Post by gschmitz on Sept 5, 2021 18:06:56 GMT -8
With three seconds left in today's semifinal matchup between the Duke City Gladiators and the Arizona Rattlers, Jarrod Elmore caught a pass from Nate Davis in the endzone, seeming to result in Duke City taking a 61-58 lead. Unfortunately for Duke City, a pass interference was called on WR Xavier Amy, resulting in the TD being called back. What followed was Duke City missing a would be game tying field goal in the final seconds, and thus a raging debate ensued in the youtube live chat. This debate was a debate filled with the emotion and bias of both sides, and none really used reasoned arguements, after all one just got a ticket to the United Bowl, one, seemingly robbed of one. I must admit I was in this as a Duke City fan, and I, and i assume every other person in the debate can say the same, did not even go back for a closer look at the play. After my emotions cooled, I rewatched the play, in 0.25 speed, to see what really happend.
For those who didn't see the play, the penalty was because Amy was allegedly ran a illegal pick route, supported by the fact that he ran the route waving his hands throughout the route, as one would do on a pick. On the slowed down play however, it seems that Amy raised both his hands like he would have done if he needed to ask a teacher a question, thus calling for the ball, then moved his arms into a position to catch. Throughout the entire play, Amy was running a route to the other end zone, only stooping after the ball passed him. The cornerback ran the entire route with him and did not try to get to Elmore. On the surface this seem a clear bad call, but if Elmore was calling for the ball, then why didn't he raise just one hand, it would allow him more speed because he could still be chugging the other arm. It is basic "call for the ball" logic that all wideouts at that level should know. This suggests cleverly disguised pick, which the cornerback simply didn't try to get to Emlore.
Ultimately, there is enough logic on both sides to say that either way, it's not a bad call, but not a good one either. It was a lose lose situation for the refs. The fact that they were handed significant evidence for each side makes it so the refs could have called either way and have been right. The game was literally put into the refs hands. It just unfortunately went against my Gladiators. That said, the refs still suck.
For those who didn't see the play, the penalty was because Amy was allegedly ran a illegal pick route, supported by the fact that he ran the route waving his hands throughout the route, as one would do on a pick. On the slowed down play however, it seems that Amy raised both his hands like he would have done if he needed to ask a teacher a question, thus calling for the ball, then moved his arms into a position to catch. Throughout the entire play, Amy was running a route to the other end zone, only stooping after the ball passed him. The cornerback ran the entire route with him and did not try to get to Elmore. On the surface this seem a clear bad call, but if Elmore was calling for the ball, then why didn't he raise just one hand, it would allow him more speed because he could still be chugging the other arm. It is basic "call for the ball" logic that all wideouts at that level should know. This suggests cleverly disguised pick, which the cornerback simply didn't try to get to Emlore.
Ultimately, there is enough logic on both sides to say that either way, it's not a bad call, but not a good one either. It was a lose lose situation for the refs. The fact that they were handed significant evidence for each side makes it so the refs could have called either way and have been right. The game was literally put into the refs hands. It just unfortunately went against my Gladiators. That said, the refs still suck.