Comments on: Ben Roethlisberger fumbles on goal line but the Steelers escape with the win

By: VASeahawk

VASeahawk — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:26:00 +0000

Official that called the TD couldn’t have possibly seen the ball break the goal line because “She Said No’s” body was blocking his view. The ball only comes into view as it is squirting free into the end zone. Unfortunately, because if his total incompetence we will never know what would have happened. Sure looked like Phins would have come up with it. But the idiot(IMO) blew the whistle. Do believe the rules as written were correctly applied by the head ref given that the other idiot(IMO) blew the call in his zeal to see a Pitt win(IMHO)
Another shaft job to a Stealer opponent. yeah yeah I know…Lions and Colts…Lions and Colts.

By: 18ALLDAY

18ALLDAY — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:37:14 +0000

The refs make such a big deal about “completing the process of the catch” then why can’t they complete the process of officiating the play. If they claim the play was “dead” when the ball crossed the goaline then it makes the whole Calvin Johnson ruling even more confusing. The ref who did first put up the TD signal had absolutely no view of the ball in Ben’s hands so why didn’t he delay his call like they do a million times and run up to the play and see if the ball was across the line or not. Hell refs do this all the time even on obvious TD’s just to make sure they got the call right. I think refs are so afraid to look hesitant that they almost have a pre concieved call. Kind of like the NBA refs who anticipate fouls and blow the whistle even when no foul is committed. A couple years ago the big thing was that the refs were not blowing the whistle so quickly and letting the play “work itself out” and if a runner was in fact down or did in fact fumble then replay would be there to correct it. I’m sure 5 years from now the Dolphins will get an apology letter from the head of officiating stating that they blew this call just like Seattle did regarding the Super Bowl goaline play which involved who…oh yea Big Ben and the Steelers.

By: steelerdynasty

steelerdynasty — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:43:17 +0000

@marinofreakout:
here’s a real easy explanation:
ref screwup #1 -
he called the td because the fumble occurred at the 6 inch line at full speed, so slo-mo, no
dvr, no monday morning qb-ing. just live and full speed with two players falling to the
ground. with the ball on the ground, it was probably more important than ever to give a
decisive call in order to keep people from getting hurt. (if you dont think its plausible
that players would get hurt trying to fight for a football in a dogpile at the end of a
close game when the recovery would probably seal victory for the team that gets it, you’re
really committed to whining and denial.)
ref screwup #2: not a coherent argument. try again. the guy who signaled TD cant do both
simultaneously.
ref screwup #3:
the rule doesnt call for someone to “end up” with the ball out of a dogpile, it calls for
the official to determine who IMMEDIATELY SECURED A CLEAR RECOVERYD. i dont care what kind
of dvr package you have at home or what angle you review the play from, you/it cannot see
through a pile of bodies to determine who secured it clearly and immediately. period. the
play was dead because a touchdown was signaled. it wasnt determined to still be live AFTER
BEING REVIEWED, and only then. That sir, is why there had be video evidence of a clear and
immediate recovery as i explained earlier.
for everyone proposing a rule change, i ask you WHY and to what?
in this perfect world of yours, why would an official continue to watch for possession of
a “fumble” on a play called a touchdown on the field? wouldnt doing so be an acknowledgement
that it was not a touchdown and in fact a fumble? They cant call both on the field at the same time. Touchdowns are different than other plays. Touchdowns are dead at the moment the football breaks the plane of the goaline (obviously while someone possesses the ball). First downs and other advancements are dead when the whistle blows. They’re different circumstances

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 22:58:47 +0000

@basedrum777 …
The endzone camera angle aired on NBC’s postgame coverage last night showed Roethlisberger scooping his arm around the ball as all the other players dove in.
I’m a professional journalist and researcher and have worked with rape victims for years. I’ve been over every document in both Nevada and Georgia with a practicing criminal defense attorney and other experts in the field. The complainant in the Nevada case had a one-night stand with Roethlisberger. The following day, she sent text messages saying she wanted to see Ben again. Other evidence is available, but those texts –which filed as evidence with the Nevada court–are proof their encounter was consensual. A year later, she sued him for $3 million. Nevada police issued a statement saying there is no evidence any rape occurred.
According to multiple witnesses not associated with Roethlisberger or the Georgia accuser, the woman was drinking all night as she followed Roethlisberger from club to club, pinching his backside and using his entourage to get close to him. She followed him to Cap City, where she was heard engaging him in graphically sexual conversation and trying to get him back to her place. Ben refused. One of her friends began ragging Ben about the Nevada suit, so he threw her out and a bodyguard refused to readmit her. The accuser was alone with Ben less than 10 minutes. When she left the club, the woman who’d been ejected from the party and another pal dragged her to police and said she’d been raped. She denied they’d even had sex but later went along with her friends. Those two friends were the only people telling the story about a bodyguard blocking the bathroom. Other witnesses refuted that story. The accuser’s medical exam showed she could not have had intercourse with Roethlisberger.
In his 71-minute press conference, Milledgeville DA Fred Bright said he did not have enough evidence for even probable cause–the reasonable assumption that a crime has occurred.
I do my homework, little man. And since I’ve spent hours with victims ranging from five to 80, I don’t give quarter to women who lie and exploit rape or harassment issues for personal gain–whether they’re accusing Ben Roethlisberger, Brandon Underwood, or Brett Favre. And I don’t have much use for a pitiful excuse for a man who uses rape as a nah-nah to rival football teams.
If you want to see the NBC footage, I suggest you get off your lazy bottom and look for it rather than continuing to squeal that it doesn’t exist. Anyone watching the postgame last night knows better.

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 22:03:49 +0000

@basedrum777 …
The endzone camera angle aired on NBC’s postgame coverage last night showed Roethlisberger scooping his arm around the ball as all the other players dove in.
I’m a professional journalist and researcher and have worked with rape victims for years. I’ve been over every document in both Nevada and Georgia with a practicing criminal defense attorney and other experts in the field. The complainant in the Nevada case had a one-night stand with Roethlisberger. The following day, she sent text messages saying she couldn’t wait to see Ben again. A lot of other evidence is also available, but those texts alone–which have been filed as evidence with the Nevada court–are proof that their encounter was consensual. A year later, she ran into financial problems and sued him for $3 million. Nevada police issued a statement saying there is no evidence any rape occurred.
According to multiple independent witnesses not associated with Roethlisberger or the Georgia accuser, the woman was drinking heavily all night as she followed Roethlisberger from club to club, pinching his backside and using his entourage to get close to him. She followed him to the Cap City club, where she was heard engaging him in graphically sexual conversation and trying to get him to come back to her place. Ben refused. One of her friends began ragging Ben about the Nevada rape suit, so he threw her out of the party. She and a pal tried to get back in but the bodyguard refused to readmit them.
The accuser, who was wearing a pin she told everyone meant she was “Down to F**k,” was alone with Ben for less than 10 minutes. When she left the club, the two women who’d been ejected from the party dragged her to police and said she’d been raped. She repeatedly denied they’d even had sex. She later changed her story to go along with her friends. Those two women were the only people to tell the story about a bodyguard blocking the bathroom. All the other witnesses refuted that story, and it didn’t match any of the many stories the accuser told.
The accuser’s medical exam showed she could not have had intercourse with Roethlisberger.
In his 71-minute press conference explaining the decision not to press charges against Roethlisberger, Milledgeville DA Fred Bright said he could not prove penetration–because the medical exam showed there was no penetration. And he could not prove anything was against her will–because she’d propositioned the guy all evening in front of multiple witnesses. Bright said he did not have enough even for probable cause, which is the reasonable assumption that a crime has occurred.
I do my homework, little man. And since I’ve spent hours with victims ranging from five to 80, I don’t give quarter to women who lie and exploit rape or harassment issues the system for personal gain–whether they’re accusing Ben Roethlisberger, Brandon Underwood, or Brett Favre. And I don’t have much use for a pitiful excuse for a man who uses rape as a nah-nah to rival football teams.
If you want to see the NBC footage, I suggest you get off your lazy bottom and look for it rather than continuing to squeal that it doesn’t exist. Anyone watching the postgame last night knows better.

By: BigOx

BigOx — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 21:50:52 +0000

@ Steelerschick43
Okay, lets go back another year. Steelers non-divisional home games…San Diego, Green Bay, Minnesota, Tennessee. Road games – Kansas City, Denver, Chicago, Detroit. Need I say more?
Oh, and Superbowl XL? C’mon, the Seahawks were robbed. You can’t hang your hat on that one. And – I am not your son (but I am a sweetie…).

By: basedrum777

basedrum777 — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:46:07 +0000

BigJOe didn’t you have to fumble it for the fins to get those turnovers? I’d say that’s good defense….

By: kravon

kravon — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:41:50 +0000

Bottom line folks – Dont leave it in the hands of the refs.
Steelers had two fumbles lost in the first few minutes. Get touchdowns, not field goals. Fail.
The Dolphins still had a chance to drive for a game winning field goal. Fail again.
Kravon

By: BigJoe

BigJoe — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:35:45 +0000

Basedrum777:
What game were you watching? The Dolphins outplayed the Steelers all game long? The fins might have gotten jobbed on the ref’s call, but you’re crazy if you think the Dolphins outplayed the Steelers. No running game, and a complete inability to score a TD when handed the ball in the red zone TWO TIMES IN THE FIRST TWO MINUTES!!! I’d say the poor little fins got outplayed in the first two minutes, and it was over from there.

By: ArcticEdge

ArcticEdge — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:27:21 +0000

It was a fumble and should have been a touchback, giving the Dolphins the ball at the 20, and secured a well deserved win for them. These are the facts, and only blind homer Stiller fans will disagree.

By: basedrum777

basedrum777 — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:36:00 +0000

Deb apparantly you have footage of Ben grabbing the ball that no other media outlet has in the world. Every video I have seen shows a Dolphins Linebacker grabbing the ball. The same linebacker who comes out of the pile with the ball. PLease provide us with this magical footage your clearly unbiased view has on this play. Also please rewatch the play and notice the whistle the Steelers fans on here are claiming occurred didn’t happen until a good 5 seconds after the ball was being “scrummed” for. That is clearly the ref’s f’ing up and they just did what their minds would like to do: forget the play ever happened and “re-do”. Its a joke of a call for a game changing play.
I’m sorry my “complaining” isn’t helping your argument my dear but as far as personal attacks go you have some soul searching to do if you’re going to defend a rapist on here as a woman.

By: jm4385

jm4385 — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:20:42 +0000

Ok..number one…..you dolphins fans are pathetic. You cry more than it rains in ur state. If any of you so called football fans even watched the game…you would notice that when the ball fumbled..yes…2 dolphins players wer falling on it…BUT..and thats a huuuugggee BUT…..doug legursky was actually the one who had the ball under the pile. You could see him coming in on both dolphins players scooping it. The reason why one of ur no talent dophins players came up with it is bc legursky let the ball go when the official signaled a TD. So ther wasnt any reason for him to fight for it. Then..YOU GUYS…being the cheap skates you are tryed to make it look like u had the ball. PLEASE. And another thing you pathetic freaks of nature….if any of our players wernt so afraid to lay the wood bc of suspensions that game woulda been alot worse for you.

By: Juice

Juice — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:01:28 +0000

@clemin
Throwing out a “what if” scenerio doesnt help you rest your case in any argument, numbnuts. A little thing called facts would help though.
The Steelers NEVER have had to deal with questionable calls? There were 3 non calls on the Phins earlier in that SAME GAME (illegal contact on Hines Ward in the endzone, 2 missed holding calls on Harrion). WTF does that matter? Last time I checked, the players are the ones that have to: run, block, tackle, throw, catch, kick, and cover.
(roundhouse kick to the face) That happens to every team, every week, and will ALWAYS happen as long as human beings regulate the field of play. (jump kick to the gut) This is called human error. (getting on one knee and giving an uppercut punch to the balls) Its been a part of the game since 1920 and always will be! BOOM! Knockout! Fine me $75k Goodell, it was well worth it!
Anyone else want to make a few ignorant comments because the Steelers ruined their Sunday ONCE AGAIN?!?! You’re mad at all the losing you’ve endured, not Steeler Nation…WE FORGIVE YOU!

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:49:23 +0000

@basedrum777 ….
Honey, have you had your after-school snack yet? It might help the blood flow to your brain. Apparently you have some memory problems as well as an unfamiliarity with NFL rules.
The Dolphins couldn’t score touchdowns in the red zone all day, baby boy. Did you notice the downfield passes Roethlisberger was throwing? Now on that controversial play: Ben hit the plane and defender simultaneously as the ref signaled TD and blew the whistle and the ball popped out.
It was a fumble, no TD. BUT when the whistle blew, the play ended. That’s the rule in American football. So the ball goes to the last team of possession at the spot of the fumble. Steelers ball, first and goal, on the six-inch line–as they called it.
Even if you want to pretend the whistle didn’t blow, the end zone camera footage clearly showed Roethlisberger wrapping his arm around the loose ball just as the Dolphins piled on. So it is just as likely he had the ball at the bottom of the pile as anyone else.
Now blow your nose and go play.

By: basedrum777

basedrum777 — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:26:07 +0000

The dolphins outplayed the steelers the whole game. The refs decided at the end rather than do their jobs they wanted to sit around and watch ben fumble his way into a touchdown.
The Ref can look at any and all aspects of a play once it is reviewed including spot of the ball and fumble (if necessary). That’s why so many “did they fumble it” reviews end up with adjustments to the spot of the ball.
The same dolphins player who is shown on video landing on the ball is the one who stood up with it. Either it was passed around (as channing crowder points out) or he had it the whole time (Much more likely).
Steelers lost this game and if that’s the best team in the NFL than the dolphins are easily top 5.

By: Silverback999

Silverback999 — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:55:41 +0000

“I had the ball but the official said ‘Let the ball go, it’s a touchdown,” so I did. But I knew I had the ball because I was losing the feeling in my arm from squeezing it.” — Jonathan Scott, Steelers RT who said he recovered Roethlisberger’s fumble in the end zone on the bizarre replay review
1st of all I didn’t see any conclusive evidence to overturn the call on the field. There was not a clear angle to show if the ball broke the plane so the call should have stood. 2nd, the play was dead after the official called it a TD. What happened after doesn’t really matter. If the refs are always pro Steeler then they could have easily claimed inconclusive and let the call stand. In the most recent Steeler SB win they also reversed a Ben TD and the Steelers settled for a FG. So there are plenty of times when calls don’t go Pittsburgh’s way. Quit your crying. The Steelers had their Qb suspended for 4 games without ever being charged w/ a crime-ever-not evn a speeding ticket. And Harrison gets fined 75k for two plays that weren’t even flagged. i don’t think we’ve been getting helped out a lot by the league lately.

By: smitty6995

smitty6995 — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:19:40 +0000

Once the official ruled touchdown on the field there was no reason for them to see who recovered the fumble because once ruled a touchdown there is no fumble. steelers win!

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:52:56 +0000

@bgjensen …
So your team lost a football game and now you’re going to make vulgar comments about rape and Jesus. Well aren’t you special?
So you read Andrea McNulty’s complaint? Then you know alcohol had no involvement in that incident? And you know she sent text messages the day after telling people how she couldn’t wait to see Roethlisberger again? And you know they’re on file with the court? Yeah, sounds like rape to me.
And you’ve read the medical report in Georgia saying the woman never had intercourse that night? And heard the DA say he couldn’t prove either penetration or lack of consent because the woman propositioned Ben in front of witnesses all night long? So no sex = no rape (at least for people who aren’t brain dead)?
Jesus has nothing to do with this … and very obviously you have nothing to do with Jesus. You should leave His name out of your sick rants.

By: kravon

kravon — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:27:15 +0000

Steelers have the most wins over quality opponents in the league.
Falcons 5-2
@ Titans 5-2
@ Bucs 4-2
Browns 2-4
@ Fins 3-3 = 19-13
Pats wins:
Bengirls 2-4
Bills 0-6
@Miami 3-3
Ravens 5-2
@SD 2-5 = 12-20
Jets:
Pats 5-1
@Miami 3-3
@Bills 0-6
Minny 2-4
@Denver 2-5 = 12-19
Kravon
PFT Handicapper

By: Steelerschick43

Steelerschick43 — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:12:53 +0000

BigOx says:
October 25, 2010 9:44 AM
I am a fan of neither team – that was inexusable. Fins got screwed, and the football Gods handed the Steelers another one (just like the schedule makers – ever notice how the Steelers play their tough, non-divisional opponents at home (Jets, Patriots, Falcons, etc.) and the easier ones on the road (Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Miami, etc.)?
——————————————-
BigOx is it???? Let me tell you something about Pittsburghs schedule…it is NEVER easy!
We have to play the Ravens and Cincy 2 times a year and usually the Patriots (how many of those did we win???) Colts, Jets, Giants etc…tell me how our schedule is ever easy? We won Superbowl XL on the road as the #6 seed son..our journey has NEVER been easy!!! I”ll be your team doesn’t have to play the Ravens, Browns, Bengals, Pats, Indy, Jets almost every year!!! You’re an idiot with no real case son!!! Try again sweetie!

By: Steeler-hatred-is-funny

Steeler-hatred-is-funny — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:45:44 +0000

BgJenson is an idiot! He has nothing intelligent to add to the discussion so he just post nonsense, Dude, or MAm (Whatever) your a grown up! Please think like a grownup!

By: Steeler-hatred-is-funny

Steeler-hatred-is-funny — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:40:38 +0000

Praveen, you claim to be a Steelers fan but know very little about the team!
Ben scrambling has not changed he does it every game!
Bruce Arians is an easy target for ignorant fans who don’t really know the game
Going for it on fourth amd goal would have been stupid, you take the lead and make the D earn their money! And in that situation they did!
Praveen please pick another team, Steeler fans know their sport, and you seem to be an exception, I think your proclaimed team afilliation, is a fraud! I’m calling BS on you being a Steeler fan!

By: steelwill

steelwill — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:40:00 +0000

They should not have signaled the TD is the problem, He didn’t see the ball cross the plane in Ben’s possession. Once the hands went up, the fins fate was sealed because the play is dead. The teams would have to be instructed to play after the whistle, which would encourage late hits. They should have let it play out and then let the scrum resolve itself.
Blame the first ref who threw up the hands.

By: Steeler-hatred-is-funny

Steeler-hatred-is-funny — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:29:58 +0000

Hey Praveen, Learn the game please befor you start commenting!
Hey Sports Follower, your opinion has never meant a damn thing!
Eat it Dolphin fans! Learn the rules, I know your excited and it has been a while since you have had good football on southbeach in that rat’s cage you call a stadium, since marino hung up the cleats, but it’s time you all freshen up on your football knowledge! Your ignorance, will as a NFL fan bring you nothing but pain, Know the game and you can rationalize the outcome of that game, and come to realize and except the true reason why your team left the field with a check in the L column!

By: bgjensen

bgjensen — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:27:38 +0000

Ben Roethlisberger gets drunk and rapes women. It is what it is, deal with it Steelers fans. He’s a serial rapist.
All the Jesus in the world can’t change that.

By: Steeler-hatred-is-funny

Steeler-hatred-is-funny — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:12:24 +0000

People, who hate the Steelers seriously need to put their delusional predjudices aside, and realize the the Miami dolphins have noone to blame but themselves!
*Sure up your kick return coverage unit
*Add more speed to your secondary and M.
Wallace doesn’t burn you for a 53 yd TD
*Tackle Better, (Hines Ward TD)
* Score a TD when your given the ball at the 22
and the 13 yd line! (Two TOs, 6pts not good …
enough )
*Gain more than 4 yds, when your only down 1 pt
and you have 2:30 min. left on the clock to gain
55 yds to put you in FG range, (You Started…
From your own 30 yd line, nice field position)
Do these things and the refs don’t matter, and your Dolphins win this game going away!!!

By: FinFanRod

FinFanRod — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:47:51 +0000

All this “if the Dolphins would have scored 2 touchdowns” crap is beyond stupid.
If the Steelers would have scored more then this wouldn’t be an issue either would it? Both teams fought and clawed for the whole game. Both teams had good and bad plays. That’s the game of football.
I’m obviously a Miami Dolphins fan and I’m pissed about this call. It was a fumble. Pure and simple. A Dolphins player came up with the ball. Pure and Simple. That was all evident and even the commentators were stating it.
If the Dolphins get the fumble and start on their 20 does it guarantee a win? No. If the Dolphins take the ball and go score with the time left do they win? Probably. But the bottom line is that it’s a bad call that led directly to points.
I’m not going to say a fix is in. Everyone has to be honest and admit the truth. Both ben and an OLineman claimed to have possession of the ball. ben said he let go when they said TD. The olineman stated he never let it go. All the Dolphins have stated the guy with the ball was the one who had it. They also claim a ref said “White ball” more than once and one player stated that the line judge told him 59 had the ball. No response from the league on that one. Bad call. It sucks for the team and their fans.

By: Steelerschick43

Steelerschick43 — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:27:55 +0000

overkil2 says:
October 25, 2010 9:56 AM
The rule needs to be looked at and changed. If the ball come loose around the endzone, the refs should see who comes up with it.
Btw, wtf is that ref doing calling a TD when he was not in the position to see the ball cross the line. Ben’s back was blocking his view.
Fins had lots of opportunities to put the game away and they didn’t, but that doesn’t make that call hurt any less.
I didn’t know Waanstadt was coaching again. The playcalling was terrible. When the Fins got the ball back with 2+ mins, why run the ball up the middle? Throw the ball 10-15 yards up the middle instead. Fricken idiots.
Henne looked pretty good. I was sad to see the ref give the Steelers that INT at the end of the game. Oh well. Shit happens.
——————————————-
It would not have mattered whether they gave Harrsion the INT or not..it was 4th down and your guy dropped the ball so it would not have mattered anyway.
I dont think the Steelers play calling was much better either…I think Redman should have been running more than Mendy since they seemed to stop him more…both teams had alot of missed opportunities, game should not have been that close for either team. I hate to win a game with controversial plays like that..cheapens our win but it’s out of our hands..on to next week!

By: Steelerschick43

Steelerschick43 — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:05:42 +0000

Perhaps the Fins should have taken advantage of the 2 turnovers you had…but you didn’t. Stop whining plus as soon as they signaled “TD” when Ben went in the play was over so it didn’t really matter who had the ball..Ben said he had it in his arms and the Miami had his hands on it so who really knows???? Refs go by the rule book, so where is the fault??? Im so sick of people saying the Steelers always cheat and the refs always win for us. We have been cheated many times but do you hear the fans whining about it?? No we don’t. We take the loss and move on.
We have fought hard this season even harder when we didn’t have Ben…tell me the refs game us anything while Ben was gone…please people quit whinning and move on!!!

By: overkil2

overkil2 — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:56:46 +0000

The rule needs to be looked at and changed. If the ball come loose around the endzone, the refs should see who comes up with it.
Btw, wtf is that ref doing calling a TD when he was not in the position to see the ball cross the line. Ben’s back was blocking his view.
Fins had lots of opportunities to put the game away and they didn’t, but that doesn’t make that call hurt any less.
I didn’t know Waanstadt was coaching again. The playcalling was terrible. When the Fins got the ball back with 2+ mins, why run the ball up the middle? Throw the ball 10-15 yards up the middle instead. Fricken idiots.
Henne looked pretty good. I was sad to see the ref give the Steelers that INT at the end of the game. Oh well. Shit happens.