It's been nearly three days. I've waited and waited and waited. He can't be hiding for this long. He's bound to surface soon. Where the hell is Ralph Nader?????
Are you confused? Don't be. Just check out the "About Me" section to your right. Yup, Kings fan here. Still confused? How about this: Game 6, NBA Western Conference Finals. Got it yet?
I whined too. Much like Seahawks fans have for the past three days. I called sports radio. I attacked the message boards. I raised holy hell. I was pissed. It wasn't until public interest activist Ralph Nader commented on the officiating that "we" were heard. The 2004 Presidential candidate brought it to light. The officiating was TERRIBLE. But it wasn't until Nader made his comments that the conspiracy theory gained its credence. I'm not saying the XL was of conspiracy theory magnitude, but the quality of the officiating was just as poor.
I can't listen to sports radio without hearing reference to the XL and the officiating. Everybody's talking about it. Was it that bad? Depends on who you ask. I had no rooting interest in the game. As a Raider fan, I've been born and raised to hate both teams. It wasn't until a life-long Steeler fan made this comment to me: "Man, I love the ring for the thumb, but I didn't want this cloud of doubt over it." Wow. He saw the game. Despite his "steel curtain" blinders, he saw the yellow hankies and the officials that threw them. He (like all Steeler fans) will take it. They earned it. But at what cost? The Lombardi trophy cannot be taken away from the Steelers, but the NFL can change their employment practices regarding officials. It's time to make them full-time employees of the NFL. Not only did XL spotlight the glaring inefficencies of the officials, but the season as a whole should be reviewed.
Don't think that Mike Holmgren and Paul Allen don't have Nader on speed dial. David Stern didn't listen, but maybe Tagliabue will.
That grey cloud isn't the local forecast for Seattle. It's that obnoxious thing hanging over the NFL's zebras.
Hey whining seahawk fans...this article was written by one of your own columnists, in seattle. read 'm and weep, you bunch of soar losers!!
KIROTV.com. Think twice before you think conspiracy. This stack of facts, coupled with the knowledge that a Pittsburgh win would play better for the NFL, creates a case that Seattle had its first championship ripped from its hands from the referees, maybe even the league. Now, emotion clouds judgment, and it's easy for fans, players and coaches alike to feel that there was an overwhelming force working against them Sunday. In reality, though, they were restrained by a more disciplined team and league rules, and that's it. Let's break it down, pitting the calls versus the NFL rulebook: 1) Jackson's pass interference. According to the rulebook, a receiver or defender is prohibited from "extending an arm across the body of a receiver (or defender)". Did this happen? Absolutely!! You saw it, so did the ref who standing right behind the reciever. 2) Sean Locklear holding that negated Jerramy Stevens' catch that would have set up first-and-goal at the two. The book says: Hand(s) or arm(s) that encircle a defender-i.e., hook an opponent-are to be considered illegal and officials are to call a foul for holding. Now watch again and ask, did Locklear hook the defender's arm as he came off the end? It sure looks like it!! 3) Roethlisberger's TD run. A touchdown is when "any part of the ball, legally in possession of a player inbounds, breaks the plane of the opponent's goal line." Did the ball cross the plane? Yes, in the air, it did.
Last edited by seahero on February 8th at 11:12 PM.
