Another big mistake
The Ravens continue to be their own worst enemies in this game. They had the Patriots stopped on their second drive of the game, but Haloti Ngata clubbed Tom Brady in the head as he let go of the ball on a third-and-long in Ravens territory, keeping the drive alive.
It was the kind of mistake that makes coach John Harbaugh lie awake at night, but it was a heat-of-the-moment situation rather than a bonehead play.
What I'd like to know is what Ray Lewis was doing after the Patriots got that first down at the 1-yard line at the end of the first quarter. He made the stop to keep Sammy Morris out of the end zone and rushed out of the pile to celebrate the tackle, even though the Ravens failed to keep the Pats from getting the first down. The only thing I can figure is that he had a brain cramp and thought it was fourth and goal.
Comments
Peter,
I would hardly call that "clubbing in the head". Please. In neither roughing the passer call was it even apparent to me that Brady was even touched.
Now the Pats are up 17-7, with 14 of their points coming directly off of BS roughing the passer penalties. I understand the NFL's rationale for protecting QBs, but I really think they've gone too far. It is to the point where games are being dramatically altered by these calls, far beyond any expected benefit.
Referees are having more impact on the game's outcome than the players on the field, which is not what I think the competition committee was going for. It is extremely frustrating to be a fan rooting for your team in an important game, and see your team do everything right, but to have the play on the field negated by some misguided NFL policy.
Posted by: Andrew | October 4, 2009 2:45 PM
Pete,
That's bullsh*t. Flacco is getting hit late and nothing is being called. NE scored two touchdowns on HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE flags thrown. Ngata barely touch him, and Suggs was stumbling. He wasn't going for the hit. I thought NFL stood for NO FEMALES LEAGUE.
F*ck the NFL. I'm sick and tired of them making Brady rules. It's sickening.
Posted by: Purple Kool-aid | October 4, 2009 2:47 PM
WAAAAHHHHH!!! The rules that everyone has to follow are clearly biased against my team. It's the refs' fault we lost and it has nothing to do with the fact that my team failed to convert 4th downs twice at the end of the game. WAH WAH WAH!!!
Posted by: CryBaby | October 4, 2009 7:43 PM
For the record, "CryBaby", the NBC team just blasted Brady for asking for the flag on the Suggs play. Something along the lines of "maybe you should put on a skirt". Hardly a pro-Ravens crew, there. Maybe you ought to set aside your own blinders and actually look at the play. . . this is professional football -- my ten year-old son took some harder hits in his game yesterday. . . Brady is a sissy!!
Posted by: GiveItARest | October 4, 2009 10:06 PM