Peyton told Sanders to be ready for his fall

[JackLambert58]

Put me in the camp of blaming the refs for not calling it.

As for the Brady thing, boo fuckin' hoo. The Patriots have a history of pushing the envelope with the rules. God knows it's been documented ad nauseum on this site.

[Legacy User]

I have no idea where people are coming to the conclusion that he fell down.

The camera angle behind the play clearly shows him kick out his back leg as if sliding. The difference is he kicked out to the side rather than in front of him. You don't "fall" this way, this is precisely how you slide.

Hey - ref didn't blow the whistle, play not dead... get up and throw the ball. I have no problem with that - I place blame on the official for missing it.

[swissvale72]

I think he fell down....no slide

[lifelongsteel]

I think he fell down....no slide

Make that 1 vote for falling down. 43.3M for sliding

[swissvale72]

I think he fell down....no slide

Make that 1 vote for falling down. 43.3M for sliding

Scroll back four posts, Lifelong....I think you'll find another one for falling down.

[lifelongsteel]

I think he fell down....no slide

Make that 1 vote for falling down. 43.3M for sliding

Scroll back four posts, Lifelong....I think you'll find another one for falling down.

Update
Sliding: 43.4M
Falling Down: 2

With 99.8% of precincts reporting

[Vertical Steel]

A. I think he fell

B. This is not why we lost the game.

I think we lost the game because...
1. We threw deep twice (I think). The first play of the game, and on 4th and 1.
2. Our receivers dropped a lot of passes (but so did Denver's).
3. Run, run, run, punt (and other awesomely passive offensive strategies).
4. No pass rush
5. Injuries to too many key players (but this was something we were in position to overcome if we had improved 1-4).

There are probably more reasons.

[Havoc]

Throwing deep on the first play is one of the reasons we lost?

It's an incompletion, man. We could have thrown short with a drop or run it for no gain and ended up with the same 2nd and 10.

That play was there for the taking and would have been a game changer.

Maybe wind conditions weren't conducive.

[Jobu]

A. I think he fell- Mannings history tells me he gave himself up, but not something to make a big deal over, because...

....B. This is not why we lost the game.

I think we lost the game because...
1. We threw deep twice (I think). The first play of the game, and on 4th and 1. -this is NOT why we lost the game
2. Our receivers dropped a lot of passes (but so did Denver's).-this is NOT why we lost the game
3. Run, run, run, punt (and other awesomely passive offensive strategies).-now we're on to something
4. No pass rush-and really on to something
5. Injuries to too many key players (but this was something we were in position to overcome if we had improved 1-4). -bing-fucking-O

There are probably more reasons.-many

[Steelers4Life]

Throwing deep on the first play is one of the reasons we lost?

It's an incompletion, man. We could have thrown short with a drop or run it for no gain and ended up with the same 2nd and 10.

That play was there for the taking and would have been a game changer.

Maybe wind conditions weren't conducive.

I think he is saying that we ONLY threw deep twice.

[Donnie Brasco]

A. I think he fell

B. This is not why we lost the game.

I think we lost the game because...
1. We threw deep twice (I think). The first play of the game, and on 4th and 1.
2. Our receivers dropped a lot of passes (but so did Denver's).
3. Run, run, run, punt (and other awesomely passive offensive strategies).
4. No pass rush
5. Injuries to too many key players (but this was something we were in position to overcome if we had improved 1-4).

There are probably more reasons.

I agree that singular play wasn't why we lost the game, just another one of those close calls (like DPI on Wheaton) that didn't go our way. Add those calls up cumulatively, and its a bunch of lost yards

[Vertical Steel]

Throwing deep on the first play is one of the reasons we lost?

It's an incompletion, man. We could have thrown short with a drop or run it for no gain and ended up with the same 2nd and 10.

That play was there for the taking and would have been a game changer.

Maybe wind conditions weren't conducive.

NO.... Throwing deep on the first play of the game was great. I stated that we threw deep twice all game. No sane person would think that was too much. The play calling was scared. We didn't take enough chances down field.

[Kodiak]

The play calling was scared. We didn't take enough chances down field.

True, but I wonder how much the wind and Ben's shoulder factored into that. I felt they weren't aggressive enough in the RZ and settled for fg's. Punting from the 35 on 4th and 1 or whatever was absolutely gutless, as well - kick the FG or go for it. There are few situations where punting there is the correct decision, but that wasn't one of those times.

And disagree the blown call on Peyton's dive wasn't critical. Could have killed that drive.

But the bottom line was PIT was so close on so many plays but didn't finish.

[swissvale72]

The play calling was scared. We didn't take enough chances down field.

True, but I wonder how much the wind and Ben's shoulder factored into that. I felt they weren't aggressive enough in the RZ and settled for fg's. Punting from the 35 on 4th and 1 or whatever was absolutely gutless, as well - kick the FG or go for it. There are few situations where punting there is the correct decision, but that wasn't one of those times.

And disagree the blown call on Peyton's dive wasn't critical. Could have killed that drive.

But the bottom line was PIT was so close on so many plays but didn't finish.

Wasn't 4th & 1, was 4th & about 20.

[zeke5123]

How is it illegal if he slipped and went down or acted well enough to make it look like he did? If a WR trips over his feet and gets up again, is that legal?

The rule is clear. If a player goes "feet first" then they will have deemed to give themselves up, intent does not factor into it.

What makes it ambiguous is the fact that it does indeed look like he lost his footing and simply, "slipped." He was trying to evade a tackle.

The "feet first" argument is vague. I think "intent" is how the rule is interpreted. Nothing in replay would overturn what was called on the field.

The official didn't blow the whistle because he didn't think Manning "gave himself up."

We as steeler fans wish he did. But he didn't.

Also, this.

http://static.nfl.com/static/content/pu ... Scrimm.pdf

And this :

http://i.imgur.com/1JPqZmS.gif

https://twitter.com/jeremywgr/status/643480159362908160

How is the feet first argument vague? The rule provides two avenues for "giving yourself up." One specifically includes an intent clause. The other does not. Therefore, under widely accepted interpretative guidelines, that means intent is not an element in the second avenue (i.e., feet first).

Now, if you are arguing over what fee first means... well... it seems obvious that there are two ways to slide -- head first or feet first. Manning didn't slide head first and his feet were used to slide forward. So, it must be feet first.

[Legacy User]

Apart from his legs kicking out to slide, he even tucks the ball.

Guy knew exactly what he was doing. Shame on the officials

[Vertical Steel]

Apart from his legs kicking out to slide, he even tucks the ball.

Guy knew exactly what he was doing. Shame on the officials

I see him trying to avoid the pass rusher, and in doing so, he is running at an angle that would make it hard to stay on his feet. He doesn't slide feet first, his legs kick out to the right. It looks to me like he lost his footing.

As for tucking the ball. What dumb ass would hold the ball out away from his body when he feels his feet slipping out from under him?

[COR-TEN]

It should also be noted that Manning is/was coming off a (still recovering from) torn plantar fascia. In his left foot. Not unusual for him to be club footed.

[Stillerz Bar]

Apart from his legs kicking out to slide, he even tucks the ball.

Guy knew exactly what he was doing. Shame on the officials

I see him trying to avoid the pass rusher, and in doing so, he is running at an angle that would make it hard to stay on his feet. He doesn't slide feet first, his legs kick out to the right. It looks to me like he lost his footing.

As for tucking the ball. What dumb ass would hold the ball out away from his body when he feels his feet slipping out from under him?

Just like Ben has a history of staying on his feet, Manning has been known to hit the dirt rather than take a big hit. Anytime he sees it coming and doesn't think he can get out of the way he goes down.

If this was unusual I might agree that he fell but Peyton has done the same thing over and over. The minute the play happened I screamed "He gave himself up again "

[R_S]

Apart from his legs kicking out to slide, he even tucks the ball.

Guy knew exactly what he was doing. Shame on the officials

He even paused for a split second (thinking the play was over) then realized they never blew the whistle and then he decided to get back up. The fact that he hesitated tells me all I need to know. He went to the ground purposely and under his own power.

[Legacy User]

Apart from his legs kicking out to slide, he even tucks the ball.

Guy knew exactly what he was doing. Shame on the officials

He even paused for a split second (thinking the play was over) then realized they never blew the whistle and then he decided to get back up. The fact that he hesitated tells me all I need to know. He went to the ground purposely and under his own power.

he hesitates in part to allow his receiver to get enough (major) separation from Gay then he pops up and immediately throws to him when hes WTFO. 1000% went down under his own power.

[Legacy User]

gamesmanship

[COR-TEN]

Somebody should post a gif from field level. Very different perspective. One that shows his feet actually slipping and no ankle movement.

[Steelafan77]

Brady loses in AFCCG Check.

Manning loses in SB Check.

I'm Happy. Check.

[Legacy User]

Brady loses in AFCCG Check.

Manning loses in SB Check.

I'm Happy. Check.

and Uncle Bruce/Fitz hoist the Lombardi. I'm happy and happy for those 2 as well and ARII can eat a shit sandwich as a bonus.

[swissvale72]

Brady loses in AFCCG Check.

Manning loses in SB Check.

I'm Happy. Check.

and Uncle Bruce/Fitz hoist the Lombardi. I'm happy and happy for those 2 as well and ARII can eat a shit sandwich as a bonus.

I'm seeing Patriots losing today on a big officiating controversy!!

That happens, I'll be rooting for the NFC entrant in the SB, but honestly, I won't begrudge Manning another ring.....small price to pay for knocking the Patriots the fuck out!!

[Legacy User]

Brady loses in AFCCG Check.

Manning loses in SB Check.

I'm Happy. Check.

and Uncle Bruce/Fitz hoist the Lombardi. I'm happy and happy for those 2 as well and ARII can eat a shit sandwich as a bonus.

I'm seeing Patriots losing today on a big officiating controversy!!

That happens, I'll be rooting for the NFC entrant in the SB, but honestly, I won't begrudge Manning another ring.....small price to pay for knocking the Patriots the fuck out!!

I hear ya swiss.

[Jobu]

I'd have no problem with Peyton winning another Super Bowl..

[Legacy User]

I'd have no problem with Peyton winning another Super Bowl..

Me either. The guy is very humble to be who he is, and I've never heard anything otherwise from anyone who has met him. As long as the cheatriots don't go I could really care less who wins, but if I had to choose someone it would be to see Peyton go out with one more SB win.

[Legacy User]

Apart from his legs kicking out to slide, he even tucks the ball.

Guy knew exactly what he was doing. Shame on the officials

He even paused for a split second (thinking the play was over) then realized they never blew the whistle and then he decided to get back up. The fact that he hesitated tells me all I need to know. He went to the ground purposely and under his own power.

Well considering he doesn't have eyes in the back of his head, he may have hesitated because he fell down and wasn't sure if he were touched or not. Realizing that the whistle didn't blow he got up and went for it.