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Bonvissuto_dom
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Reggie-bush
Reggie Bush, Chris Bennett/NewOrleansSaints.com

 

The Saints couldn't do anything about an obvious facemask penalty the refs missed in Monday night's game against the Vikings -- that's not a challenge-able infraction. So they did the next best thing -- feature a picture of the blown call on the front page of their Web site. From ProFootballTalk.com:

With no mention of the fact that a penalty flag wasn’t thrown, the Saints have pasted on their official web site a photo of Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway grabbing the mask of Saints running back Reggie Bush.

To follow up, Los Angeles Times reporter Sam Farmer called the Saints for an explanation. From the L.A. Times:

I called the Saints about it this morning, and they said it was the highest-resolution shot they had of Bush, who returned two punts for touchdowns in the 30-27 loss.

After having the picture on the front page of their Web site, under the Multimedia tab, for most of the day, the Saints have finally taken it down and replaced it with a different image of Reggie Bush.

• Saints Call Attention To Blown Call (ProFootballTalk.com)

• Check out this hanging Chad (Los Angeles Times)

• New Orleans Saints official Web site (NewOrleansSaints.com)

October 7, 2008  05:30 PM ET

The saints had a string of miscues coupled with bad luck. That call didn't lose the game, but it sure didn't help.

October 7, 2008  05:40 PM ET

Just because Greenwood tugged on Reggie Bush's face mask doesn't mean he should let go of the ball.

October 7, 2008  05:48 PM ET

I agree that Reggie should not have fumbled, but come on. That face mask was obvious from a mile away, just look at the picture.. It turned his helmet. Another blown call by Ed Hocculi and crew.. I used to be a fan of Hocculi but I really do not want his crew reffing any playoff games this year. First the Denver call, then the Juliius Peppers call, and now this missed one call. Not good Ed.

October 7, 2008  05:49 PM ET

There are blown calls in every game, some work for you and some don't. The Saints need to get over it and move on.

October 7, 2008  05:57 PM ET

Ed Hocculi needs to be let go by the NFL. He continues to blow game-changing calls. And now he's become gun-shy. Did you hear his lenthy explanations every time he called a penalty in the Saints-Vikings game? He sounds like he's afraid of being second-guessed. Time to go back to lawyering, Ed. Probably make more money, anyway.

October 7, 2008  06:01 PM ET

Actually, the fumble would have never happened had the face-mask not be committed. If you watch the replay, you'll see that the face-mask slowed down Reggie enough that the Vike got his hand on the ball.

October 7, 2008  06:12 PM ET

You're right Dave. However, it turns the momentum of the game from a 15 yards personal foul to a viking possession. The face mask was too darn obvious for a no penalty. To be honest, when i saw Mr. ED i said oh SHI.....................OT

October 7, 2008  06:19 PM ET
QUOTE(#5):

Ed Hocculi needs to be let go by the NFL. He continues to blow game-changing calls. And now he's become gun-shy. Did you hear his lenthy explanations every time he called a penalty in the Saints-Vikings game? He sounds like he's afraid of being second-guessed. Time to go back to lawyering, Ed. Probably make more money, anyway.

Ed has always given long explanations about his calls. Nothing new there. He's still a good ref. Just having a bad stretch.

October 7, 2008  06:24 PM ET

Hoculi is NOT a good referee. He is a disgrace to all of organized sports - and if he had an ounce of honor would quit immediately. Let's keep in mind that this was NOT his only bad call. There was also the reception - where he was overturned on review, the fumble - clearly a fumble - where he tried the lame - "the ball was moving away but ..." trailing to nothing ... and of course the spearing that occured later with no call.
I hate to agree with Jerry Jones (of Dallas Cowboy infamy) but Hoculi is probably the worst referee in the NFL.
FIRE HIM NOW!

October 7, 2008  06:28 PM ET

Mistakes happen. Calls get missed. Life goes on. To post it like they did comes off like sour grapes & looks like their making excuses.

October 7, 2008  06:31 PM ET

Football players win or lose football games. Officials do not tackle, pass, fumble or intercept. Fans and coaches need to focus on the play of their team. Calls and no calls are part of the game and never ultimately decide the outcome of a game. I agree there are critical calls/no calls and the crew is graded down for every incorrect call. But to say that an official with the experience level and competence of Ed Hochuli should be fired is the height of ignorance of how the game is played and officiated.

October 7, 2008  06:40 PM ET

So, what is the big deal. The refs didn't see it , or they certainly would have called it ...You can't call wht you don't see. Do you want to replay every play in the booth. They got beat...

October 7, 2008  06:43 PM ET

It's not Hochuli's job to watch the ball in that instance. He's the referee and is responsible for watching the offensive line and any possible cheap shots to the quarterback. The other officials on the field are the ones that blew the call.

October 7, 2008  06:48 PM ET

LOL, a Broncos fan defending Hochuli

October 7, 2008  06:50 PM ET

You have all lost sight of the most important aspect of these missed calls... they are costing people valuable fantasy football points.

October 7, 2008  06:52 PM ET

Interesting discourse! Every post had some validity. We live by statistics. Question: is there a method to (quantitatively) measure referee performance? I have never seen "stats" on officials, but I would imagine they are ranked and noted inn performance by various NFL powers. Maybe like life itself, there are times with many great refs and others with few, and maybe that is what we are seeing.

October 7, 2008  06:54 PM ET

You can't blame Hochuli for the call on bush. That call should have been made by a back judge or the sideline ref who was a few feet away of what happened. People need to give the man a break on a bad call and stop blaming him for every bad call in future games. What lost N.O. the game was the 10 + penlaties for over 100 yards, 2 missed field goals, fumbles in INT's.

October 7, 2008  07:03 PM ET

Yes this was blown call, but in the end the Saints were still in a position to win the game and blew that. Calls are missed all the time, it goes with the territory. Get over it and take care of those things which you can control, like getting a new kicker.

October 7, 2008  07:12 PM ET

All you babies complaining about blown calls. Get over it! Happened to the Vikes when they played Indy, and there were 2 blown calls on the same play!!! 4th and 1, Vikes stopped the rush, caused and recovered fumble. They ruled player down, even though he was still standing, gave a bad spot inside of the 1...giving Indy 1st and goal. Because of the angle, there wasn't enough evidence to overrulle the call! They should put cameras on top of the markers for plays like this!

 
October 7, 2008  07:13 PM ET

All you babies complaining about blown calls. Get over it! Happened to the Vikes when they played Indy, and there were 2 blown calls on the same play!!! 4th and 1, Vikes stopped the rush, caused and recovered fumble. They ruled player down, even though he was still standing, gave a bad spot inside of the 1...giving Indy 1st and goal. Because of the angle, there wasn't enough evidence to overrulle the call! They should put cameras on top of the markers for plays like this!

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