New Orleans Saints: Check out this hanging Chad

Coaches get fined by the NFL for complaining about officiating, but are the New Orleans Saints trying to say something with the picture they’ve posted on their website?

The photo clearly shows Minnesota linebacker Chad Greenway grabbing Reggie Bush by the facemask, a violation that went uncalled by referee Ed Hochuli -– yes, the official who blew the fumble call in the Sept. 14 San Diego-Denver game –- and his crew.

Had the facemask call been made in Monday night’s game, it would have kept a first-half drive alive. The photo was first reported by ProFootballTalk.com.

I called the Saints about it this morning, and they said it was the highest-resolution shot they had of Bush, who returned two punts for touchdowns in the 30-27 loss.

Yes, I’m sure that’s why they posted it.

-- Sam Farmer

Photo: The New Orleans Saints website includes a shot that shows Minnesota linebacker Chad Greenway grabbing Reggie Bush by the facemask, a violation that went uncalled by referee Ed Hochuli and his crew. Credit:  Chris Bennett/New Orleans Saints

Comments

[VIKINGFANinPHX]

O well A Win is a Win. Like the Vikings didnt get gipped by calls in the IND and the GB game. Its Karma what goes around comes around. If Gramtica could hit a FG maybe the Saints fans wouldn't be complaining. Look deeper into your team and stop pointing fingers its the NFL. No FOUL LEAGUE

[Nate]

They should have included the other shot that shows Ed Hochuli watching the play as it happened.

[Dan]

Why not use this incident to promote the use of instant replay on plays that the offended bench think require that a penalty should be called upon? If the Ref could see this on instant replay, then he would definitely call it. However, the penalty for 'wasting the game's pace" by the bench would be a two timeout penalty for the half, or, if no more than one time out was left, then the loss of all remaining timeouts AND a 30 yard penalty for the offending team. There needs to be SOMETHING done about poor refereeing by the NFL on such obvious fouls. I saw this foul occur on my little 13" set--and the ref was very close to the play.

[Tajikey]

I am sorry, but asking for instant replay on every play (*cough* college football *cough*) takes away the spontaneity that is good and bad. Instant replay does all but replace the physical necessity of a referee. So what if the referee misses something, it's part of the game. What happened before coaches had the little red flag in their pockets; the game and play went as called. I'm sorry, but I am not a fan of the system, and think it needs to be removed altogether. That would ultimately make it fair for everyone. Give the referees and umpires their credibility back. Ed what's his name didn't need instant replay to know he was wrong, he just knew it.

[Tom]

This was one of many bone-head calls/non-calls in Monday night's game. The Vikings suck and should have even been in this game but thanks to penalties and the refs it was a close game. And when it came down to Longwell vs Gramatica, its a no brainer who is gonna win that one. I have Longwell on my fantasy team for a reason. Hocheli and his boys should be fined for mucking up what would have been a fantastic game.

[Kris]

The ref did see the facemask a few seconds later! They kept playing the replay on the Big Screen in the Dome and the crowd was booing. But because the refs didn't see it on the field, they did not call it. You would at least think they could have thrown the flag then. It must have been within 10 seconds after the play was whistled dead.

[primetime]

Rule changes are addressed each year. The Saint's Bush was obviously facemasked and between having his neck jerked around along with one's body could have added to the fumble in the first place. The face mask incidental penalty of five yards was eliminated and now is a 15 yard penalty. Therefore, what is wrong with a game changing (fumble in this case thus causing the turnover) review of a missed called by the referees and the upstairs officiating crew who are observing the camera monitors. They saw it! This would right the obvious wrong! The upstairs officals would then be an extension of the referees on the field! Late flag by only a few seconds by the upstairs crew. This would be a minimal delay of the game versus the outcome of the poor call. This would make it fair to all!

[Saintsgirl4ever]

This is for VikingfaninPHX and others. Yes, the Saints have their problems, but this bad call would have took a touchdown away from the "Bitemeings", and that would have meant yea, you guessed it, they would still suck. The only reason MN is making their dumb comments is because they know that is the only way they could have won that game. Sorry nothing personal.