Re: 2009 Green Bay Packers - NFC North the 3-4 way
Welcome to the world the Vikings fans lived in when you had Favre...the officials have always sided with his team (see also: Brady, Tom) especially at home. The rest of the league isnt going to shed tears for you because you have to now experience the same crap we did.
Disclaimer - To be clear, I'm analyzing the officiating from the standpoint of whether it was any good and not whether it made a difference in who won and lost the game. I'm probably fair to a fault when it comes to officiating because I've worked so many games in my life in many different sports. On the flip side, working for the team for many year's I'll just say I've seen too much not to be extremely skeptical, which stinks because it doesn't match up with my largely trusting personality and my love of truly fair competition.
Now, on to some of the things being kicked around. I fully expected penalties if they were getting near him. Unfortunately, the Packers treated him as if he was still on their practice field wearing the traditional red jersey and never made this an issue. Just like I'll point out when my favorite team got hosed, I'll fully admit he got some really weak calls in his favor once he established himself as an elite player. The NFL protects QBs at all costs and it's worse with future Hall of Famers.
I wasn't upset about the penalties called on Packers. Specifically the ones on offense. They were pretty much legit. I know some are upset about the interference call on Woodson, but I've largely given up on these types of issues. Should this be interference in a physical game like professional football? Not a chance, but I don't blame this crew. This is an NFL thing. They want any hint of contact in the secondary called. The NFL is one step away from instituting a penalty for covering to closely, so complaining about secondary penalties is an exercise in futility.
I was just annoyed by what wasn't called on the Vikings. What was and wasn't a hold was completely dependent on which team had the ball. If you think I'm full of crap, check Minnesota's first offensive play if you still have the game on DVR. Peterson ran to the left for about 7 yards. Tramon Williams (#38) was lined up on the slot WR who in the process of blocking grabbed him above the shoulder and had his jersey pulled up so high we saw the bottom half of his back. It was right at the point of attack and as Peterson was near him Williams actually got turned away. In calling a couple of penalties on the Packers during their first offensive series and letting this go right off the bat it really set the tone. It was going to be over one way or another.
Slap Shot, you questioned my statement about who had the pressure last night. It is true they aren't mathematically in control of their own destiny at this point, but it's a long season and I don't think falling 2 games behind is a big deal this early. The pressure was going to be on the home team to hold serve. They didn't want to lose that home game and then go on the road to try and earn a split. They got the win they were expected to get and the pressure now shifts in a big way for next month.
On something unrelated to officiating, has anyone heard any updates on the health of the Vikings' QB? That one time Kampman tackled him semi-gently he could have fallen awkwardly and bruised.
I'm in no way angry or bitter, but I am simply sick of the main subject of last night's game. If he comes back someday to get enshrined in the Packers' Hall of Fame and gets up on the ring of honor, that's fine. If he never sets foot in the state of Wisconsin again and they give #4 to a punter, that's fine as well. I'll make no special effort to attend or avoid any of this. I just hope he goes away as soon as possible because I'm sick of the story and I refuse to join the entire staff at ESPN as they simultaneously kiss his beanbag. I've said this before, but if it was this bad for all of these years I sincerely apologize to fans of other teams who had to endure this circus. My next post will follow shortly and it will be looking forward.
