NFL Admits Mistake, So Why Can't Ravens' Game Result Be Reversed?
Usually when the NFL admits the officials blew a call, the impact of said call on the actual outcome of the game can be debated.
For example, when the league admitted the refs erred in missing John Urschel report as an eligible receiver in Arizona, all one can say is* maybe* it cost the Ravens a touchdown. Maybe. But we don't know.
This time, there's no debate. If the refs correctly called a false start on the Jaguars' final play from scrimmage, the Ravens win. Plain and simple.
"The correct call in this case would have been to penalize the offense for a false start because all 11 players were not set, and whistle to stop the play," league spokesman Michael Signora told both The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec and ESPN's Adam Schefter. "The ensuing 10-second runoff should have ended the game."
That's kind of a big deal.
The Ravens should have won, 20-19, because there would have been no time (or play) for an Elvis Dumervil facemask penalty and the Jaguars' ensuing 53-yard game-winning field goal.
Like Head Coach John Harbaugh said, the loss was "gut-wrenching." Learning about the referee's major mistake eats at the soul.
Given the clear impact of the blown call, fan questions poured in as to whether the league will reverse the result of the game.
Let me put it this way … no.
"[T]he Jaguars won, 22-20. That’s how things will stand, forever," wrote CSNMidAtlantic.com's Clifton Brown. "Would have, should have, but didn't. The Ravens' defeat will stand, as will their 2-7 record."
It would be an unprecedented move. Changing the result of the game a day later has never been done in the history of the league.
The closest I can personally remember such a thing is in 2007 when the Ravens were actually called back from the locker room to finish a game everyone thought was over.
A Cleveland Browns' field goal was initially ruled no good after bouncing off a crossbar, but Browns players argued that the ball hit off the curved center support behind the crossbar. Video evidence showed the field goal was good. By rule, referee Pete Morelli wasn't allowed to review the play, but reversed it anyway because another official "felt more strongly" it was good. The Ravens eventually lost in overtime.
Coincidentally, it was Morelli's crew that also missed the Jags' false start Sunday that cost the Ravens a win.
I've seen reporters say the Ravens should have played better and taken the game out of the referees' hands. I'm usually in line with that type of mentality … when the officials' impact isn't so clear. Whether you're an undefeated team or a 2-6 team, this is a game of inches and split seconds.
The fact is the Ravens played well enough to overcome their own big mistakes and should have won. No team – regardless of how good everyone thinks they played – should have to overcome this big of a mistake from the referees.
In the video below, ESPN's Mike Greenberg said he believes if this blown call happened in the New England Patriots and New York Giants game, it would have been the lead story on "Good Morning America". But because it was the Ravens and Jags – two losing teams – people aren't making a big deal out of it.
Watch Out For Potential Roster Moves
Harbaugh came down hard on two of his special teams players yesterday afternoon.
He called Asa Jackson's personal fouls "foolish" and "unacceptable." He said Jeremy Ross' muffed punt "killed us" and acknowledged that Ross could lose his role as the punt returner.
They both could lose more than just their "role" on the team. Zrebiec thinks they could lose their spot on the roster altogether.
"[I]t wouldn't surprise me to see some more roster moves this week," wrote Zrebiec. "Harbaugh has shown little tolerance for fumbling, so it would be more surprising if Ross keeps his return job.
" … The issue with Jackson is that he makes plays, too. His two blocked kicks this season are a testament to that. But the periodic mental or physical mistakes have made it hard for him to gain the full trust of the coaching staff. You have to wonder if he's run out of chances."
If neither Ross nor Jackson is the punt returner going forward, Zrebiec says Raheem Mostert, Lardarius Webb, Joe Morgan, or even practice-squader Chuck Jacobs are all options.
Rams Make QB Change Ahead Of Ravens Game
Just days ahead of their matchup against the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, the St. Louis Rams announced they will make a change at quarterback.
They have benched Nick Foles and will move forward with Case Keenum.
The decision comes after Foles completed just 17 of 36 passes for 200 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in Sunday's loss to the Bears.
Remember Keenum? You should.
Ed Reed On 60 Minutes To Talk Concussions
Former Ravens safety Ed Reed appeared on CBS' 60 Minutes Sunday, discussing the long-term effects of concussions sustained during his football career.
He said he worries about what could happen to him after suffering three or four concussions (at least that he can remember), but said he'd still play the game if he had to do it over again.
"Now that I know the dangers? Yes, I still would do it again. Why? 'Cause look at me. Look at my family," Reed said. "They're able to eat, they're able to have food and shelter over their head. Would I play football again? Yes."
Even with new information emerging from new studies on concussions, Reed doesn't think it will hurt the game at all. It is still thriving today, and he believes that will continue.
"I don't see football going nowhere. It's evolving," he said. "It's not going anywhere. Shhh, calm down."
If Season Ended Today, Ravens Would Have No. 4 Draft Pick
Get used to draft position updates for the rest of the season as long as the Ravens remain at the bottom of the league standings.
If the season ended today, Baltimore would have the No. 4 draft pick. After Sunday's win, the Jaguars moved back to the No. 8 pick. It will be interesting to see where both these teams end up.
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