A week after playing flawless football (at least according to the officials; Jim Haslett -- and the rest of the football-viewing public -- disagreed), the Patriots were penalized twice against the Colts. But it was the final flag that proved to be the difference in the game: a personal foul penalty on tight end David Thomas that stalled a decisive fourth quarter drive. More frustrating for the Patriots, though, were the penalties not called. Wideout Randy Moss treaded lightly on the subject during the post-game press conference, and players were still talking around the issue a day later. That's hardly unusual -- it happens every week around the league -- but left tackle Matt Light's comments continue a theme we've heard at various point this season.
Namely: the NFL is over-legislating the game.
After a follow-up question about how frustrating such calls [like the Thomas late-hit penalty] are, Light launched into a diatribe about how the league deals with penalties and players.I couldn't agree more, Matt. The garnish-ying of wages is a union issue, I'm guessing, but the current policy on meting out seemingly arbitrary punishments is all on Commissar Goodell. And I suspect there are people in the league office who, if pressed, would admit that as much. Luckily, Rog will gladly assure anybody naive enough to believe him that every action taken by his minions is in the best interest of players, fans, etc."Look, it's part of the game," said Light. "There are going to be calls that you agree with and some you don't. Unfortunately, I've had to waste a lot of my time dealing with having some type of fine that I have to have and then you have to go back and appeal and then have the appeals process. Then you end up winning those or you lose them.
"So, as a player, you get tired of dealing with the excessive amount of calls that go out there, whether it's on you or not. But when it does happen to you, then you've got to waste your day, file an appeal, then go on a conference call, then waste another hour and a half out of your day. The money is already taken out of your check; it's a done deal. You're tried and found guilty before it's all said and done.
"So, I think those type of things get frustrating. But like I said it's all part of the game. We had a lot of calls that have gone our way and will continue to go our way, and we'll be happy about it. That's the game. I think if we would have made a few more plays and executed a little bit better and finished some of those drives in the red area, we wouldn't be talking about this."
Matt Light, who by all accounts is a smart guy and stand-up citizen, disagrees. I'm sure the league office is hurriedly moving to address these concerns as soon as they continue their battle against the evils of shaking one's moneymaker.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-04-2008 @ 2:02PM
Pezz said...
Do my eye's deceive me, is this actually an article that Ryan Wilson isn't bashing the Patriots. HOLY SHIT !!!! I wont hold my breath, Mr. Wilson will be back on the rag soon enough. Great game Patriots, hold on all you Patriot haters you better strap on your seat belts because the Patriots are comming. What should have been a blow out by the Colts was exactly opposite, if it wasn't for bogus calls, and stupid coaching the Patriots won that game. Hats off to Cassel, great game man. Just remember ........Any give Sunday
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11-04-2008 @ 9:30PM
Thasabsurd said...
Pezz your scum bag team isn't going anywhere on any Sunday for a long long time.
Goodell (AKA jackass of the league) you are an IDIOT commissioner go away and take you freaking cheaters with you Jack ass
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11-06-2008 @ 4:22PM
Jim said...
One week after that disgrace of refereeing a Patriots player is complaining about the officials? A team that when Tom Brady is looked at funny there is a roughing the passer call? Matt, get a grip your team gets all the calls. Dont let it all go to your head remember the best left tackle in your division plays in Buffalo. Know your role.
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11-11-2008 @ 2:26AM
KEN said...
Thasabsurd and the other loser Jim shut the F up you two PATRIOT HATERS just sucks when you can not stand one if not the best team in the NFL for the PAST TEN ( 10 ) years and soon as MR BRADY GETS BACK IN THE FOLD BACK ON TOP AGAIN WOW JUST THINK A HIGH SCHOOL QB AND NO BACKFEILD AND THEY ARE STILL WINNING GAMES AND TEAMS ARE BARLEY BEATIG THEM GRANTED THEY BEEN BLOWN AWAY TWICE BUT HELL WITH ALL THE INJURIES THEY SHOULD BE AND WITH CB'S LIKE DELTA ONIEL I CAN PLAY WR AND GET 4 TO 5 TD'S RECIEVING AND I AM DISABLED VETRAN WHO HAS A BAD BACK NECK AND MY LEGS ARE NOW MESSED UP BADLY THANKS TO GOOD OLE G. BUSH AND SO ARE MANY OTHER AMERICAN YOUNG PEOPLE NOT TO MENTION 4OOO OR SO NEVER TO BE SEEN OR HEARD FROM AGAIN ( RIP TROOPS) YOU SACRIFICE IS NOT AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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