Is the NFL protecting the Patriots?
In the wake of their heart breaking 27-24 loss to the undefeated Patriots Monday night, several Raven players are complaining that the referees took verbal jabs at them at the end of the game. Some players even insinuated that the league wants to see the Patriots win in order to sell tickets.
“It is what it is. They put the crown on top of them. They want them to win. They won. The refs, they’re horrible. That’s the bottom line,” the Ravens’ Chris McAlister said.
“That’s the NFL for you man. When they got a guy like that that’s selling a lot of tickets. you want to keep him selling tickets. They’re the best. Make them prove it. That’s all I say. Don’t help them make the play. Let em make it,” Baltimore’s Terrell Suggs said.
“We got the ref in one of our player’s faces calling him a boy,” the Ravens’ Bart Scott said. “What’s that all about?”
Said Rolle: “Call me a boy like more than five times. … You don’t call a grown man with a wife and three kids a boy.”Said Baltimore’s Derrick Mason: “You should have heard some of the verbal blasts we were taking from the refs. It was just despicable.”
There’s no question that the Patriots received some lucky breaks Monday night, but to go as far as to say that the league sets it up that way is a bit absurd. Some players and fans are always quick to point out that certain teams get special treatment when they’re winning. Maybe that’s true, maybe it isn’t, but the in regards to last night, the Ravens should look in the mirror first when placing blame for losing.
Baltimore had New England on the ropes for three quarters last night. Kyle Boller was playing very well, Willis McGahee was terrorizing the Patriots and the defense was aggressive. Then all of a sudden, Brian Billick took the pedal off the gas, Boller made a bad decision on an interception and NE got back into the ballgame. It wasn’t the refs’ faults that the Ravens’ sideline called time out after the defense had Tom Brady stuffed on 4th and 1 at the end of the game. It wasn’t the refs’ faults that Ed Reed had a great return after intercepting Brady close to halftime, yet fumbled it back to the Patriots and therefore possibly costing the Ravens more points.
The Ravens had several chances to win that game last night and didn’t. And those chances weren’t all thwarted by the refs.
Shut up Ravens….you were all dancing around like you just won the super bowl and forget the game was still going. The Ravens are awful and that goes for the the convict in the middle.
The coaches also live in la la land. Who called the time out? Why don’t the players go after that guy.
The Patriots are good, they are focused, they don’t panic and the Ref’s have nothing to do with it.
Q: Which undefeated team plays its final game of the season on the NFL Network against the NY Giants?
A: New England Patriots
Q: What will fans do on the last Saturday night of the season if the Patriots are still undefeated but they can’t watch the game because the NFL Network can’t come to agreements with various cable carriers?
A: Call en mass and complain that they want the NFL Network included in their cable package, forcing the carriers to make the deal.
Q: Who owns the NFL Network?
A: The same league that pays the refs.
You’re talking about the league that forces fans to buy tickets for 2 preseason at the regular season price as part of their season ticket package. When it comes to money, the NFL stops at virtually nothing.
T-Bone, I think the good Dr hit the nail on the head …..The Ravens were partying way before the game was over, and the Brady’s never layed down.
If I didn’t have the NFL network, and really wanted to see the game, I’d head over to Bar Louie.
Ahh Dawg Nugent. That would be a great place to watch a game but the “atmosphere” might be a little distracting and I tend to tip way too much there.
The NFL network and the Directv NFL Sunday TIcket deal are other examples of the league caring more about money than their fans so I really put nothing past them.
I listened to the Packers/Dallas game on the radio. The NFL network can blow me. I pay enough for freaking television already.
IF the Ravens have real complaints of the officiating (and I have a beef or two myself) they should make the complaints through the proper avenue. The quotes above sound like they’re whining.