I was going to write a more complete recap of this situation later, but we’re already seeing some comments about it.
The quick version, via ESPN:
Trailing 38-31, the Broncos (2-0) reached the 1 but on third-and-goal, Cutler reared back to throw and the ball slipped out of his hands, bounced off the grass and into linebacker Tim Dobbins’ hands.
But referee Ed Hochuli blew his whistle, apparently ruling it an incomplete pass. After a review, Hochuli said that the Broncos would keep the ball because his whistle had blown the play dead. The Broncos got the ball at the 10-yard line, where it had hit the grass out of Cutler’s hands.
I’m kind of torn on this. Hochuli obviously blew the call, but did all he could to make it right. Once he had blown the whistle, there was nothing he could do. Of course, he never should have blown the whistle.
The difference last week in the Washington-BYU game was that the refs had time to discuss it, and still blew the call. Of course, that game would have only tied it, whereas this call certainly lost the game for the Chargers.
{ 5 trackbacks }
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Ed,
You should either go public on national t.v. on all news stations and apologize for being the idiot you are or resign! Never in my life have I ever seen more irresponsible call on an obvious fumble than that call! in fact do all NFL fans a favor and just resign!
Wow, harsh. I certainly expect an apology from the NFL, but asking him to resign might be a bit much. Over the years, he’s been a pretty solid ref. I hate that this one quick call made such a huge difference in the game.
Ed Hochili SUCKS He handed the game to Denver!!!!! He should be fined his salary for the game or suspended for two to three games with no pay. The Chargers should all get a free punch in to Mr big arms face!!!
Ed truly hosed this one, and his singular failure cost the Chargers the game. He should (a) apologize in writing to the NFL and to the San Diego Chargers establishment, (b) receive a suspension of at least one game, and (c) be barred from any post-season refereeing opportunities for this season.
This is a situation where the “premature whistle rule” needs to be scrutinized. Replays clearly show that Cutler LATERALED the ball, and that he had no chance of recovering his own fumble. Ed failed not once (presuming Cutler’s arm was moving forward upon release) but TWICE: the ball moved BACKWARDS and was still live.
I agree that the “premature whistle rule” should be looked at. What do you suggest they do? Make it a judgment call for the ref to decide what might have happened? It’s obviously pretty clear in this case, but could get quite cloudy in others.
Oh my, not only did we have to suffer through the “malfunction” of the equipment at the game, but also the malfunction of the ref’s as well. How may more games will be at the discretion of these idots? This is not just a pay check for those ref’s, but acutally means something to the player’s and the fans.
IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!IF IT WAS BLOWN DEAD, AND NOT A FUMBLE WHY DID DENVER GET THE BALL AT THE 10YARD LINE??????????? THIS IS THE NFL YOU DUMB ***!!!!!!!WHOPS THE EQUIPMENTS DOWN DENVER GETS 7?WHOPS I BLEW MY WHISTLE?WHATEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AFter thinking about it, the whistle rule is a good rule. I do think that the ref should not only fined but benched for a few games with no pay. If it’s good enougf for the playes it’s good enough for the refs! By the way, I live in Colorado and olnly want my team to WIN when they earn it!
I am not the smartest guy in the world but, I know a fumble when I see it. Ed Hurcules even told Leatherneck that he blew the call. Also this call caused a problem for me in my fantasy league because I am playing against Cutler, who admitted he fumbled the ball. I wonder how many others were hurt in Vegas and other places by this call. Also I remember when Mr. Big Biceps started in this league as a zebra and I do not remember him being so huge. Does the NFL drug test the refs for steroids as they do some of the players because those things can affect judgement too, just wondering. The Bolts were robbed I can’t wait for the NFL’s wimpy response.
I agree with all the above comments 110%. I was mad as hell when Ed made that call. The Chargers WON the game but the ref. gave it to Denver. Maximum fines should be imposed to this Referee.
Ed Hochuli’s call cost the Chargers a football game. An obvious fumble (which he subsequently admitted) was first ruled an incomplete pass. He should not have blown the whistle so quickly, knowing the rule, but should have allowed the play to continue. His performance was a disgrace and his “malfunction” in the first quarter that cost the Chargers a touchdown. He should be disciplined and sanctioned.
The 2 calls, or should I say non-calls did cost the Chargers the game, but what’s more important, could cost them a chance in the playoffs at the end of the season as well. Denver is a division rival and this loss could affect the numbers down the line. I know that managers can dispute calls and games with MLB after the fact and I think that Norv Turner should do just that with the NFL. With a minute left to go on the clock, the Chargers could have easily run out the clock without making a first down had that fumble and recovery been called properly. I’d love to see the outcome of the game overturned and Ed Hochuli fined and suspended for utter incompetence.
I respectfully request an investigation of the NFL officiating in Sunday’s game in Denver vs. the Chargers. As we have seen in the NBA, there are “dirty” officials in professional sports. Please contact Roger Goddell at the NFL and Ed Hochuli himself.
Here is the contact information for the pertinent official. This information is public information:
ehochuli@jshfirm.com
The Law Firm of Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, PLC
2901 N. Central Ave., Suite 800
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
Main Phone: 602-263-1700
Direct phone: 1-602-263-1719 (his secretary’s name is Gladys)
Fax: 602-263-1784
Ed Hochuli should be fined a paycheck or two. His call was more than blown. It was too quick. It was from a poor position of vision. He did not allow the play to follow through. He was not professional in his performance. Most players would loose pay for a serious lack of performance. The referee should not be paid and should be suspended. His whistle affected many people on and off the field. It is “just a game” and referees should be a small part of it.
UMMM… Maybe I was the only one who saw the Broncos blaze past the Chargers TWO more times to win. The call did NOT “give them the game” and had nothing to do with their scoring afterwards. The Chargers didn’t stop the Broncos, and weren’t prepared for Shanahans ballsy decision to go for two. They had their chance to stop Denver and blew their win themselves! Sorry these are the current rules of football, it is an evolving sport, and this rule can be reviewed in March by the comissioners. Until then stop whining.
MP: I’d hardly call a couple short-yardage plays “blazing” past the Chargers. Sure, they turned Hochuli’s blown call into a win — but had any competent ref been officiating (a category to which Hochuli normally belongs), it would have been GAME OVER and a Charger “W”.
Yes, the “Rule” is the rule — and I’m sure this will be scrutinized in March. If they allow a booth review to overturn calls on the field, the same authority should apply when events are so clearly in one side’s favor.
And stop bashing on Hochuli. Refs make mistakes all the time and they overturn them when they review the play. It isn’t his fault that the NFL rules aren’t set up to allow him to correct himself. Human error is a part of any sport.
MP – If Hochuli was a new official and inexperienced I’d might be more prone to chalk it up to human error. However, he has experience, has always been considered one of the best and was standing right there in a good position to see the play. The whole stadium could see that it was a fumble.
Human error does not and should not excuse him for his incompetency. He should still suffer the consequences of his actions.
I feel kind of bad for Ed. From his angle, it must have appeared to have been a forward pass and he quickly blew it dead. It was obvious to the rest of us (and to him in the review) that he was wrong, but then it was too late.
In cases like this, the refs should (and usually do) err on the side of caution — let the play go, then review it later. That way, either result can stand. In hindsight, that’s exactly what he should have done even if he *thought* it was an incomplete pass.
The NFL should investigate the “equipment” snafu and the calls made in crunch-time for this game. Responsibility needs to be placed on those responsible for an obvious error. If the error led conclusively to another team winning, then it should be reversed. It is the right thing to do and will definitely make those responsible for these things more apt to do their job.
Where to begin! Hochuli is a good official but he was beyond horrible at the end of the Chargers/Broncos game! His defense is that blowing some spit and air into a cheap NFL whistle is the reason that the Chargers have a legally-recovered fumble TAKEN AWAY from them and given back to the Broncos at the 10-yard line?! This in a game where Hochuli & crew had already erred on other calls, in particular when their “replay equipment was not working” and they erroneously awarded a ball to the Broncos claiming that the Chargers receiver had fumbled when he was DOWN BY CONTACT and it was stripped from his arms while he is ON THE GROUND! I agree that Hochuli should face a fine, a suspension and be barred from post-season play-offs! I am so angry I can hardly see straight! For this critical game to be STRIPPED from them like this is an incredible injustice to the SAN DIEGO CHARGERS and I sincerely hope that we do not draw Hochuli and his idiots any more this season for our games!
Add this to the Holy Roller fiasco from 1978 when a rule was changed after the Raiders shoveled a fumble forward to steal a game from the Charges, as the NFL is now going to look into changing the rule of “inadvertent whistle”. See this article on ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3589407.
Even though he was following the rules to excuse his incompetence, it still does not excuse Ed Hochuli’s quick whistle in such a crucial situation. He should have let the play go on.
His performance was disgraceful…
Lee — Thanks for the info. I’ve posted a new entry about that.
Ed Hochuli- how can you make TWO bad calls and only apologize to the coach on the field. How about a public statement or holding a press conference and being eating by the press. Or you a pu***. You are a disgrace to NFL and you should fired you dumb-a**
Man there are a bunch of harsh posts on here. Yeah, Ed screwed up – and it was at a bad time. That being said, to suggest he is in the same category as Tim Donaghy is silly. First off it was 1 play at full speed. It looked bad on the 34 replays everyone has seen but Hochuli only got one look, and at full speed. There are replays and reversals every game. It just so happened that this play can’t be overturned which is a league rule not a Hochuli rule.
Also, Hochuli has worked 2 Super Bowls and was rated the best Referee in the NFL (out of 17) last year by 25% of the coaches in the NFL. Hochuli also, in that game, didn’t give up all 38 points, all 480+ yards, he didn’t throw a pick, and didn’t give up a 2 point conversion despite double coverage.
If your a Chargers fan I can understand being real mad, but your team made more mistakes in that game then the officials – and that includes the other bad call, which by the way, Hochuli didn’t make.
Ditto stripes44, you get it .. real easy to make the call after seeing it 50 times. Inadvertant whistles happen, that’s why there are rules for them. That said, I feel bad for the Bolts, but we need to get over it.
Sorry the call was easy. He just blew the whistle to early, way early. In live action at the time it didn’t look like a forward pass, never did. Ed should be disiplined. He, as a lawyer, would sue a doctor who made as poor a judgment.
Ed, I Don’t want you to resign I just think you made a mistake, Go Broncos
If possible to get this to Referee Ed Hochuli it would be appreicated. I have just read numerous articles about how much hate mail he is getting over his no fumble call on Sunday. I think it is ridiculous that people are being so hateful. Yes the call was a mistake. But don’t ALL humans make mistakes. Let he who is free from sin cast the first stone. As I watched the game I too was baffled by the call, but considering the history of service he has demonstrated and the pressure that must be enormous in such a position how can anyone be so unforgiving? I love NFL football and I hate to see referee calls that go the wrong way but I also
realize this is the nature of the game and ultimatley the outcome of the game is a cummlative thing that begins at kickoff. I’m sure ther were numerous events in that game in which either team could have capitalized on a play and assured victory. No one sigle play ever determines a footbal game and without a doubt no one missed or incorrect call decides the outcome of a game. Ed Hochuli
should hold his head high.
If you watch the replay again, you can see how such a mistake can be made. Notice where Ed is standing, he is on the backside of Cutler so it would be very hard for him to see the ball slip out of the hand. Cutler’s head would have blocked the loose ball. Ok so why did he call an incomplete pass? If you continue on with the replay, Cutler’s hand makes contact with the ball a second time, within the view of Ed. If Ed did not see the ball slip out of the hand because his view was blocked by Cutler’s head, and just sees the second contact with the ball, then I can see why the incomplete pass was called. Was Ed out of position on the call, I do not know. If the NFL wishes to review what happened, maybe they should consider either having the referee on the same side as the tv cameras, or mandate that the referee is on the throwing side of the quarterback. Rather the hanging him for missing a call, revise the positioning so he has the full play in front of him. (If Ed was out of position, and should have been on the other side of the quarterback, then I would have to agree with the masses.)
As a fellow referee and a friend, let it go. Human error and a correct call (immediately after) put Ed in a “no win” situation. The game consisits of players (humans), directed and trained by coaches (humans), officiated by referees (humans), and watched and enjoyed by fans (humans). Let’s all keep this in perspective.
I agree. I am a staunch, rabid CHARGERS fan and I agree it is time to let it go. That game will be 39-38 forever and no amount of complaining will change that. The NFL will look into changing the “inadvertant whistle” rule. That is good. Ed Hochuli will be marked down. That is good. What is NOT GOOD is the fact that the POMPOUS ASS, Coach of the Broncos, Mike Sham-a-ham, is thumbing his nose at all that is right. He PRAISED Hochuli and his crew of officials when he met with the Denver-area media on Monday, “That was the best crew that we’ee had in the last 20 crews I’ve graded, he said. “They did a heck of a job.” That goes to show how his warped, egotistical mind works. Most coaches would have taken the high road and declined comment on the officiating. I know that Norv Turner would have done that, but this buffoon spouts off about what a GOOD JOB the officials did! He rubbed salt in the wounds of his opponents when he KNOWS that that fumble belonged to the CHARGERS. He also did not have faith in his team to score any points in an OVERTIME game and THAT is why he opted to go for the 2-point conversion. Sham-A-Ham is a world-class Jerk and I have believed that for many years now!
Ed, U are terrible. but dont worry, u all suck, u guys are the worst group i have ever seen in my life. i dont even kno how to compare u guys u are so terrible