Acantha

You must also take into account the size of fan base. The 12th man in Seattle was extraordinary this season. No attempt should be made to belittle that. That said, outside of Seattle, the Hawks don't have much of a following. They don't have the "bandwagon" that a team like Pitt can get. Pitt is an "old time" successful team. They have a much larger following outside of Pittsburgh than Seattle could hope for.

Well said.

http://www.stadiumwall.com/index.php?showtopic=41407 http://www.stadiumwall.com/index.php?showtopic=41397

And I agree that would be going way too far. All I'm saying is that they should follow the lead that Montana has taken. If it's all about the money, so be it. They owe him nothing.

And he would continue to get that treatment no matter what the NFL did. It would be for the point of it. And "alienating" Montana wouldn't hurt NFL in the sightest either. Hell, if they aren't worried about what last night's game is going to do to them, they sure as hell would have nothing to worry about with him. What the NFL and Montana "gain" from each other, while minimal, is a two way street. By turning them down for nothing but a bit of extra cash, Montana made it one way. Why bother with him?

2. If he was waiting to make the call, he should have done just that. How many times have you seen a ref run up to the pile and wait to make a decision? MANY. How many times have you seen a ref call a play down, run up to the pile, and then change his mind? Not quite as much. ESPECIALLY without another ref telling him to do so (seeing something different from another angle). He called the play down. It should have stood, and the play should have been reviewed from that point of view. 3. They had 1st and goal from very close in. Called correctly, that would have been the 3rd play Seattle was able to stop from mere yards away...Bus or no Bus. You can't say they would have got in no problem.

It isn't the same thing at all. His equivalent of me going to work would be PLAYING in the Super Bowl. Suiting up, getting his butt kicked around the field, risking injury, etc... Would I go to work for next to nothing? No. Would I go to a celebration where I was treated like a champion and also got compensation? Absolutely. Now, he doesn't have to do the same thing I would. That's his choice. But as I said earlier, the NFL should learn it's lesson from this. They should no longer offer their support to Montana in ANY situation for free. Charge him any time he wants to use the NFL's name for anything! Simple enough.

If my employer asked me to show my face, get cheered by millions, get VIP treatment everywhere I went, and be paid for it...I don't think I would negotiate. Not exactly a similar situation.

Which call? The one where the ref ran in and called it down, or following that when he called it a TD?

Incomplete

Because the NFL just took a crap on a game that I love. A game that I invest a lot of time, money, and emotion in. The fix was in. the NFL made a mockery of itself and it's fans.

The NFL IS a buisness. And Joe Montana should never be considered for any type of "honor" again. And if he is, he should have to pay to be a part of it. At this point, no one will miss him.

Actually, Ben did it on ensuing drive during the Randle El throw, and not only was it not called, but the announcers commented on what a great play it was.

A couple of the people I was watching the game with said that too, but I was expecting it. The game was pretty much sealed at that point. They could afford to call it correctly. If anything wierd happened after that (big play by Seattle), they could just call another holding penalty to CTA's.

Tough call, but I would say kick the FG. He had the distance, it was just a bit off. The only question I would raise is why they didn't call a TO before attempting the FG at the end of half. That kick was way too long to rush, and there was no reason not to call a TO. (At least I'm pretty sure they had one left at that point...right?)

I'm kind of confused, so this may not make sense, but: Unless both feet touched in bounds, it doesn't matter if the pylon was touched first. The pylon TD is only good AFTER posession is established, and the pylon will never establish posession.

I feel sorry for Seattle. I feel disgust for the NFL. This isn't just some random game they did this with. This is THE game. The game that everything is played for. The whole season....EVERYTHING...was crapped on. But what the hell can ya do? Not watch next year? Not really an option.

The pylon is considered the "air over the endzone". So by touching the pylon, it's the same as breaking the plane. But, it is not the same as touching the actual ground. Does that make any sense?

Yeah, there were plenty of screw jobs tonight, but that wasn't one of them.

And those are just the obvious ones because of field position. SO many of the holding calls against Seattle could have not been called. And hey, that's up to the refs...IF they are going to call them both ways. But after the first few "iffy" calls, I started paying attention, and Pitt was doing the same things, if not worse. These are plays that contributed to punts throughout the game. Not to mention giving Pitt that TO when the play clock had expired on that last drive! I couldn't believe it.

It's not the only way to win. St. Louis did it with high powered offense. Baltimore did it with Defense. The Pats have been doing it with solid overall team performance (certainly not a "smashmouth" team). That's just what I like. But then again, I'll like whatever gets the Bills back to the playoffs.

Speaking on the whole season, I totally agree. The Steelers are the perfect example of what I want for the Bills. I'm not with you today though. Seattle stopped the run (other than the obvious big one). I think they had given up hope by the end of this game, and I don't blame them.

Unless you are Seattle...then it's a penalty.

I voted for the refs.

My thoughts exactly. This is a black eye on the NFL, and chances are it will be swept under the rug. I don't give a damn about either team and I was PISSED watching that crap! Horrible way to end the season.