The drama continues for the NFL as Saints fans, players, and coaches are still upset a missed call on Saints WR Tommylee Lewis in a game where the Saints were leading 13-0. Here is where things get interesting.
In the latest twist to the simmering controversy from last Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, there is some concern in league circles about the NFL’s judgment in allowing four game officials who live in Southern California to work the game between the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints, league sources told ESPN.
Those same four officials — all with long ties to Southern California — were the ones most responsible for the non-call on Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman’s early, helmet-to-helmet hit on Saints wide receiver Tommylee Lewisthat was widely viewed as pass interference. The league admitted to the Saints that it “f—ed up the call,” according to sources.
Bad calls happen all the time, seems like a reach read this.
The Saints and other officials not involved in the game do not believe that these officials’ geographical ties influenced their non-call, according to sources. Officiating assignments are communicated to clubs on Monday, and there were no complaints from either the Rams or Saints in advance, according to a league source.
This kinda makes you think if you’re are a Saints fan.
Referee Bill Vinovich, who led the game’s officiating crew, lives in Newport Beach, California. Down judge Patrick Turner, whose primary responsibility was to follow Lewis on the blown call from start to finish, lives in Lakewood, California, in Los Angeles County.
Side judge Gary Cavaletto, whose job was to initially watch outside receiver Dan Arnold before shifting his focus once the ball was thrown to Lewis, lives in Santa Barbara, California. Back judge Todd Prukop, who was stationed in the end zone as an extra set of eyes on the controversial play, lives in Mission Viejo, California.
The Saints declined comment when contacted by ESPN, but others did not.
The only way I would even put any weight in this conspiracy is if they did some sort of study on the officials and where they live or where they are from and cross-reference to the number of questionable calls vs. opponents that they have ties to vs. just questionable calls any other time. If there is any correlation then we can have a conversation, but until then it’s time to move on. Follow me on the Twitter @SBReports706.