Ref Called Out
October 28th, 2019
Costly whistle.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Joe understands there would have been almost four minutes left in the game for the Titans to answer.
But don’t try to tell Joe that 76-yard(ish) fumble return for a touchdown that was blown dead by the zebras yesterday didn’t hurt the Bucs. It was likely fatal.
Brett Kern, the Titans punter/placekicking holder, tried to run left on a fake field goal attempt and was splashed by Devin White. The ball was clearly out and Andrew Adams had what looked to be a critical scoop-and-score.
Nope. Inadvertent whistle. This time, unlike the Saints, it was the Bucs’ turn to get hosed.
In his weekly column for Pro Football Talk, hot dog eating contest-protesting, mock draft-scowling, L.L. Bean-wearing, Second Amendment abolitionist, Mike Florio-arguing, parrot-insensitive, chewing-with-his-mouth-open, soup-gulping, California train-romancing, anti-football proliferation, outhouse-admiring, airline-napping, steerage-flying, Yogi Berra-worshiping, urinal picture-taking, video game-playing, Taylor Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, craft beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training, Budweiser-tolerant, baseball scorecard-keeping social activist Peter King of NBC Sports went off on the zebra responsible for that call, labeling him “Goat of the Week.”
(“Goat of the Week” does not mean GOAT. It means you are worthless like Sabby the Goat.)
David Oliver, down judge, Tampa Bay-Tennessee game. We’ve been over this quite a few times—when in doubt, officials have been told time and again to let the play go to its conclusion, even if they think the ballcarrier might have been down. On Sunday, such a play might have enabled the wrong team to win in Nashville. With 3:45 left at Tennessee, nursing a 27-23 lead, the Titans, with the ball at the Bucs’ 28, lined up for a 46-yard field goal try. Taking the snap, holder Brett Kern rose and starting running around left end. A fake. Tampa Bay’s Devin White stopped him cold with a brutal hit, and the ball popped loose as Kern fell; it was definitely out before he hit the ground. Anthony Adams of the Bucs picked up the fumble and returned it 72 yards for an apparent touchdown. But Oliver, as you see on replay, is seen waving his arms over his head, signaling the end of the play. Instead of Tampa Bay going ahead then, the Bucs took possession at the 28 but couldn’t score on their final two possessions either. Oliver is a good official, and he clearly looked to see if Kern got the two yards and when it was clear he didn’t, Oliver assumed Kern hit the ground and was down. It cost the Bucs seven points and quite possibly their third win.
How important was that call? Joe thinks their will be changes to the team as a result.
Bucs fans should be hungover this morning with a smile on their faces, looking forward to the Bucs taking on the Seahawks.
Instead, at 2-5, Bucs fans are already reading mock drafts for next spring, a proud pre-Halloween Tampa Bay ritual. The team should be in full-blown draft mode right now. The team should be shopping players for draft picks this morning. The team should be responsible, not near-sighted and irresponsible the way Bucco Bruce Arians vowed not to think about the future because he thinks he could croak before next season.
That blown call yesterday very well could cost some people their jobs. And if that happens, if a referee costs people their jobs because of his mistake, cost people their livelihoods, they should never work an NFL game again.
Yes, that is how important yesterday’s game was.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:05 am
Saw the play several times…..I have a slight suspicious that call was done on purpose…….Ref had a clear position to see that titans player lost the ball……Stupid to repeat down by contact……..
October 28th, 2019 at 11:05 am
Maybe I’m a negative person… but I don’t want to win that game with a punter fumbling on a fake. We did not deserve to win that game, even with time of possession and amount of yard/first downs we got… Winning that game would just reinforce that the talent/play-calling/discipline of this team is acceptable and it IS NOT.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:05 am
That said, yeah it was a bad call/whistle.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:06 am
One of many stupid plays yesterday. One by the refs, many by the Bucs.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:08 am
Bucs fans should be used to it, we get hosed like this every week.
Wasn’t it just 2 weeks ago when we were screwed over on that obvious fumble recovery?
SOS with this team, every year.
Offense has actually regressed under BA and BL, instead of improving. Let that sink in for a moment.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:11 am
That play should cost the Ref his job
October 28th, 2019 at 11:11 am
In the words of Evita Perone….don’t cry for me Argentina
Good football teams don’t need excuses, just good coaching….and players
Peace, out ..
October 28th, 2019 at 11:12 am
More excuses for the most embarrassing sports franchise on planet earth….
October 28th, 2019 at 11:17 am
I can’t even get excited for the draft if Licht is still here.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:17 am
Really the season is over gtfo with that loser mentality
October 28th, 2019 at 11:18 am
Im irritated that we wasted a timeout challenging a pi call, was Arians advised he should challenge it? We could have used an extra time out at the end of the game.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:18 am
Blown call, mixed extra point/field goal record 4-3 instead of 2-5. It’s a Bucs life, smh
October 28th, 2019 at 11:23 am
A blown call yes, but putting ourselves in that position is our own fault.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:33 am
I’m with LordCornelius. Licht cannot be allowed to draft another player for this team.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:41 am
A win yesterday would have been nice but completely irrelevant. I’ve been predicting 6-10 since the draft but that doesn’t matter either. This season win or lose has been about one thing and one thing only. This season has only been about answering the question on Jameis Winston. This team was never going to seriously contend for a playoff spot despite what Bonzai, Todd, and the rest of the Pollyannas were declaring during training camp. If the Bucs won yesterday on that fumble recovery we’d still have the same questions about Winston, his consistency, and his accuracy. Take away the two INTs yesterday and Jay-Miss’ accuracy is still at 51%. His completion percentage on the season is 58%. That’s Josh Freeman territory. You can’t win with a QB that is inaccurate.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:41 am
I can’t get excited for the draft knowing that Licht still has a hand in scouting if not the final say. This experiment with Arians as head coach and Leftwich getting on the job training is looking like an utter failure. I haven’t been this down on this team since the early 90’s. Truly pathetic.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:44 am
They hire ref’s because of their experience and back ground. Quite a few have law degree’s. I find in interesting that we expect people in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s to have the best calls of judgment. No to mention the best vision or mental reaction time. It’s easy to say from the couch watching the instant replay but this is the NFL. The players have a combine, why arent the refs sent packing when they get X number of calls wrong. Seems to only make sense if we want the best calls on the field.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:45 am
Nothing new here. Davis’ DPI call were wrong on one, too. Still this horse manure with the zebs has been going down for decades. The crappy BA offensive (PU) play calling is what caused this loss.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:47 am
Doesn’t matter, we still need a QB next draft.
October 28th, 2019 at 11:57 am
The NFL does not want the Bucs to win, so we don’t.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:01 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
October 28th, 2019 at 11:57 am
The NFL does not want the Bucs to win, so we don’t.
you say some of the dumbest things man but this is right up there…. the bucs don’t win because they SUCK, have a crap roster, owners are apathetic scum and the coaching staff has more mummies than men…. this fan base prefers to make excuses than accept reality…..
October 28th, 2019 at 12:01 pm
There is NO excuse for this. Let it play out you dope!
October 28th, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Fake news Joe. The real reason we lost: getting shut out in the forth qtr. along with the two first half turnovers.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:06 pm
Was he the same ref that blew the pass interference call on Davis the previous drive?
October 28th, 2019 at 12:12 pm
The refs were blatantly one sided yesterday, I don’t believe I saw the Titans O-line called for holding once, also there was a kick return I saw where Justin Watson was double team blocked which is a penalty now that they didn’t call, complete BS.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Can we please move on from this!! Yes, this “ONE” play could have been the difference in the ball game, but how many plays did we screw up on way before this happened. Let’s stop looking for excuses or someone to blame because we’re an undisciplined heartless, inconsistent and weak team. I’m truly not being a pessimist, but the Buccaneers as a whole organization just doesn’t get it. Maybe its Lichts fault, I don’t know, but it sure as hell seems like no matter who or what coaches they bring in here, you get nothing but the same damn results. All I know is, as a fan for over 20 years…..I’m just fed up!!
October 28th, 2019 at 12:16 pm
Brandon
i told you for months this was going to happen and you were all butt hurt…. I accept your apology……. this franchise has no hope nor intentions to compete at a nfl level… licht’s extension before the season proves the glazers are content…. owners who hold their employees accountable would have made BA and his little buddy licht prove their worth this season before extending licht…. glazers have no intentions of ever fielding a winner.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:16 pm
I used to get mad at the refs…then i grew up. The team that plays better wins 99% of the time. No exception yesterday. Until we get some smarter players in here its gona be the same ole.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:17 pm
bucfans are just going to have to continue living in the past clinging to one year wonders who won a fluke championship and nothing else.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Team will never get a break by refs and NFL until entire franchise is sold.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:29 pm
SOEbuc Says:
October 28th, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Team will never get a break by refs and NFL until entire franchise is sold.
it’s never won regardless of owners why would new owners guarantee change… please enlighten me sir… this franchise had 1 good year under mckay and then the fluke championship so it’s not like they have ever won consistently…. dungy the clowns teams never stood a chance in the post season 2 playoff wins in six years proves that… you just need to wish the london bucs good luck and hope they turn it around there.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:31 pm
That was not the end of the game
Flush this giant turd.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:32 pm
Leonard Williams was dealt for a 3rd round draft pick? Geezus…5-11
October 28th, 2019 at 12:33 pm
The call was blown….pure and simple….and it did matter……blown calls should not affect the outcome of a game but it seems to happen quite often….
It’s not an excuse….but it is one of the reasons we lost.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:37 pm
And just like the Analyst’s, they put the worst refs in the worst games lol.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:40 pm
The solution to one bad ref call? Play BETTER for the other 59 minutes and 45 seconds!!! No way should have lost to the Titans. If you want to see a REAL bad call watch the tape for the 4th and 1 Peyton Barber handoff up the middle.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:46 pm
A lot of money at stake on one persons decision. There needs to be an applied statistical approach on determining the right call. Like baseball is replacing the umps with a strike zone box the NFL needs to do the same with its refs. Or at least put a system in place to help mitigate human error. These refs are costing the Bucs WINS!
October 28th, 2019 at 12:52 pm
Still irrelevant since the “brilliant” move of firing Gruden.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:54 pm
It was clearly a bad call, especially in light of the new “emphasis” on letting plays finish and not going to a quick whistle.
The only slack I can cut the ref was it was the punter/holder who got legally but TOTALLY clocked by Devin White. Perhaps the violence just scared the ref into immediately stopping the play to make sure the punter was still alive and kicking..(yeah pun intended) As an aside I’m very pleased that both White and Whitehead can lower the boom legally.
Whatever it was just ONE play as someone posted.
THREE plays I CANNOT get over. The snap into JW’s grill and lost fumble…the int..sorry BA but hard for me to believe that Godwin who NEVER quits…quit on that route!!!!! He was definitely waaaay short as in 20 yards…perhaps a true miscommunication of route trees…or a bad overthrow by JW.
It doesn’t matter…put the fumble and the int with the infamous Breshard tackle of our own RB….who btw had a clear lane to the end zone before he was literally blindsided…
Those three plays have DESTROYED my confidence in BA and his ENTIRE STAFF…ENOUGH IS ENOUGH…THOSE THREE PLAYS WEREN’T WORTHY OF NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL!!!!
Our coaching is ATROCIOUS!!! WE were NOT prepared for that game. We do not execute well. The coaches need to man up and take the heat and stop making excuses for ANYBODY and that includes the fragile ego of JW!!!
October 28th, 2019 at 12:56 pm
Ref missed acouple calls. Bucs still had a shot.
Leftwhich called a bad 4th qtr.
October 28th, 2019 at 12:59 pm
I agree with many… Can’t even get excited about the draft when Licht is making the picks. He’s taken that from us as well.
#lichtmyb**ls
October 28th, 2019 at 1:06 pm
The refs were probably just trying to do us a favor, another meaningless win wont help us get a premium draft pick next year.
October 28th, 2019 at 1:08 pm
That play amounted to official strong armed robbery and was the big reason the Bucs lost. Stealth right in your face.
October 28th, 2019 at 1:28 pm
To many NFL games in the past few years can be directly related to the refs blowing a call or two and costing the games. Personally, I have stopped watching all NFL games with the exception of the Bucs (even though that is painful) because I was getting tired of seeing the yellow flags thrown every other play. It is freaking annoying how much the refs intervene in today’s NFL.
October 28th, 2019 at 1:52 pm
SPBF
Certainly the highlight of the game for me was seeing that our 1st round pick, generational talent DWhite could really plaster…a kicker.
On the other hand, props to him for shooting that gap and making the tackle. The rest of the day Lavonte was telling him where to be and when, and he ran around in circles post snap…mostly.
October 28th, 2019 at 1:53 pm
ElioT
You still starting a go fund me for billboards?
I’m really close to donating.
October 28th, 2019 at 1:59 pm
@tmaxcon
I saw you quoted me, but didn’t read what you said. It matters that much.
October 28th, 2019 at 2:05 pm
The NFL should get a thousand or more letters from we pitiful Bucs fans. Start with the season schedule and how that was even considered as a final sked? –put this team in a hole to start with. Then, there have been several questionable calls against us in 7 weeks. One f’n prime time game, no Sunday nighter. NFL hates the Bucs and stick it to them every time….
October 28th, 2019 at 2:26 pm
The Titans were getting calls all day just as every Bucs opponent does. I guess the thinking is well those Buc fans are used to losing whats one more call against them who cares?????
October 28th, 2019 at 3:20 pm
Cmon people
That call did not cost us the game. Not being able to gain a yard, two to’s in the red zone, etc.etc cost us the game.
Seriously? Letters to the NFL?
We suck enough, without being called the Tampa Bay Crybabies
October 28th, 2019 at 6:24 pm
It’s really simple. The refs are crooked and bet on the games. They can control the outcome and it boosts their earnings off the books. That POS ref should be fired today along with the head official. The rate of the leader determines the rate of the pack and Goodell is a lethargic slug. The majority of owners don’t care because they get the calls. They get what they want while a handful of teams get hosed year in and year out. Like the clothesline hit to Jameis’ head, no call. Brady would have got that call. The two yard out of bounds push on Jameis, no call. Brady would have got that call too. These stupid refs ruin our season every year. The NFL doesn’t care and the Glazers are wimps who won’t do anything about it. A man with purpose constitutes a majority.
October 28th, 2019 at 6:58 pm
Brandon Says:
October 28th, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Can we please move on from this!! Yes, this “ONE” play could have been the difference in the ball game, but how many play….
_________________
First of all, who the eff is this guy? That is not me, I didn’t know there could be duplicate posting names on here. Change your name, dude.
Tmac, that isn’t me and when you do address me you address me as SIR, YOUR HIGHNESS, or MASTER.
October 28th, 2019 at 7:59 pm
Don’t blow the whistle that’s what the turnover review system is for.
October 29th, 2019 at 9:13 am
Forget the Zebras!!!!!!!
THE BUCS REALIST WAS RIGHT!!!!!!!
We are just BAAAAAAAD!
Lol
October 29th, 2019 at 11:04 am
The refs are single handedly ruining the game I love so much. .