Photo: Flickr)