Dolphins jobbed on Sharper's TD, replay

If you haven't seen the photo in Sports Illustrated that should fry your frank, here it is:

 
  
The photo clearly shows that Saints safety Darren Sharper fumbled  before he crossed the goal line in the third quarter of the Saints' 46-34 victory over Miami.

The play was ruled a touchdown in the third quarter of the game, cutting Miami's advantage from 24-10 to 24-17. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano threw a challenge flag. And he lost the challenge and a time out.

What's the point?

The point is this photo proves Sharper did not score. It further means the Dolphins should have gotten the ball at the 20 yard line after a touchback while still nursing a 24-10 lead.

Sparano was asked today if he saw the photo (by the way, if you want to see a bigger image, click on it).

"Yes," he said.

And his thoughts?

"No comment," the coach said after a pause, obviously not wanting to say anything that would incur a fine from the NFL.

You, however, are encouraged to comment.

Comments

[Jeff]

as pissed as i was with the refs on sunday, let us bottomline it...winning teams get the calls...we had a good yr last yr but we are still considered a losing team, so there will be no calls....that horsespit at the half? come on..we have gotten screwed for a few yrs...as for ginn, it was good hustle on one play, but for whatever reason, the guy plays scared...enough said...

[OcalaHowie]

Just forget it guys; We are the Dolphins, and when youre the Dolphins youve got to play the opponent, the Refs/league, ESPN, Vegas, and the Dade and Broward chambers of Commerce.
That takes me to my chamber of commerce conspiracy theory; The Super Bowl is here this year... Does anyone think those guys want us in it? If 90% of our fan base already lives here, who the heck is gonna come to town and spend money, just the other teams fans. For us it will be business as usual right up until game day. They probably have a deal with the NFL to make it as hard as possible for us to win. Watch for more bad calls this Sunday...
GO PHINS!!!

[SilverHornet]

That is an interesting theory with the chamber of commerce howie

[Marc]

Come on Ocala...90%? That's most likely the silliest thing I've heard. I know that there a MANY of us up here in Central Florida, but, more importantly, we're all over the country. The only demographic that might be 90% in Miami is the latin community. Reminds me. I need to get down there and score with some Cuban mamis...

[What a Disgrace]

Just more evidence that the games are fixed... The NFL should force the refs to have to speak to the media after games...

Anyways, after some of the calls I've seen against the Dolphins and Hurricanes over the years, maybe most refs are just anti-Miami

[Marc]

BTW, Mandy, shouldn't the title read "Robbed"?

[OcalaHowie]

Yeah Marc, youre probably right. I left So.Florida 5 years ago along with countless others. Yes there are quite a few of us up here in central Florida. I see allot more Fins bumper stickers and license plates than I do Bucs or Jags... But still I usually just come down on game day. The rest of us who have since moved, now mostly live in N.C. Tenn. S.C. and Ga. those guys would have to make a weekend of it

[Marc]

I do imagine we're becoming more and more of an endangered species...

[Marc]

Anyway, got a sweet Peruvian chica tonight ;) Take it easy fellas

[NJ PHIN FAN]

There goes marc dreaming AGAIN ! Welcome to your Fantasy.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Howie , what's going on at the SS. ?

[OcalaHowie]

Yep, Me, I was born and raised Dolphins since their beginning and went to my first game in '69 against the Jets no less... Growing up in North Miami Beach there were more kids in my class from N.Y. than from Miami... So down there weve got to be out numbered 10-1... But you are right about us still having a following. I remember the London game, on the other blog all the U.K. people where telling us how The Fins are like the biggest team over there, and we do have fans scattered throughout the U.S. Canada and Mexico, but I would have to say we are still in the minority...
GO PHINS!!!

[Daveatl]

If ginn simply catches the ball we r not having this discussion

[OcalaHowie]

Hey NJ, looks like they did away with our blog just like they did with Topix. Ive never been here before but its kind of fun. Check back with Omar and Mike in the morning...
GO PHINS!!!

[MsCuba]

Great pic. Unfortunately that was not the only bad call of the game

[OcalaHowie]

NJ
Ive been hearing for years that they are bankrupt, maybe they went out of business??? When Omar turns out the light tonight, then so goes our site... Looks like weve gotta find a new home. This place seems cool... I actually grew up reading the herald, long before there where computers and blogs, back when Edwin Pope was the main Fins reporter. Hows Tins site, is anybody there?
GO PHINS!!!

[pastorj]

How does LJ 107 looking right at the play blow this call?? Then to see it blown again by repay??

[CarlosVP]

LJ 107 happens to be married to.....Rex Ryan.

[EmoFinFan]

The League owes us an apology! Goodell, we demand an apology! WE have been robbed.

[shaggy]

This needs to be pushed all the way up to the Idiot Goodell. Why in the hell are end zone plays not shot right down the line from both sides? is this the first time this has come up? Seriously, if mr goodell wants integrity and all that goes along with it, why are we settling for this?

I have heard that the NFL replays are dictated by where the networks decide to place their cameras…..If so its time to at least get the GD end zones covered roger, you bumbling worst commish ever. Roger is more concerned with horse collars, and wedge busters. MORON!! That said, It does not excuse Ginn in the least. I actually wish I had not seen that Because now I am really Pissed, and that moron official was looking right at it.

[cleeuw]

Wow.
I knew it was a bad call when I saw it, but never thought it was THAT bad.
What a shame.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Ocala howie , I think they've been programming a new system so people can't use other peoples names to go along with avatar. It probably went on the fritz today. Don't worry , It'll be back up .

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Ocala howie , believe me this place isn't that cool. This place has some good people and good fans but theirs some idiot impersonaters on here. The herald should take a page from the SS as far as protecting it's posters/bloggers.

[Rick on the Beach]

Is this supposed to be news??? Ever since Don Shula retired, Miami has been getting screwed by the referees multiple times on a yearly basis. Until they have strong representation on the competition committee, this is going to keep happening. The league has been crapping on this franchise for many years now.

[BeachsideFinhead]

The ref saw the fumble,he just chose not to call it,for whatever reason.Maybe it wouldn't have changed the game but it sure made a huge difference vs. the point spread.

[RickyBrown717]

What are u doin to me Armando I ws just gettin over this this and now u got to go show me this! Now I'm more angry than ever that was a huge momentum shift for the saints u take that pick 6 away totally different game.

[Eric]

Amazing that LJ 107 is clearly looking at the play and still can't make the right call. What a joke; another blown call. Did the NFL employ this guy off of Craig's List?

I hope that this photo goes to the NFL for review. This ref should be embarrased and held accountable.

Ted Ginn sucks and has no heart! He should have made that catch. I feel for Chad Henne...

[Cubster]

So that's two missed calls in a row. The first allowing a Saint TD before the half (a result of the refs not making the right call, down at the 1.) Take those 2 TDs away and we have no reason to throw the ball up in the air on 4th and 13 during the final minutes. All of a sudden, the 12 defeat turns into a 9 point victory, even with the collapse. What a shame.

[phinsfan6453]

You could see on the replay that the ball was moving. I was shocked they called it a touchdown. It was a bad bad call by the refs.

[Robbyhenz]

I blame J-Lo & Fergie!! Now even the refs hate us!! I mean, WTF!! How can u review that and still F it up?????

[Gertrudys]

I'm hardpressed to believe the refs didn't have a view as clear as the s.i. picture.so was this a conspiracy?the Saints have the better record so give them the call?that bad call was the beggining of the end.

[Beerndrums]

How could the ref not see that and make the correct call to begin with?What a bunch of crap!

[Mikepete24]

Refereeing in all major sports is fixed. Just look at the NBA, MLB, NFL, NCAA, etc. Golden boys always get calls. Money talks, BS walks.

[DaveyDave]

If the NFL has instituited Instant Replay then why is there not a camera on each end of the sideline following the ball at all times? Would it cost so much for them to place a camera at each pylon in the endzone? If it does then charge an extra 10 cents fir a hotdog that will cover the expense. It is ridiculous that you can never get a great angle on a replay. On another note did anyone else notice the cameraman in the replay standing there with his camera on the play the whole time? Who does he work for Bill Belichik? Why didn't we get to see his feed?

[dolfandave]

It's pretty obvious to me that some of Ted Ginn's "Family" resides here, lol. Ted Ginn sucks, wouldn't hurt my feelings at all if we cut him today. Just give him another thing to sulk about.

[TAlberding]

Now that will Alan is on IR does anyone know what they are doing with that roster spot? Are we looking to sign someone or promote from the practice squad?

[Phin fan in Cali]

Isn't that typical.... another blown call by these damn refs. When is the NFL gonna make a change to the amount to game changing errors that the refs have made

[jaksin]

kc from earlier has it right. were probably being punished for being the one's who won the division after the cheating poster boy (brady) went down last year and couldnt compete for that evasive perfect season. whatever the case, total b.s.!

[shaggy]

I hate to say this, but how awesome would it be for the Saints, a team from New Orleans, (The City that George Bush Screwed)According to some......To Win the Super Bowl, and go undefeated.

Goodell is slime, Obama is slime, don't take everything at face value. The NBA was the only one caught fixing games. Remember Phil Luckett? yeah his incompetence only got him demoted.

Again, I hate saying it, but the fix is in. Football has become reality TV.

[john]

Shaggy you are a fool for thinking Obama is slime. Your slime.
As far as the game it was one sided as if the refs wanted the Saints to win. What is with Joey getting pushed in the back all day for no calls?
The quarter alone was filled with one sided calls. A false start on our center? That illegal forward pass? I have never seen that called inat such a point in a game.
And of course the Sharper fumble was obvious. Those calls made a big difference.

[Kurt In St Pete]

Alright, A couple things:

Zebras may have cost the indy game also.

To all you a Ginn hating carion foul. He never quit on the play.

As much as I want to forget the Cam experience, Ginn saved a few pick sixes and litteraly single handedly stopped several oposing kick off returns for six also. When most of that team quit he didn't.

If you were real fans you would support a dolphin going through a streak of bad luck.

[jaksin]

i know the saints loss hurts deep fella's, but thers much bigger fish to fry. think how you all will feel after a loss to the jets this week? losing to the saints, one thing. at least there good and really not our concern. lossing to the sh*%!Y jets, now talk about salt in the wound! we'll never hear the end! please miami dont put me through that!

[Brian]

dolfandave... there are a few of us on this blog that aren't caught up in the assinine bloodlust to pin all the phins losses on Ted Ginn Jr. In my 30 years of watching the dolphins I have seen worse wide outs line up for the phins. All of you make make it such a personal thing with Ginn. I am not saying he is great, but he hasn't done anything to merit all the blame. There is the poor def. back play, bad linebackers, poor QB play early in the season with CP. There are a lot of reasons the phins are 2-4. Open your eyes.

[Sammy in Dubai]

Wow...That ref was in great position to make the right call. Three possibilities:

#1: Ref was looking at Sharpers feet to make sure he did not step out of bounds
#2: Ref blinked at exactly the moment the ball was jarred loose
#3: Ref was biased and wanted to make it a more interesting game and boost ratings

Eitherway, there does not seem to be much in the way of accountability on these refs. I agree with a previous post that the media should have the opportunity to interview the refs following blown calls. But my guess is that the league likes to keep a low profile as they would probably get death threats or get jumped and beaten to a pulp or something...

I just hope the fins can put this one past them and gear up for the next two division games as both are 'must win' if we are going to bag the division and turn the season around.

[shaggy]

If the NFL has instituited Instant Replay then why is there not a camera on each end of the sideline following the ball at all times? Would it cost so much for them to place a camera at each pylon in the endzone? If it does then charge an extra 10 cents fir a hotdog that will cover the expense. It is ridiculous that you can never get a great angle on a replay. On another note did anyone else notice the cameraman in the replay standing there with his camera on the play the whole time? Who does he work for Bill Belichik? Why didn't we get to see his feed?

Posted by: DaveyDave | October 29, 2009 at 11:00 PM

No F'ing kidding. Either they are Cheap(not) or there is another agenda. (likely)

[john]

Obama IS slime !

[jaksin]

cube, your right were is odin? maybe he just ran with some savage's (friends) and now sleep it it off?

[jaksin]

shaggy getting the wheels turnin. you make a strong point, because even if it were for say "nfl films" or something it should still be thier property no? so why cant there be a live feed or way to use it for replay? unless the guy is catching the kraft private jet back to n.e.

[Ekinger]

Wow, I'm shocked that not one person has said that the call wouldn't have been an issue if Ginn had made the same catch that almost every 3rd and 4th receiver in the league is expected and does make. I like Ginn and I thought he was going to be used exclusively as a kick/punt returner. I thought he would score at least 4 or 5 times a season and I haven't ever seen a dolphins team with a player that can consistently put them in good field position on kick and punt returns. It makes a huge difference and I wad psyched.

I was psyched too when the dolphins decided to try to groom him at receiver. They've tried and tried and tried and no matter how much I like him, he simply isn't good enough to be considered a professional receiver. He plays scared and now it's even ruined his return ability. If parcells were talking he would have called Teddy ginn Teddy bear juniorette and told him to take a hike.

Tedd single handedly put the dagger in the Dolphins heart. Sparano made a boneheaded call cut we were still up by 14. We were moving the ball in the 3rd, had the saints back on their heals and then a 25 yd reception which would have put us right back in the driver seat turns into a pick 6. It was brutal from a confidence perspective and even worse for momentum. The hardest part to take is that were it anyone else int eh league besides fasano, it would have been a long completion on the way to at least a field goal.

[shaggy]

Shaggy you are a fool for thinking Obama is slime. Your slime.
As far as the game it was one sided as if the refs wanted the Saints to win. What is with Joey getting pushed in the back all day for no calls?
The quarter alone was filled with one sided calls. A false start on our center? That illegal forward pass? I have never seen that called inat such a point in a game.
And of course the Sharper fumble was obvious. Those calls made a big difference.

Posted by: john | October 29, 2009 at 11:19 PM

John, although you might be a liberal, one thing is certain. You are not the brightest bulb in the lamp.

I bleed Aqua and Orange.
Your man crush against the Obama comment has tainted your judgment.

FYI John.. It is "you're", not "your" . I could charge you for the grammar lesson, but you probably don't have a pot to piss in, or a window to throw it out of.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Shaggy , How dare you say something against the Messiah ! LOL ! Can we please get a newblog site ? That picture has got me sick enough. :)

[aqua and orange]

The refs cost us the game, plain and simple.

I thought the Bess fumble was also a horrible call that cost us at least 7 pts. To say that ball was coming out is bogus....he still had it when his knee was down!!

[shaggy]

Shaggy , How dare you say something against the Messiah ! LOL ! Can we please get a newblog site ? That picture has got me sick enough. :)

Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | October 30, 2009 at 12:23 AM

LMAO, Is that rich or what? The big Zero trumped the Phins. We were on the same side football wise, but I insulted Mr Ears. Hahahahahaha, Mando is surely chuckling at this one.

[KillerDolphin]

Teddy "Granite hands" Ginn is not to blame it's the coaching staff that is to blame God praise Ginnie he has made come to light how full of manure this group of coaches are God praise Ginnie

[NJ PHIN FAN]

LOL@SHAGGY. MR Ears ! There you go again speaking against the CHOSEN ONE ! Be careful , you might be called a racist or pretty soon , thrown in jail as a Political prisoner. :)

[everett]

Anybody that wants to defend ted ginn, all i have to say to you is DESEAN JACKSON. same size, same speed, and a hell of alot more heart than teddy, the kids made more big plays in one and a half seasons than teddys made in 2 almost 3 full seasons.

[shaggy]

I apologize to those I bashed for crying about the officiating earlier in the week.

Yes, we should have won this game anyhow, and yes, Ted Ginn still sucks.

That photo is so damning though. I accepted the initial call because it was inconclusive based on that angle we were force fed.

Goodell, get your sht together. Institute full video on end zone calls. On a side note, how did a douche like you end up with a wife like Jane Skinner?

[shaggy]

Ha, NJ, thank god I don't have the money to buy a team, I would be *****listed like Rush. Roger still finds it ok to allow a team called the Redskins though.

The NFL is becoming reality TV.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Shaggy , better yet , roger finds it OK for fergie of the black eyed peas to buy into the dolphins , even after she calls the C.I.A terrorists in her songs. LMFAO ! :)

[JayJn2]

Makes me REALLY mad. Refs blew the call before the half too. If the Colston catch was called correctly the first time N.O would have never had time to reset and score. 14 point swing and a Dolphins win taken away by the refs. That being said, Teddy shoulda made catches, our D continues to give up big plays and Sporano with his time out and bad play calling gave N.O the game as much as the refs did.