Fair catch call..

[pitt]

Just when you think the officiating can't get any worse, it does. The NFL has to do something about this garbage. It's time to call "interference" on the officials.

[Rotorhead]

Based on this rule, everyone should call for a fair catch, so in case the screw it up nobody can touch the ball except the returner haha. I think that this is the type of thing instant replay is for. It was painfully obviously that CI did not interfere with the punt catch, the dam ball bounced off the intended returner straight into his arms! It was only after that, and after he had the ball, that CI ran over the punt returner, otherwise he would never have touched him. Hopefully that rule will be amended. I think the refs were a little flag happy due to what happened in a few games on sunday (Ravens, Bucs, etc) where officials were being bumped around a little. They basically were making the statement to the players that they need get get a little more under control. Believe me, I about smashed my laptop watching the game I was so pissed at some of the calls. I hope the refs tone it down a little next week, and let people play.

[BB2W]

Cowher says refs were right

In the third quarter, the Steelers thought they were victimized by a poor call after special teams ace Chidi Iwuoma recovered a muff punt by Chargers' returner Darren Sproles, who bobbled the ball after he waved for a fair catch.

But instead of the Steelers getting the ball deep in Chargers' territory, the referees handed the ball back to the Chargers and flagged Iwuoma for a 10-yard penalty for fair chance interference. The Steelers were leading 14-7 at the time,

The Bolts then marched down the field for a field goal drive.

"I was robbed," Iwuoma said.

But Cowher absolved the referees of any blame.

"(The officials) were right. If the guy signals for a fair catch, you have to allow him the opportunity to catch the ball even if he bounces off his chest," Cowher said. "He is given the right to secure the football. It doesn't have to be clean.

"(At first), I couldn't believe it (when the Chargers got the ball back). But when they officials explained it, I understood the rule."