An attempt to look objectively at the Dawkins and Cybo holding calls according to the rules -

[BuffaloBill]

So, I really wanted to get out of homer mode to try to understand why the Bills were called on successive plays for offensive holding. I am not trying to argue that the refs made the right or wrong call. Instead, I seek to understand why they made the calls they did.

 

First, some resources for those that want to look at them:

 

Summary and video tutorial from the NFL about the rule

 

The official and full rule

 

Second, video clips of the plays:

 

Dawkins:

 

Sorry guys I can’t find video that I can clip for this post. The play occurs at the 39 second mark before the half. If you have DVR - you will see Dawkins chop hands and the Miami defender falls to the ground. Possibly - in the course of the play Dawkins sits on the defender (the announcers call this out).

 

 Cybo:

 

  

 

 

The possible basis for the calls based on the rules (again not arguing the case for the refs):

 

Dawkins:

 

The rule “If a blocker falls on or pushes down a defender whose momentum is carrying him to the ground, Offensive Holding will not be called unless the blocker prevents the defender from rising from the ground.” 

 

It was a beautiful block until Dawkins sits or motions like he is sitting on the defender. The ref probably calls it for this reason. Frankly, Dawkins had no need to do it and it was stupid.

 

Cybo:

 

The rule: “Use his hands or arms to materially restrict or alter the defender’s path or angle of pursuit. It is a foul regardless of whether the blocker’s hands are inside or outside the frame of the defender’s body. Material restrictions include but are not limited to:

grabbing or tackling an opponent;

hooking, jerking, twisting, or turning him; or

pulling him to the ground.

Penalty: For holding by the offense: Loss of 10 yards.”

 

 

In the video from Parrino at about the 5 second mark the Miami player’s jersey may move as if being tugged. It is exceptionally brief and not apparent from the camera angle is it is caused by Cybo grabbing. 

 

The refs probably judged this as “restricting” the defender’s path.

 

Again, this is simply trying to look at the rules and plays objectively. Thoughts?

 

[Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD]

Phantom Call

[gonzo1105]

Both calls were garbage and I’m not one to bash refs. His momentum was only going to the ground because Dawkins executed a flawless chop technique on the defender making him fall on his face on his own. 
 

Torrence literally had his hands in the breastplate the whole time and the DT never even tried to disengage to make it look like he was being held. 
 

Im about as in objective as they come and those two calls were bad 

[Jukester]

Even if by the letter of the rules, they were technically holding (which I have serious doubts about), the eye test says otherwise. I feel both were ticky tack calls. This type of stuff happens on every play and the fact they called them back to back on successive plays is mind blowing.  I saw multiple holds that were 10 times worse that went uncalled during the game. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

Dawkins rested his hands on top of the guy, but the LG had already fallen on top of the defender so it... i dunno he barely touched him and wasn't impeding him in the slightest.  The other factor is... the defender isn't trying to get up.  Holding requires impeding the defender and he wasn't really trying so how is he impeding him?  

[MJS]

In what way did Dawkjns prevent him from getting up? Not in any way.

[JJGauna]

How about the Rapp penalty lol.

[mikemac2001]

It was bull shite and dolphins were holding all day in the first half then they called those. 
 

I was thinking before that drive the refs were just letting them play and calling it both ways then that back to back bs 

[billieve420]

My whole thing is what is the point of the sky judges who has better view of the play. It should be simple with just telling the head official that is not holding and pick up flag then move onto next play.

Edited November 4 by billieve420

[Buffalo_Stampede]

They were bad calls. 
 

Number 1 thing I look for is hand placement. If you get your hands outside or on the shoulders you’re in bad shape and set yourself up for a holding call. Keep them inside on the numbers and you should be good.

 

Torrence was definitely gripping the DT, but had his hands inside. They rarely ever call that.

[Process]

Nothing that even came close to resembling a hold on either play. Complete phantom calls. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

It's honestly impossible to find any reasonable explanation for either flag.

For a brief moment it looks like Torrence might be holding the defenders arm but that is not the case. The defender just has his arm inside Torrence's arm and Torrence makes no attempt to hold it or to prevent the defender from disengaging.  It's just a terrible terrible call taking away one of the great plays of the entire season to date. 

Can't believe the NFL as an entertainment product doesn't intervene. They need the replay assist for all plays to intervene on plays like this where the ref clearly saw something that did not happen. 

[djp14150]

There was no holding on the Allen TD run that called it

 

this is a big mistake and thry should be docking the officials on this call when it comes to working playoffs

Edited November 4 by djp14150

[BuffaloBill]

1 minute ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

 

 

Torrence was definitely gripping the DT, but had his hands inside. 

 

Inside or outside hand position does not matter:

 

“Use his hands or arms to materially restrict or alter the defender’s path or angle of pursuit. It is a foul regardless of whether the blocker’s hands are inside or outside the frame of the defender’s body. “

 

The question is did he “grab” and did he materially alter the defenders path? 

 

 

 

[WeckMonster]

Insanely terrible calls. That’s how you coach blocking.
 

Along with Rapp, the refs had it in their mind that something must’ve happened as opposed to calling what they saw. Which is amateur behavior.

 

The rule book basically allows for holding or PI flags on every play. That’s the point of having competent refs… know the difference.

Edited November 4 by WeckMonster

[BuffaloBillies]

Refs trying too hard to find something. Ridiculous.

 

Chop Robinson (#44) falls to the ground after Dawkins swats his arms. WHERE'S THE HOLDING???!!! 

 

 

Benito Jones (#95) wasn't going to even sniff Allen as he ran by. He seemed content just holding his space.

 

 

[frostbitmic]

Those penalties were so vile, so offensive, Dawkins and Torrence should be fined.

[DabillsDaBillsDaBills]

Dawkins holding - I'm guessing that the ref saw the defender go down to the ground and assumed that Dawkins had latched onto him and thrown him down, which would be an easy holding call. Obviously that's not what happened, but if the ref had a bad angle I could see how he makes that assumption. 

 

Torrence holding - I don't know what the ref thought he saw on this play, but I don't see anything that remotely resembles a hold. This exact block could happen 100 times in a game and this would be the only time it was flagged. 

[billieve420]

Refs should be graded in real time by someone in the booth anytime a flag is thrown. If they see something clear and obvious is wrong should buzz the head judge and instruct him on what to do.

[Saxum]

42 minutes ago, djp14150 said:

There was no holding on the Allen TD run that called it

 

this is a big mistake and thry should be docking the officials on this call when it comes to working playoffs

 

The only way we will know is if those referees are working playoffs or not.