The biggest news from Sunday wasn't Andre Johnson torching Cortland Finnegan and the Titans for 207 yards. It wasn't Steve Smith reeling in 165 yards, or Tavaris Jackson coming off the bench to toss four touchdowns. To me, it was the moment I was lounging on my couch on Sunday and I caught my first glimpse of one of the best arms I have seen in years. His name: Muntadar al-Zaidi.
I hate to recommend players only based on one play but once you see the video you'll agree this guy is at least worth a flier. Okay, I know it's no replacement for the buttery-smooth throwing motion of Tom Brady...in fact it might be as ugly as Tony Romo's three-quarter delivery when he came into the league a few years ago; but take a look at the situation in the picture above. Pocket collapsing around him. Two hands grabbing his jersey. Grey suit with a hand in his face. All of this while trying to hit Bush in the numbers who just happens to be facing tight coverage by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. I won't pretend to understand the politics behind this, but if this doesn't win an ESPY I'll be shocked.
Official Review
Before we get into fantasy football news, let's take a look at the Steelers-Ravens touchdown call that we featured on Sunday night. Check out the video if you haven't had a chance. After days of back and forth, the NFL finally decided on Tuesday to stand behind referee Walt Coleman's decision to rule Santonio Holmes' catch a touchdown. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a league spokesmen said "Walt Coleman determined via high-def video review that the receiver had possession and two feet down with the ball in the goal line, meaning it broke the plane." What seems odd to me is the continued emphasis on both feet being down in the end zone. As far as I could gather from research (which was confirmed in the Post-Gazette article), having possession of the ball while breaking the plane of the end zone seems to be the necessary action. His feet did not need to be on the ground at this point, but at some point had to in order to finish or "complete the play." Without the referenced 'high-def video' at our disposal, we can only work with CBS' high-def view from the side near the goal line. At that angle (which I have heard announcers mention is not 100% on the goal line), it's hard to see how there was indisputable evidence to overturn the call on the field. I also wonder, if there are additional replays available to the NFL, why not release them to the public along with yesterday's backing of Coleman's call? I know the NFL can't go around justifying every call referee's make with video evidence but in situations like this it would help put Ravens fans at ease. Maybe this is the cynic in me created by the Spygate fiasco (and destruction of evidence), but I wonder if this alternate replay angle even exists. Enough speculation, let's move on to fantasy football.
Quick Hits
~ With only two weeks left in the regular season, expect a number of players to be placed on Injured Reserve in the coming days to free up roster spots to sign replacements or give bench players a chance to prove their worth. This can be one of the most challenging times of the year as a fantasy owner. With teams beginning to rest players for the playoffs, you need to stay on top of the news if you want to win your league.
~ Don't be surprised if the Saints shut down Reggie Bush for the remainder of the season. After falling out of the playoff picture, there's no reason for New Orleans to risk the long-term health of their premiere player, especially with Pierre Thomas' performance in the starter's role. It would make much more sense for New Orleans to see what they have with Thomas and whether they can rely on him as a long-term complement to Bush.~ For all the drama that surrounded this season's substance-abuse suspensions (or lack-thereof), Minnesota Pro Bowl defensive lineman Pat Williams will now miss at least the rest of the regular season anyway. Williams broke his right scapula on Sunday against the Cardinals and now with DE Jared Allen playing with a sprained MCL, this leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the Minnesota run defense. Upgrade Michael Turner's matchup dramatically, especially after he put up over 180 yards on the suddenly soft Buccaneers last weekend.
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4 comments:
Interesting news. I picked up George W. Bush today in my fantasy dodge-ball league based on his second duck. I was quite impressed.
If Bush had caught the second shoe and threw it back, however, it would have been worth a real priority waiver move.
You mention the Spygate tapes being destroyed. That's one of those things the media keeps repeating over and over. Not all the copies were destroyed though. Jay Glazer of FOX still has his set of copies.
http://deadspin.com/383677/jay-glazer-owns-the-nfl
Great link. To be honest, I remembered hearing rumblings about this but never knew he actually did have a copy.
I'm just going to jump in on this a few weeks late just because this was one of the few NFL games I was able to see this fall.
Looking at the rules from 2006 (I doubt the rules on a touchdown have changed), Rule 11 Sec. 2 Art. 1(b) says it's a touchdown when "while inbounds any player catches or recovers a loose ball...on or behind the opponents' goal line." Now the issue here is that this rule is completely unclear on whether it is talking about the player being on or behind the opponents' goal line, or the ball. I interpret that as the player is on or behind the goal line, after all, if a player hits the pilon, or even sneaks his feet into the corner of the end zone without the ball breaking the plane, it's a touchdown.
I know it's college football but off the top of my head the best example I can give of that principle is Vince Young's game winning score a few years ago in the National Championship against USC.
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