bama loses a heart breaker on a bad call
lacey did his job at the end ...
That call at the end wasn't all that beat Bama. I want to go ahead and admit that right up front. It was a horrible call. More than horrible in fact. That man's ability to officiate in the SEC should be over. You have two coaches prepared for the game. You have two teams prepared. And you have one part time official and part time insurance salesman deciding to override all that preparation. All teams and coaches want on the road is a fair chance. Bama could have won the game in a dozen different ways but all the events that occurred before the last play converged to put a spotlight on just how inept some refs are. I sense a suspension coming on for the man. The SEC home office will talk about what good call the man made.
I've watched the play a dozen sides attempting to justify the call. You can't do it. Did Lacey force the contact? Sure, there is no rule that says an offensive player can't use his body in any manner unless there is an offensive foul. Very clearly, the Tennessee player fouled Lacey. No doubt the official was intimidated by the home crowd. You'll never convince me that home cooking doesn't occur. Is is purposeful? Sure, it is. But the unspoken rule among officials is never make or fail to make a call that can change the outcome of the game. Despite how poorly Bama played defense in the second half I'd still like my chances with Lacey at the line.
I know each of these coaches. Grant won't say much. Martin won't talk either. Silently, Grant is probably angry. Martin is a little happy but a bit embarrassed. One things all coaches do agree on is that bad calls in key moments are not a good a to win a game. None of that takes away the gutty performance by Tennessee in coming back to win. Alabama could have one the game on many occasions, and that includes the bad call at the end. That call can't be overlooked anymore than missed free throws or turnovers. Those are things that players control. What occurred at the end was more than regrettable. It was deplorable.
lacey did his job at the end ...
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| Steele consoles Lacey |
I've watched the play a dozen sides attempting to justify the call. You can't do it. Did Lacey force the contact? Sure, there is no rule that says an offensive player can't use his body in any manner unless there is an offensive foul. Very clearly, the Tennessee player fouled Lacey. No doubt the official was intimidated by the home crowd. You'll never convince me that home cooking doesn't occur. Is is purposeful? Sure, it is. But the unspoken rule among officials is never make or fail to make a call that can change the outcome of the game. Despite how poorly Bama played defense in the second half I'd still like my chances with Lacey at the line.
I know each of these coaches. Grant won't say much. Martin won't talk either. Silently, Grant is probably angry. Martin is a little happy but a bit embarrassed. One things all coaches do agree on is that bad calls in key moments are not a good a to win a game. None of that takes away the gutty performance by Tennessee in coming back to win. Alabama could have one the game on many occasions, and that includes the bad call at the end. That call can't be overlooked anymore than missed free throws or turnovers. Those are things that players control. What occurred at the end was more than regrettable. It was deplorable.
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