PEREIRA PITCHES ANDERSON UNDER THE BUS

When NFL V.P. of officiating Mike Pereira shows up for his retirement party later this year, he might want to make sure someone keeps referee Walt Anderson away from the cake. During halftime Sunday’s NFC title game, FOX’s Curt Menefee reported that Pereira has admitted that the second-quarter kickoff by the Cardinals ruled out of bounds by Anderson’s crew “probably never was out of bounds.” It’s amazing what an impending departure can do to loosen up a guy’s jaw. That said, we disagree with Pereira. The ball changed direction as it appeared to hit Victor Abiamiri’s arm.