By Letter of Law, Officials Got Holding Call Right
The biggest - or most critical play - of overtime was Tim Jennings' defensive holding call on third-and-8.
Given the intensity with which Colts president Bill Polian lobbied the NFL to more strictly enforce illegal contact after the Colts lost to the Patriots in the 2003 playoffs, the call drips irony.
But was it the right call?
Unfortunately for Indy, it was. The play began at the 41 (although the official play-by-play says 40). Jennings was still locked up with Chris Chambers at the 35. Jennings did have the presence of mind to release Chambers and one wonders how many times the 5 yards turns into "5 yards or so" in the minds of officials, but it was the right call by the letter of the law.
Colts head coach Tony Dungy said only, "Defensive holding is not something we get called a lot on."
On the ensuing play, linebacker Clint Sessions made a more egregious blunder, gripping the face mask of Darren Sproles and getting called for a 15-yard penalty. Those two plays will haunt Colts fans.
Meanwhile, while Colts coach Tony Dungy said his decision on whether or not to return will come in a week, he did speak with the collective "we" when talking about the Colts coming back strong in 2009.
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Drilling deeply into the mantle layer of America's Passion, NBCSports.com's Tom Curran offers up quick hits and insights on all things NFL.
Darren Sproles is as fast as a rocket-can we call him SPROCKET?
Matt Millen providing insight and analysis? Are you nuts? This is the guy who engineered the 0-16 Lion fiasco. Turning a NFL franchise into a NFL joke --- Yeah, I want to hear what this guy has to say.
From the replays it looked like illegal contact would have been a more appropriate call than defensive holding, but they both carry the same penalty. As a Pats fan I found it hilarious that Indy's season ended primarily due to the type of penalty Bill Polian has been hell-bent on "emphasizing."
>> Given the intensity with which Colts president Bill Polian lobbied the NFL to more strictly enforce illegal contact after the Colts lost to the Patriots in the 2003 playoffs, the call drips irony.
Excellent point, Tom. The irony was something I (as well as many other Pats fans, I'm sure) was thinking about during the game. Would love to read an interview with Polian now, and hear his take on that call, especially in light of his efforts 4 years ago to put an emphasis on illegal contact.
Matt Millen as an NFL expert??? You've got to be kidding. Why don't you sign him to analyise the draft picks.
What a joke. No wonder your a 3rd rate station.