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October 6, 2009
I've never been one to complain about the refs in college football.
I can recall countless situations where either my friends or fans I came across in conversation made excuses for their teams losing by pinning it on the refs. Usually in these instances, bitterness took control and common sense was thrown out the window.
However, I can't help but wonder what the zebras were thinking in last weekend's LSU-Georgia game.
In case you missed it, Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green made a brilliant catch in the end zone in the fourth quarter to give the Bulldogs the lead. He was flagged for excessive celebration for....something. Heck, I have no idea. He jumped around with his teammates. What's wrong with that? See below:
If that wasn't enough, LSU running back Charles Scott ran for the game-winning touchdown on the next possession. Guess what happened after the scamper? Ding ding! He was also flagged for excessive celebration. As you'll see in the following clip, Scott did nothing more than point to the sky:
Here's the NCAA rule on excessive celebration:
NCAA Football Rule 9-2, Article 1 prohibits "Any delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed act by which a player (or players) attempts to focus attention upon himself (or themselves)"; in addition, Rule 9-2, Article 1 asserts that "After a score or any other play, the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot."
Both players seemed to act pretty normal in their post-touchdown demeanor. How many times have you seen a guy jump around with his teammates or point to the sky in praise? Hundreds.
In fact, the SEC's coordinator of officials said after watching tape, Green and Georgia shouldn't have been penalized.
Tim Brando went off in Saturday's CBS postgame show, calling for the rule to be abolished. He argued there's too much of a gray area with officials making judgment calls on excessive celebration penalties.
This seems like more of an SEC issue than a Big 12 issue, but I thought I'd bring it up because it's a developing story in college football. I can't recall too many incidents in the Big 12 where excessive celebration was a problem for the officials.
After seeing those Georgia and LSU clips, though, something has to be done to change this rule.
What do you guys think about the situation? As always, discuss.
Comments
MrPilot (anonymous) says...
Two ridiculous calls. But God-forbid a coach ever, EVER criticize an official. We can't have that.
October 6, 2009 at 6:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nnelson (Nick Nelson) says...
I'd agree those penalties are a little much. Maybe they're just prepping these guys for the No Fun League? Football's about showmanship and entertainment anyway, right? Let Ochocinco and T.O. do their thing!
October 6, 2009 at 6:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nnelson (Nick Nelson) says...
Oddly enough, I just came across this. Your Raiders, no less!
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shut...
October 6, 2009 at 6:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esorrentino (Eric Sorrentino) says...
Haha, I saw that clip from the Raiders and Chris Johnson. It's not the most obvious penalty, but I don't despise the call. He was definitely drawing more attention to himself than the LSU and Georgia players.
October 6, 2009 at 6:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waywardJay (anonymous) says...
this was all started as a way to reign in receivers after sharpie gate and the cell phone in the goal post..... etc, etc. etc.
It's gotta stop.
This is one of the problems with the NFL, aside from the Roughing the Passer penalties that gave the Patriots 14 points aginst my Ravens, Anytime the judgment of an official Comes into play, it's a mistake. Pass Intereference is a joke, some officials call it others will allow Receivers to be held all the way down field.
Three penalties i'd like to see scaled back.... Roughing the passer, Pass Interefence, and Excessive celeberation.
October 6, 2009 at 6:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kylecisnum1 (anonymous) says...
jay id like to add to that...roughing/running into the kicker. i'm getting tired of these stupid penalties being the deciding factors in games when it should be the players who decide it. all i can think about is that miami/ou game where the miami guy dove, was on the ground, then the punters foot came down on him (and of course he fell to the ground with those acting class skills). instant 15 yard penalty. personally the nfl has not been as exciting now that i cant wonder what t.o. or ocho is gonna do when they score.
October 6, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kuwells (anonymous) says...
Didn't Reesing get flagged for allegedly dropping the ball on a S. Miss player? Or did he talk after?
Regarless, dude pointing to the sky is not taunting. Marginal call like when Talib was flagged in the Orange Bowl.
October 6, 2009 at 11:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nnelson (Nick Nelson) says...
According to the commentators on TV and the replay, it appeared Reesing turned around and said something.
It's also kinda funny that Ochocinco has just come to terms with paying the fine and going through with the celebration, haha.
October 6, 2009 at 11:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waywardJay (anonymous) says...
and thank goodness for 85..... he inspires GOOD celebrations... His lambeau leap was hilarious.
October 7, 2009 at 12:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esorrentino (Eric Sorrentino) says...
wayward and kyle, couldn't agree more on ocho. I would literally watch Sunday games just waiting for the latest Ocho celebration. My college roommate and I posted a list on the wall of all his celebrations, and we'd plan on adding to it every weekend. Way more fun back in the day.
October 7, 2009 at 12:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waywardJay (anonymous) says...
the best part about Ocho's antics.... they are almost always on the sidelines, they involved individuals who help him makes plays..... and they are classy.....
Frankly, How many times are you going to get to DO the lambeau Leap..... unless you play there consistantly.... it's almost a homage to the fans there even if he plays for the other team.... there were a few giving him back pats also, a couple giving him the finger..... but you'll get that everywhere.....
Im begining to think he's one of the best teammates in the league.... What he tried to do for braylon edwards was ALSO very classy...... i Hope he truly is respected as the potentially hall of fame player he could be someday....... Alot ofpeople compare him to TO, I personally like to compare him more to Herman Moore.
October 7, 2009 at 1:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chuckberry32 (anonymous) says...
Excessive celebration, also known as the Miami rule, is/has/always will be stupid. How can you punish someone for celebrating. That's what it is all about. War-like focus and adreline lead to primitive displays of emotion following large successes. Get rid of the penalty!
October 7, 2009 at 6:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barchawk (anonymous) says...
Seems reasonable to call a Delay of Game penalty if the celebration lasts too long, or involves props. Also would be appropriate to call an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty if a guy takes his celebration to an R-rated level.
Otherwise, I say let them celebrate. If a guy can't point to the sky after a touch down, then they shouldn't be allowed to kneel and pray (not that they're ever actually praying). At some point, regulating this is ridiculous.
Rule needs to go away, and enforce existing rules (Delay of Game, Unsportsmanlike Conduct) to keep things reasonable.
October 7, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldalum (anonymous) says...
I thought the "no celebration" rule first came in to get rid of taunting because it was causing fights between the two teams. That made some sense to me, but it has gotten way out of control.
October 7, 2009 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KUFan90 (anonymous) says...
Taunting and props are uncalled for. But celebrating with team mates, dancing around, pointing at the sky, why not? What's the harm?
October 7, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coleman041765 (anonymous) says...
These zebra dressed officials are just plain incompetent and have no common sense at all. Jerks like this at the Georgia game should be barred forever from officiating any college football games. They just don't have any common sense in enforcing the rules.
Fed up with these ridiculous rule interpretations by these scumbags.
October 8, 2009 at 10:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )