I heard that “the League” said the no-call on the pick play was correct because the defensive player initiated contact.

Steelers should have challenged the Conner touchdown.

Probably should. I guess Tomlin thought they’d punch it in.

Not sure how you can knock Marvin for clock management on this one... What were they supposed to do, not score?

 

When they scored, though, I told my buddy I was watching with it was way too much time. 1:20 and three timeouts is a life time, especially only needing a field goal.

 

Bengals only chance after scoring was getting a turnover. Heck, 30 seconds with 3 timeouts for that offense might be too much time.

Steelers sure didn't look like they missed Bell yesterday. Conner with another solid day. How many years does he have left on his contract?

I heard that “the League” said the no-call on the pick play was correct because the defensive player initiated contact.

 

Yes, Al Riveron (sp?), head of officials, put out a video review saying just that.

Steelers sure didn't look like they missed Bell yesterday. Conner with another solid day. How many years does he have left on his contract?

 

I was impressed with Conner. He is one determined RB. He has overcome a lot in his life. He had Hodgkin's Lymphoma while at Pitt.

I heard that “the League” said the no-call on the pick play was correct because the defensive player initiated contact.

 

It was pretty clear the defensive back initiated contact after looking at the replay once.

Anybody mention the helmet cleanup Burfict put on Antonio Brown? Even though missed by game officials (that are always watching Dontaze), I will be surprised if there is not some form of discipline coming down from the league.

It was pretty clear the defensive back initiated contact after looking at the replay once.

 

It is not clear who made the initial contact, IMO. Thus. I believe the "no call".

Anybody mention the helmet cleanup Burfict put on Antonio Brown? Even though missed by game officials (that are always watching Dontaze), I will be surprised if there is not some form of discipline coming down from the league.

 

Sounds like the league are looking at a few of his players and will potentially be giving him a couple fines.

Boswell has missed EVERY field goal over 40 yds this year, might’ve been a good idea to make him kick it instead of zero blitz???

I heard that “the League” said the no-call on the pick play was correct because the defensive player initiated contact.

 

Yes, Al Riveron (sp?), head of officials, put out a video review saying just that.

 

It was pretty clear the defensive back initiated contact after looking at the replay once.

 

It is not clear who made the initial contact, IMO. Thus. I believe the "no call".

 

It is always easier looking in slow motion versus real time. However, when you watch this video, there is zero doubt it is a pick play.

 

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Here is what I see:

 

1. The contact is initiated by the Steeler WR #11 Hunter. He takes a step to the middle to impede McCrea's path to cover Brown. Freeze the picture where the first contact happens and you can see #11 steps to impede McCrae's path to cover Brown.

 

2. First contact occurs more than one yard off the line. Line of scrimmage was the 31. McCrae never got closer than the 30. Hunter first made contact across the 30. If contact is initiated more than one yard off the line it is a pick play.

 

3. Hunter maintains his block almost 5 yards downfield. He continues to block McCrae from getting to Brown even extending his arm and pushing McCrae 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. Of all the things in the play that is the most blatant and obvious action that should have cause a flag.

 

Even the most biased Steeler fan has to admit that the play is a designed pick play. The trick is trying to execute it in a way that the refs don't call the pick. I am amazed any NFL ref looks at that play and does not see a pick.

McCrae was on the Bengals show last night and admitted he messed up. He said it was a pick play. He said the Bengals knew the Steelers would run that play. They practiced against it during the week. McCrae was supposed to play inside technique and instead was head up on Brown and outside of Hunter. That allowed Hunter to step between McCrae and Brown and keep McCrae from getting to Brown to cover him.

It is always easier looking in slow motion versus real time. However, when you watch this video, there is zero doubt it is a pick play.

 

Twitter

 

Here is what I see:

 

1. The contact is initiated by the Steeler WR #11 Hunter. He takes a step to the middle to impede McCrea's path to cover Brown. Freeze the picture where the first contact happens and you can see #11 steps to impede McCrae's path to cover Brown.

 

2. First contact occurs more than one yard off the line. Line of scrimmage was the 31. McCrae never got closer than the 30. Hunter first made contact across the 30. If contact is initiated more than one yard off the line it is a pick play.

 

3. Hunter maintains his block almost 5 yards downfield. He continues to block McCrae from getting to Brown even extending his arm and pushing McCrae 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. Of all the things in the play that is the most blatant and obvious action that should have cause a flag.

 

Even the most biased Steeler fan has to admit that the play is a designed pick play. The trick is trying to execute it in a way that the refs don't call the pick. I am amazed any NFL ref looks at that play and does not see a pick.

 

No one is arguing whether or not it was a pick play. Of course it was. Teams run similar plays 10-15 times a game. Nobody cares unless it’s a scoring okay.

 

Watching the video in the link you provided, the DB extends his arms to the WR first to intiate contact. The second that happenes, it negates any flag you could throw for a pick. He (the DB) should have kept his hands off the receiver and maybe it would have been called.