Scoreboard "malfunction" caused Cundiff to rush his kick (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

It's not the first time New England has tried to mess with kickers at the end of games...

Snow Plow!

 

[JAA]

cant miss that kick

 

[SacramentoBob]

The Boldin play should've been a first down anyway. There's always the little things that favor the Pats to let you know the league has a hand in making them win. It's a big turnoff.

 

[Run It Up]

Clearly the cheatriots strike again, ASTERISK, ASTERISK.

rabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabble

 

[Workhorse]

Patriots scoreboard was CORRECT before the FG attempt

 

[RUSF18]

Patriots scoreboard was CORRECT before the FG attempt

I don't think anyone was questioning that. It was the error on earlier downs that led to Cundiff not being able to start his weirdo routine soon enough.

 

[Bad_Mo]

Ridiculous.

Baltimore had a time out but elected to rush Cundwhiff onto the field. The coaches are to blame as much as Billy boy.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

The Boldin play should've been a first down anyway. There's always the little things that favor the Pats to let you know the league has a hand in making them win. It's a big turnoff.

What confused me about this was I thought Boldin had actually made the first down even before the fumble out of bounds - I could have sworn the mark was after the first down marker - and I thought the announcers thought so also. I had no idea where the third down went. Then no mention of any of that.Does anyone have a link for a video of that final Boldin play?

 

[parrot]

Wasn't there a Big 12 game years ago, maybe involving Colorado, where the ref on the sideline using the down marker didn't change it and a team scored on 5th down? If you're on the sideline maybe you think the scoreboard is correct and sideline has it wrong.

So you can't trust the sticks, you can't trust the refs, you can't trust the scoreboard operator... NFL really should figure out a workable system before something really embarrassing happens in a Super Bowl.As far as this incident, no, I don't think Belichick goes up to the scoreboard operator before the game and specifically says "Hey, if there's a situation late in the game where you can be a little slow updating down-and-distance when Baltimore is driving, do it." But he does foster the culture of corruption and cheating within the organization that makes the scoreboard operator think on his own that if he does do something like this to screw over the visiting team, he'll be commended and rewarded for it.

You don't honestly think this do you? Seriously? How old are the posters on this board again?This is something I'd expect a 15 year old conspiracy theorist to believe.

You think the guy in the Snowplow game got fired? He got awarded the game ball by the coach after the game. The actual plow is hanging up in Gilette Stadium's Hall of Fame.

You think Belichick had some involvement in the snow plow game?

 

[Phlash]

Ridiculous.Baltimore had a time out but elected to rush Cundwhiff onto the field. The coaches are to blame as much as Billy boy.

Why is Belichick equally at fault as Harbaugh for Cundiff's miss

 

[treat88]

Harbaugh looked absolutely overwhelmed by the situation that entire final series.

Just bad, bad coaching.

And rushed or not, I still don't see how BB could possibly force an NFL kicker to miss a chip shot.

 

[TwinTurbo]

So most of us here have kicked FG's, taken penalty kicks, shot free throws, etc and I don't get the weirdo rituals that some of these's guys do. It doesn't improve the most important part of the process which is proper mechanics and they get iced when they're rushed or there isn't enough time to complete their OCD routine. Just be ready, line up, and make the f'n kick.

 

[rizzler]

the barrage of "chain gang" references led me to go over to my record player, and slap on Sam Cooke's classic.

that's the ONLY chain gang that matters.

 

[jonessed]

New England doesn't get the benefit of the doubt anymore.

That being said, Harbaugh and Cundiff need to handle that kind of situation better. It's still on them.

 

[John Bender]

New England doesn't get the benefit of the doubt anymore.That being said, Harbaugh and Cundiff need to handle that kind of situation better. It's still on them.

Make the kick and/or call a time out and make sure your kicker is set.

 

[John Bender]

Scoreboard operators are employed by the NFL, not individual teams, just like the chain gang, etc? Amiright?

Shhh, you'll ruin the fun for the others. And yes, you are right.So that means...the NFL wanted Baltimore to lose, there's your conspiracy.

I actually wasn't even positive but was 90% sure of this. Good to know.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

But he does foster the culture of corruption and cheating within the organization that makes the scoreboard operator think on his own that if he does do something like this to screw over the visiting team, he'll be commended and rewarded for it.

You don't honestly think this do you? Seriously?

I do, yeah. Belichick is known to have cheated and encouraged his employees to cheat in the past. I don't see why you think this is some weird statement that has no basis in reality.

 

[PatsFanCT]

But he does foster the culture of corruption and cheating within the organization that makes the scoreboard operator think on his own that if he does do something like this to screw over the visiting team, he'll be commended and rewarded for it.

You don't honestly think this do you? Seriously?

I do, yeah. Belichick is known to have cheated and encouraged his employees to cheat in the past. I don't see why you think this is some weird statement that has no basis in reality.

He videotaped from the sideline. A practice so popular that the league decided to ban it. He did it anyway, and got busted, fined and paid the price. A whole lot of exaggeration goes on when it comes to Belichick.

 

[Flying Elvis]

Goodness there's a whole lot of stupid going on in this one.

 

[John Bender]

"John Harbaugh dismisses “Scoreboardgate” as “nonsense”"

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/25/john-harbaugh-addresses-scoreboardgate/

 

[IvanKaramazov]

But he does foster the culture of corruption and cheating within the organization that makes the scoreboard operator think on his own that if he does do something like this to screw over the visiting team, he'll be commended and rewarded for it.

You don't honestly think this do you? Seriously?

I do, yeah. Belichick is known to have cheated and encouraged his employees to cheat in the past. I don't see why you think this is some weird statement that has no basis in reality.

He videotaped from the sideline. A practice so popular that the league decided to ban it. He did it anyway, and got busted, fined and paid the price.

So we agree. Cool.

A whole lot of exaggeration goes on when it comes to Belichick.

Wait. What?

 

[ivnabru]

New England doesn't get the benefit of the doubt anymore.That being said, Harbaugh and Cundiff need to handle that kind of situation better. It's still on them.

Maybe the Ravens should have followed the official downs on the sideline instead of the unofficial ones on the Jumbotron.

 

[Rick James]

32 yard fg

 

[AngryPatriot]

SO the Ravens had trouble counting to 4 at the most crucial time in the biggest game of the year and could've used a time out just in case there was confusion and didn't notice the correct down on the chains?

 

[CommuterMan]

The Chain Gang

The Chain Gang is part of the officiating crew and they are in charge the chains. The chains are used for measuring and are placed along the sidelines of the field. The chains are used by the officials to mark the ball placement on the field so everyone will know how far the offense has to go to make a first down or a touch down. The chain gang also keeps track of what down it is and they have a counter that is large and visible to the officials and everyone on the field and to the fans in the stadium and to the TV audience. This counter tells everyone what down it is and it changes as the down changes. The chain gang is a very important part of the officiating crew and they must mark the ball after every play and when a first down is made they will move the chains up and down the field as the play on the field is happening.

Anyone have any screencaps of the chain gang during this time. They're supposed to be the official source in case of "scoreboard malfunction"

Watching the game from the stands there was definitely some confusion both on the scoreboard and with the chain gang during the last few plays in the game. Obviously both got the correct down listed at the end of the series before Cundiff's kick but many of us around our section we were momentarily confused as well at to what the actual down was. In the frantic final seconds of any game - especially one with a ticket to the SB in the balance - confusion and uncertainty can cause many mistakes.I am still not sure why Harbaugh would not use a TO in that moment just to settle his team. The 'extra' TO was not going to be used regardless and this was not a 50+ yard attempt where trajectury would be an issue to consider a possible block scheme from NE... At the same time I am also surprised that Bilichick did not call a TO of his own just before the snap to 'freeze' Cundiff... What a story that would have been for the professor to explain after the game. Instead BB continues to look like a genius and NE moves on to the SB.

 

[JamesTheScot]

Wasn't there a Big 12 game years ago, maybe involving Colorado, where the ref on the sideline using the down marker didn't change it and a team scored on 5th down? If you're on the sideline maybe you think the scoreboard is correct and sideline has it wrong.

So you can't trust the sticks, you can't trust the refs, you can't trust the scoreboard operator... NFL really should figure out a workable system before something really embarrassing happens in a Super Bowl.As far as this incident, no, I don't think Belichick goes up to the scoreboard operator before the game and specifically says "Hey, if there's a situation late in the game where you can be a little slow updating down-and-distance when Baltimore is driving, do it." But he does foster the culture of corruption and cheating within the organization that makes the scoreboard operator think on his own that if he does do something like this to screw over the visiting team, he'll be commended and rewarded for it.

Was this a BB scheme? I don't think so. But it could easily be a little home cooking from the scoreboard crew. That said, Harbaugh should have called the TO. The risk of icing your kicker versus him rushing a kick seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

[Carver]

At the same time I am also surprised that Bilichick did not call a TO of his own just before the snap to 'freeze' Cundiff... What a story that would have been for the professor to explain after the game. Instead BB continues to look like a genius and NE moves on to the SB.

Belichick actually said that he was going to call the T.O until he seen their sidelines in a state of panic.

 

[GregR]

I don't discount the possibility that the operator as a NE fan had something to do with this.BB certainly did not, he's not a sith lord.

Spoiler

Atleast I don't think so

Thinking someone is not a sith lord is one of the surest signs that he is.

 

[General Tso]

I'm a Pats fan, and I'm normally very pessimistic by nature (Red Sox lineage), but when I saw the FG team running onto the field I had an overwhelming sense that Cundiff was going to miss it. It just looked like a train wreck right from the start. Why on earth Harbaugh didn't see that and call a timeout is the real issue here. In fact, I'd call it one of the worst coaching blunders in a high profile spot in NFL history. Seriously, Harbaugh totally folded under the pressure. No matter what he does the rest of his career this one will always haunt him.

But go ahead and be distracted from the real issue by dredging up Spygate and snowplows.

 

[Moonlight]

Bizarre to think that there was cheating. As the general says all Baltimore needed to do was to call a time out. Cundiff could have called it himself if he wasn't ready.

 

[AB in DC]

But he does foster the culture of corruption and cheating within the organization that makes the scoreboard operator think on his own that if he does do something like this to screw over the visiting team, he'll be commended and rewarded for it.

You don't honestly think this do you? Seriously?

I do, yeah. Belichick is known to have cheated and encouraged his employees to cheat in the past. I don't see why you think this is some weird statement that has no basis in reality.

Do you actually think that Belichick himself employs the scoreboard operator???Impugn Belichick's motives all you want, but the stadium staff reports to Kraft, not Belichick. And I've seen no one accusing Kraft of ever doing anything shady with the Patriots.

 

[HughHoney]

"John Harbaugh dismisses “Scoreboardgate” as “nonsense”"http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/25/john-harbaugh-addresses-scoreboardgate/

What's he gonna say, the Pats might have cheated? The league would rather see the golden boy in another super bowl?

 

[Ghost Rider]

I'm a Pats fan, and I'm normally very pessimistic by nature (Red Sox lineage), but when I saw the FG team running onto the field I had an overwhelming sense that Cundiff was going to miss it. It just looked like a train wreck right from the start. Why on earth Harbaugh didn't see that and call a timeout is the real issue here. In fact, I'd call it one of the worst coaching blunders in a high profile spot in NFL history. Seriously, Harbaugh totally folded under the pressure. No matter what he does the rest of his career this one will always haunt him.

I have to agree with this. Harbaugh blew it big time. Did the think he could save that timeout for overtime?

 

[IvanKaramazov]

But he does foster the culture of corruption and cheating within the organization that makes the scoreboard operator think on his own that if he does do something like this to screw over the visiting team, he'll be commended and rewarded for it.

You don't honestly think this do you? Seriously?

I do, yeah. Belichick is known to have cheated and encouraged his employees to cheat in the past. I don't see why you think this is some weird statement that has no basis in reality.

Do you actually think that Belichick himself employs the scoreboard operator???Impugn Belichick's motives all you want, but the stadium staff reports to Kraft, not Belichick. And I've seen no one accusing Kraft of ever doing anything shady with the Patriots.

Who employs Belichick?

 

[PatsFanCT]

"John Harbaugh dismisses “Scoreboardgate” as “nonsense”"http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/25/john-harbaugh-addresses-scoreboardgate/

What's he gonna say, the Pats might have cheated? The league would rather see the golden boy in another super bowl?

Please tell me this is just a fishing trip. I can't even imagine a person actually being this simpleminded.

 

[Run It Up]

Belichick got penalized and fined for doing something literally everyone was doing at the time.

So now we need to obviously take away all of his rings and accomplishments, because he is obviously a mastermind of lies and deceit.

Everything he has ever done or will do should be looked at under the suspicion that there is obviously some nefarious intention.

Obviously.

 

[Sarnoff]

All you Patriots homers and apologists are gonna be crying up a storm when the Colts owner puts Cooper Manning in charge of the scoreboard for the Super Bowl

 

[Run It Up]

All you Patriots homers and apologists are gonna be crying up a storm when the Colts owner puts Cooper Manning in charge of the scoreboard for the Super Bowl

Why would the colts favor one team over another in this superbowl?

 

[Joe Summer]

The Boldin play should've been a first down anyway. There's always the little things that favor the Pats to let you know the league has a hand in making them win. It's a big turnoff.

NFL RULES - SECTION 5 - POSSESSION OF A BALL AFTER OUT OF BOUNDSARTICLE 6: A fumble by the offensive team cannot result in an advance by that team if the ball is not recovered in the field of play or end zone.(a) A fumble that goes forward and out of bounds is to return to that team at the spot of the fumble.

 

[Phlash]

But he does foster the culture of corruption and cheating within the organization that makes the scoreboard operator think on his own that if he does do something like this to screw over the visiting team, he'll be commended and rewarded for it.

You don't honestly think this do you? Seriously?

I do, yeah. Belichick is known to have cheated and encouraged his employees to cheat in the past. I don't see why you think this is some weird statement that has no basis in reality.

Do you actually think that Belichick himself employs the scoreboard operator???Impugn Belichick's motives all you want, but the stadium staff reports to Kraft, not Belichick. And I've seen no one accusing Kraft of ever doing anything shady with the Patriots.

Who employs Belichick?

Do you think Belichick has some magical powers where people around him become evil agents or something Matrix style? As awesome as that would be its pretty far from reality, just like the whole

he does foster the culture of corruption and cheating within the organization

quote you said.Remember that Spygate happened because his former coach Mangini was mad at him after a loss and was trying to find any way he could of getting revenge. BB probably taught him well and that he should try to get any advantages he can, but Mangini took this too far and created an enormous stink in the New York media about it along with his appeal. BB ignored the letters previously sent to him from the league office because he more than likely didn't actually care what the league said they weren't going to do anything, and they finally put their foot down and said "ok we're not kidding anymore, we're taking your 1st rounder, never ignore us again".

That whole move was because BB wasn't taking the leagues demands seriously. If you honestly think BB sits around thinking of new ways to cheat to win, you're unbelievably off base. He will do everything he can to put his team in a better position to win, like every amazing coach in NFL history, but he is not going to actively look for ways to cheat. Why would he? He's already smarter than most NFL head coaches. He has the drive to win.

Saying BB "cheated" is about as correct as saying jaywalking is a crime. It is by definition but no one doing it is doing it because they want to be a felonious criminal - they're doing it because its faster to cross the street and they don't think its a big deal to have that luxury. The wrongdoing is not the jaywalking either - its ignoring the cops that's the problem.

 

[PatsFanCT]

All you Patriots homers and apologists are gonna be crying up a storm when the Colts owner puts Cooper Manning in charge of the scoreboard for the Super Bowl

Why would the colts favor one team over another in this superbowl?

Cooper would, obviously, but his post is still about as stupid as stupid gets.

 

[AmosMoses]

But he does foster the culture of corruption and cheating within the organization that makes the scoreboard operator think on his own that if he does do something like this to screw over the visiting team, he'll be commended and rewarded for it.

You don't honestly think this do you? Seriously?

I do, yeah. Belichick is known to have cheated and encouraged his employees to cheat in the past. I don't see why you think this is some weird statement that has no basis in reality.

Do you actually think that Belichick himself employs the scoreboard operator???Impugn Belichick's motives all you want, but the stadium staff reports to Kraft, not Belichick. And I've seen no one accusing Kraft of ever doing anything shady with the Patriots.

Who employs Belichick?

In Christianity he takes many names, usually Lucifer or Satan. The Ancient Greeks called him Hades, the Romans Pluto. Even the Zoroastrastians had a name for his employer, Angra Mainyu.