Tag: Tony Corrente

Report: NFL fully backs taunting call against Bears’ Cassius Marsh

The NFL is standing by Tony Corrente’s taunting call against Bears OLB Cassius Marsh.

The NFL world has been reacting to the abomination that was the officiating in Monday night’s game between the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, particularly how the Bears got the short end of the stick with a slew of questionable calls and no calls.

But just when you think the officiating couldn’t get worse, the NFL apparently has defended one of the most egregious calls of the night — the questionable taunting call on outside linebacker Cassius Marsh.

“The call was the definition of taunting, with the player gesturing toward the sideline and opponent,” a source told The Washington Post‘s Mark Maske.

Let the video do the talking:

There was no gesturing, no taunting involved. Should Marsh have walked toward the Steelers sideline? No. But he also didn’t do anything that would indicate taunting.

Marsh also indicated that official Tony Corrente intentionally hip-checked him before throwing the flag for taunting. According to Maske, the source said the NFL doesn’t consider the allegation legitimate.

No matter how you look at it, Corrente’s crew was responsible for one of the worst officiated games in recent memory. And even though the NFL is choosing to back one of their own, it doesn’t mean it’s the right call.

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Referee Tony Corrente attempts to explain questionable taunting flag on Bears OLB Cassius Marsh

Tony Corrente explained the questionable taunting penalty of Bears OLB Cassius Marsh.

The Chicago Bears lost a heartbreaker to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football, where poor officiating was the storyline of the game.

There were a number of questionable calls against the Bears — who had 12 accepted penalties for 115 yards — but arguably none more puzzling than a phantom taunting call on outside linebacker Cassius Marsh, which led to a Steelers field goal and ultimately decided the game.

Marsh, the former Steeler, sacked quarterback Ben Roethlisberger late in the fourth quarter. He appeared to walk toward the Steelers sideline before turning around and jogging back to the Bears sideline, and he was called for taunting, a call that the entire NFL world was puzzled by.

Official Tony Corrente, who is going to come under a lot of criticism following his unit’s horrid performance, attempted to explain himself.

“I saw the player, after he made a big play, run toward the bench area of the Pittsburgh Steelers and posture in such a way that I felt he was taunting them,” Corrente told Adam Hoge.

When you watch the replay of when Marsh jogged back to the Bears sideline, Corrente appears to hip check Marsh — which Marsh called “inappropriate” — and then proceeded to throw the flag. Corrente denied that the contact contributed to the penalty being called.

“No, not at all,” he said. “I didn’t judge that as anything that I dealt with.”

Really? Because the flag was thrown right after Corrente appeared to hip checked Marsh.

“That had nothing to do with it,” Corrente reiterated. “It was the taunting aspect.”

The new taunting rule has been a controversial one since its implementation in Week 1, and it’s reasons like this — which ultimately gifted the Steelers a field goal and cost the Bears a potential win — why this rule should fall by the wayside after this season.

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NFL fans are livid about poor officiating in Bears’ loss to Steelers

NFL fans, players and analysts alike are frustrated by the poor officiating in the Bears-Steelers game.

The Chicago Bears suffered a heartbreaking 29-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football, where the poor officiating was a top topic of conversation.

While you don’t want to blame refs for a team winning or losing, it was hard to watch the Bears-Steelers game and not come away believing that Tony Corrente and his crew had the worst officiated game of the season — and it wasn’t even close.

Whether it was a blatant no-call roughing the passer penalty on Justin Fields that was called, for much less, for Ben Roethlisberger or a low block call on James Daniels, who never touched anyone, or a taunting call on Cassius Marsh, who was bumped into by an official. And it keeps going. Seriously.

The Bears had 12 accepted penalties for 115 yards, and there are several more questionable calls that still have NFL fans, players and analysts alike frustrated by how the refs continue to decide games.

Cowboys News: Prescott ahead of schedule, Gilbert outplayed Hall of Famers

News and notes for all things Dallas Cowboys on November 10, 2020.

In a season full of strange and stranger things, the Dallas Cowboys finally enter a much-needed bye week with a chance to regroup for the second half of the NFL season. They’ll have time to get some players healthy, though not the ones that matter most, and attempt to put some play on tape that they can be proud of.

Garrett Gilbert started out strong, fizzled in the end but still ranked highly compared to some elite company. Elsewhere, there’s winners and losers, quotes from defenders and a bit of good news regarding the health of Dak Prescott.

Chiefs beneficiaries of forward progress call in Week 4 vs. Patriots

The NFL finally paid the Chiefs back for their bogus forward progress call in the 2017 playoffs.

The Kansas City Chiefs were the beneficiaries of a questionable forward progress call by referee Tony Corrente in Week 4.

In the midst of the second quarter with a three-point lead, it appeared as if Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes fumbled the ball on a sack, turning it over to the New England Patriots. The next sequence of events played out in a confusing manner on the television broadcast.

The fumble would be called dead, Bill Belichick was irate on the sideline and the announcers had no idea what was going on. Kansas City rushed their punt unit on the field. Before you could say “Super Bowl LIV champions” the Chiefs had already punted the ball away.

Following the game, referee Tony Corrente was questioned by reporters about this play. He claimed that the whistle was blown because Mahomes’ forward progress had been stopped.

“I felt that he was being controlled quite a bit prior to him actually going to the ground,” Corrente said following the game according to a pool report. “As he was being controlled, other players were coming in at him. And so with those other players bearing down on him, a quarterback is considered in the grasp, and his forward progress is considered stopped when I feel as though the player’s safety is being jeopardized. And that was the case in this instance. So, rather than allow him to get hit by a second and third player, we shut it down and considered it forward progress at that point.”

Mahomes confirmed after the game that he’d heard the whistle called as he was being brought to the ground. He claimed that he dropped the ball because he knew the whistle had been called. In any event, it looked a whole lot different on television than it played out in the game.

Tony Romo and Jim Nantz suggested during the game that Belichick should have challenged the play, however, in this case, the play wouldn’t have been able to be challenged. It’s a judgment call from the official.

“No, because the play was shut down and stopped prior to the fumble occurring, or prior to him losing control of the football,” Corrente added. “There was no reviewable aspect of that play.”

You might recall the horrendous forward progress call from the 2017 Wild Card Game against the Tennessee Titans. Jeff Triplette called forward progress on a devastating strip-sack on Marcus Mariota forced by Derrick Johnson. Kansas City ended up losing the game 22-21 and getting eliminated from playoff contention. It sure feels like this was the NFL finally paying the Chiefs back for that horrible forward progress call.

Referee explains why he made controversial call that went against Patriots in Week 4

This one was a head-scratcher.

Heading into Arrowhead Stadium with Brian Hoyer at the helm, the New England Patriots needed every small detail to fall into place if they had a chance at winning.

For the most part, New England did things the best they could in the 26-10 loss. The Patriots trailed 13-10 heading into the fourth quarter, and the loss had nothing to do with the defense. Bill Belichick’s team coughed up four turnovers (three interceptions) and they should’ve lost be a much larger margin.

When things were going right, they were only down by three points halfway through the second quarter. On 3rd-and-4, it appeared that Chase Winovich caused Patrick Mahomes to fumble and the Patriots recovered it.

The referees didn’t see it that way, and they blew the whistle dead.

Here’s referee Tony Corrente’s explanation of the play.

Mahomes was still moving and the referees may have called the play dead so quickly because of the large contract he just signed. Referees are more lenient toward quarterbacks, especially elite ones, with the goal of keeping them safe throughout the game.

Regardless, it kept the Patriots from potentially scoring a defensive touchdown and taking momentum in the game. Belichick was furious and he had the right to be.

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Texans coach Bill O’Brien says official told him Ross Blacklock threw a punch

Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien says an official on Tony Corrente’s crew told him DT Ross Blacklock threw a punch to get disqualified in Week 2.

Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien provided more details as to why rookie defensive tackle Ross Blacklock was disqualified from Sunday’s 33-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium.

With 4:42 to go in the fourth quarter, Blacklock was disqualified for unnecessary roughness. There wasn’t a discernable reason, and after the game O’Brien said he didn’t get to talk to Blacklock about it as he was escorted to the locker room upon disqualification.

O’Brien told reporters Monday that he has spoken to Blacklock about the ejection.

“Yeah, I have spoken to him,” O’Brien said. “I didn’t see it on the tape, but I know that it happened. So, yeah, I’ve spoken to him.”

According to NFL on CBS color commentator Trent Green, Blacklock appeared to shove a Ravens offensive player after running back Mark Ingram rushed for three yards.

O’Brien elaborated on what that shove may have entailed.

“I just know what the official told me so I’m not trying to — I didn’t see it either, but the official told me that he threw a punch which I think you probably already know that,” said O’Brien. “I’m just saying that’s what the official told me, and we’ve addressed it and we’ll continue to address it today.”

Defensive end J.J. Watt referred to Blacklock’s disqualification as “selfish,” but similarly did not explain what the 2020 second-round pick from TCU did to get thrown out of the game.

Friday is when the league office sends their fines to NFL players. It is not known yet if Blacklock will get fined. The defensive tackle should be able to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 at Heinz Field.

Referee Tony Corrente offers maddening support of game-changing OPI call on Gallup

As expected, the ref didn’t back down from what most observers saw as a bad and game-altering call on Dallas’ final drive.

The Dallas Cowboys have a right to be pissed. They certainly did enough on their own to lose their season opener, 20-17. The bad awareness, embarassing tackling and third-down failures on both sides of the ball were certainly the most glaring factors which contributed to their loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Still, when bad referee calls happen, things that are fundamentally outside of the player’s control, those sting a lot more than correctable mistakes that come from within. The blown offensive pass interference call made late in the game that wiped out a 47-yard completion to WR Michael Gallup on a beautifully on-the-mark throw by Dak Prescott is a prime example. Yes, Dallas’ mistakes put them in a position where a blown call could hurt them and that is on the team and Mike McCarthy. That doesn’t mean that the right call wouldn’t have put the game in the Cowboys’ hands, and the referee crew should still be held accountable.

To be clear, there was hand fighting on the play. Jalen Ramsey initiates contact by hooking Gallup’s right arm as the receiver turns for the ball. Gallup responds by getting Ramsey off of him with a nudge to Ramsey’s chest. There should have been no call. A response to physical defense is to be physical in return. Yet flags were thrown and the biggest gain of the entire game was wiped out as Ramsey lobbied for a call.

The highest-paid corner in the game got roasted in the biggest moment, flopped and was rewarded. Then Tony Corrente, as should be expected, covered for his fellow refs when talking to the pool reporters following the game.

“I can tell you it was clear and obvious on the field, of a hand into the opposing player. A full arm extension that created separation. In all situations that would be called. We’re not going to allow that at any time of the game,” Corrente attempted to explain. The Sunday Night Football crew, including rules analyst and former referee Terry McAuley.

When pressed that there was hand fighting by both sides, Corrente doubled down. Ft. Worth Star-Telegram’s Clarence Hill asked, “There was nothing from the defensive player, just clearly from the receiver?”

And Corrente responded, “Clearly. There were two officials from tttwo different angles that had a very good look at it, and they didn’t hesitate whatsoever, it was that clear and obvious.”

Only, it wasn’t. Clearly.

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Texans 100: Facts and Figures for wild-card versus the Bills, No. 51-75

The Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills face off in the AFC wild-card. Up next we look at Bills coach Sean McDermott and referee Tony Corrente.

The Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills meet for an AFC wild-card encounter Saturday at 3:35 p.m. at NRG Stadium.

Next up, we take a look at Bills coach Sean McDermott and referee Tony Corrente.

Facts and Figures for Bills, No. 1-25

Facts and Figures for Bills, No. 26-50

sean mcdermott facts

Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

51. In 2017, McDermott joined Joe Collier (1966) and Wade Phillips (1998) as the only Bills head coaches to lead their teams to the playoffs in their first seasons with the team.

52. A win over the Texans would make McDermott the first Bills coach since Chuck Knox in 1981 to lead the Bills to a road wild-card win.

53. McDermott is 0-1 as the Bills’ coach. Here is how other Bills coaches fared in their initial encounters:

Gregg Williams: 1-0

Mike Mularkey: 1-0

Dick Jauron: 1-0

Rex Ryan: 1-0

Chan Gailey: 0-1

Doug Marrone: 0-1

Sean McDermott: 0-1

 

54. McDermott’s teams have compiled a 5-1 record against the Texans (’02 Eagles, ’06 Eagles, ’10 Eagles, ’11 Panthers, ’15 Panthers, ’18 Bills).

55. McDermott is 4-3 against the AFC South, including playoffs, with a 1-3 record on the road.

56. McDermott is 11-14 on the road with an 0-1 record in the playoffs.

57. McDermott is 10-12 against playoff-winning coaches with a 4-7 record on the road.

58. McDermott is 1/10 former Andy Reid assistants who went on to become NFL head coaches.

59. McDermott is 1/7 former Reid assistants who have led their teams to the playoffs. He joins John Harbaugh and Matt Nagy as the only ones to do it in their first seasons.

60. McDermott is 3/12 on challenges for his career with a 2/5 rate in 2019.

61. McDermott made a challenge related to pass interference once and lost.

62. McDermott has not made a challenge in the playoffs. If he does, it will be the first one in Buffalo’s history.

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Texans 100: Facts and Figures for Patriots on Sunday Night Football, No. 51-75

The Houston Texans get ready to face the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football. Next, we look at Bill Belichick and referee Tony Corrente.

The facts continue as the Houston Texans gear up to take on the New England Patriots Sunday night for Week 13 at NRG Stadium.

Next, we take a look at Patriots coach Bill Belichick as well as the referee for the game, Tony Corrente.

Facts and Figures for Patriots, No. 1-25

Facts and Figures for Patriots, No. 26-50

bill belichick facts

sorry-patriots-texans-2-seed-bye-afc-playoffs
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

51. Belichick is 10-1 against the Texans. Compared to all other AFC clubs outside the AFC East, as Patriots coach, this is the second-best record against another AFC club. The only other club Belichick has owned as Patriots coach are the Jacksonville Jaguars with an 8-1 mark.

52. Belichick is 14-10 against former assistants, including playoffs.

53. Belichick is 74-28 in December with a 33-18 record on the road.

54. Belichick is 54-24 in prime time with a 25-17 record on the road.

55. Belichick is 1/4 active head coaches hired in the 2000s and still with the same team. The other three coaches are John Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin, and Sean Payton.

56. Since 2002, when divisions were last realigned, Belichick is 38-9 against the AFC South, including playoffs. Here is how that compares to the rest of the AFC sans the East:

AFC South: 38-9

AFC North: 31-9

AFC West: 29-15

 

57. Belichick is 48/120 on challenges for his career with an 0/3 rate in 2019.

58. Belichick has challenged nothing related to pass interference.

59. The Patriots are tied with the Eagles for the sixth-fewest penalties in the NFL with 68.

60. The Patriots are eighth-lowest in the NFL in red zone conversions at 47.8%.

61. The Patriots have gone for it one fourth down just seven times in 2019, the fourth-fewest in the NFL.

62. The Patriots have the best average starting field position in the NFL at their own 34.2-yard line.

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