“1/26/07
League official admits: a bad call was made Kyle Psaty Rewind to the third quarter of last Sunday’s AFC Championship game, when Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs was flagged for pass interference.

It’s a second-and-seven play on the Patriots 19-yard line. Peyton Manning sets up behind center, checks the coverage and calls for the
snap. He takes a three step drop and fires the football into the end zone, aimed for wideout Reggie Wayne, who’s given Ellis Hobbs the slip
and is streaking down the sideline for a touchdown catch.

But Hobbs stays with the Colts No. 2 receiver. He closes on Wayne, chopping his feet to avoid bumping into the wideout, a sure penalty
since his back is to the passer. Wayne’s eyes widen, indicating the ball is on its way. Free from contact, Hobbs jumps up but doesn’t turn
to look for the football, which strikes Hobbs’ left biceps from behind and falls to the turf dead.

Penalty flags fly, and referee Bill Carollo turns on his mic to let everyone know that the penalty’s on the Defense. Automatic first down. The ball will be placed at the 1-yard line. Manning hits former Patriot Dan Klecko for a 1-yard touchdown pass. A two-point conversion
follows, tying it 21-21.

Face-guarding, said CBS analyst and former Giants quarterback Phil Simms during the replay. Ellis Hobbs jumps up, just tries to get in
the way of Reggie Wayne. Does not see the football. Does not play it. Easy call.

Not so, according to replay official Dean Blandino, who joined Bob Boylston in the booth that day.

In a recent posting by Vic Ketchman, Jaguars.com senior editor, Ketchman responded to a fan’s posting about the play, writing, “You are absolutely correct. Face-guarding was discontinued several years ago and I completely missed it.”

Apparently, Ketchman had already responded to questions about the play, attributing the call to face-guarding just like Simms and countless
fans across the nation who tuned in to watch the most viewed AFC Championship game in over 20 years. There is no NFL rule against face-guarding.

I talked to Dean Blandino in the league office and he confirmed what you’re saying, wrote Ketchman. Ellis Hobbs should not have been
flagged for pass-interference. He didn’t make contact with the receiver and in no way did Hobbs impede Reggie Wayne’s ability to catch the pass. Blandino confirmed that the incorrect call was made. Referee Bill Carollo made no reference to face-guarding in his explanation, but
CBS analyst Phil Simms did. Apparently, he, too, doesn’t know the rule no longer exists. The next time you hear a TV analyst say, “he wasn’t
playing the ball,” think of the Hobbs play, then turn down the sound.”

Still, that was one minor part of a game that the Pats could have and should have won a few times over, but we just couldn’t execute, and the Colts could, so they’re going on to the Big Game as they should be.

Yo, Dude…Face guarding is not pass interference in the PROS! There was no contact on the play.

You got a gift….But, having said that congrats, good game and good luck

I’m still cracking up at all the images.

Of course, if they went for one, and the Patriots scored again, then the Colts would *still* need to either convert a 2-point try or score twice. But the wisdom of Phil transcends such mundane considerations.

I can understand the logic behind waiting until the end of the game to go for 2, because a missed extra point can always come back to haunt you. But it was the late 3rd quarter, the Colts had the momentum, and they had a chance to tie the game. It was a smart gamble by Dungy, and it paid off.

Also, I was thinking the same thing about the media and Dungy/Smith, but a tip of my hat to you for thinking of the Kirk/Spock analogy. My inner nerd stands impressed.