When a fumble is not really a fumble, and the incomplete pass that never was either.

I can only hope that at some point later in the 2008-2009 NFL season the events that transpired in the final minute of yesterday's Chargers - Broncos game at Invesco Field in Denver will be insignificant in the grander scheme of how the AFC West was won. At this moment though, the bitter bile burning in my stomach over this travesty of officiating is still going strong. For those unfamiliar with what happened...

The Broncos were behind 38-31, but had driven down the field and were sitting on the 1 yard line with second and goal to go. Bronco quarterback, Jay Cutler, took the snap and went to throw but as his hand was coming back he lost his grip on the football and fumbled. (After the game Cutler would even state that he thought it was a fumble blaming it on the slick ball). Charger linebacker Tim Dobbins rushed forward to scoop up the errant ball and stepped out of bounds, effectively sealing an amazing Chargers comeback, but wait.

AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

Referee Ed Hochuli had blown the play dead when the ball came loose and ruled it an incomplete pass. The play was reviewed by instant replay and proved to be a fumble however in true LSWTF fashion, in instances such as this based on current instant replay rules, the opponent cannot gain possession in such situations. Say what?

“All we can do to fix it is put the ball at the spot that it hit the ground, which is why we moved it back to the 10-yard line and the down counts and it becomes third down,” said Hochuli.

So basically they reviewed the play, found that they were wrong, and also could do nothing about it. What was the point of instant replay again? The Broncos would score a touchdown two plays later and hit on the 2-pt conversion to win the game. But this story doesn't end there. Time for a history lesson and a bit of irony. This travesty of officiating happened 30 years almost to the day of one of the most notorious bad calls in NFL officiating history, which coincidentally also involved the Chargers (doh) and a fumble/incomplete pass dispute.

The Holy Roller

Most of the writers of LSWTF were not even born when one of the most infamous plays in NFL history occurred and this writer was more interested in Star Wars and legos than football at the time so here is a history lesson for you all courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame...

When it comes to football lore, few moments in National Football League history are so significant that they earn a specific nickname. One such bizarre play in a game between the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders in 1978 was just that and today is simply referred to as the “Holy Roller.”

Ten seconds remained in the Week 2 match up at San Diego on September 10, 1978, when Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler dropped back to pass from the 14-yard-line. Chargers defensive end Fred Dean broke through the line and hit Stabler. Realizing there was nothing else he could do as the seconds ticked away, “The Snake” hurled the ball forward. As the ball rolled loose on the ground, Raiders running back Pete Banaszak swatted it toward the end zone. Tight end Dave Casper continued the ball’s forward motion with a kick at the five yard line and then fell on in it in the end zone for a touchdown as the clock ran out.

“I fumbled it on purpose,” Stabler admitted honestly after the game. “Yes, I was trying to fumble.”

Despite a protest from the Chargers sideline, referee Jerry Markbreit ruled it a legal play. Kicker Errol Mann added the extra point and the Raiders won the game, 21-20.

Markbreit’s decision to uphold the play was absolutely correct by the rules in place at the time. However, that would soon change. During the off-season, the league added a provision to the rule book about fumbles after the two-minute warning that allows only the player who fumbled the ball to advance it. As such, the rule change implemented will forever prevent the “Holy Roller” from happening again.

I think it is time for the NFL to review the "fumble/incomplete pass" rule in regards to instant replay. It is truly amazing that the Chargers have found themselves on the wrong side of a fumble/incomplete pass call in a divisional game once again. Thoughts?

NFL Draft Review AFC West

Ah the AFC West, very similar to the AFC East, where there is one dominate team, one team clearly rebuilding, one getting closer, and one who believes they aren't really rebuilding when they clearly are. When three quarters of your division drafts before pick 15 you know you're not very good.


DENVER BRONCOS
NEEDS: WR, OL, DL, CB, ILB
DRAFT PICKS: OT Ryan Clady, WR Eddie Royal, G Kory Lichtensteiger, CB Jack Williams, RB Ryan Torain, DT Carlton Powell, LB Spencer Larsen, DB Josh Barrett and RB Peyton Hillis
APPROVED PICKS: Clady, Williams, Larsen, Barrett
EVENTUAL BUSTS: Royal, Powell
REVIEW: It's not quit 50 50 on whether I like this draft or not. I think they got some great pieces in this draft, filled some needs, but at the same made some blatantly ridiculous picks. I like Ryan Clady, I think he landed at the perfect place for him. The Denver zone blocking scheme I think is perfect for the style of football he plays and should be starting week 1. It takes a special kind of player to get me to like a kid from Virginia Tech, and sorry Royal and Powell both leave me wanting. The entire program is filled with athletic ability, with nothing but underachievers. You see that this year especially, having so many kids drafted and yet making no noise in the national title picture. Lichtensteiger I think has the potential to be a special type of player with Denver, one of their classic stories of playing for the team for 15 years. This is also true of Jack Williams, who I think a lot of teams overlooked. He is blazing fast and should be something special learning from Champ Bailey. The two picks that I thought were just phe-nominal came towards the end with the selection of Larsen and Barrett. These are two players that you're gonna wake up one day and wonder where the hell they came from and how could anyone have missed out on drafting these players.
GRADE: B

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
NEEDS: QB, WR, OL, DL, CB
DRAFT PICKS: DT Glenn Dorsey, G Branden Albert, CB Brandon Flowers, RB Jamaal Charles, TE Brad Cottam, S DaJuan Morgan, WR Will Franklin, CB Brandon Carr, OT Barry Richardson, WR Kevin Robinson, DE Brian Johnston and TE Michael Merritt
APPROVED PICKS: Dorsey, Albert, Charles, Carr
EVENTUAL BUSTS: Cottam, Morgan
REVIEW: Without a doubt this is the best draft class of any team this year. I know they didn't address the quarterback position, but Croyle could shock people and finally come around this year. Dorsey was one of my favorite players in this draft as he is the epitome of a FOOTBALL player. I like the selection of Branden Albert, though I don't know if he'll be as dominant as folks expect him to be. Flowers will flourish under Herm Edwards and is the only VA Tech player I really liked that was drafted. Jamaal Charles may very well turn Larry Johnson expendable if LJ keeps on with his attitude. Brad Cottam and DaJuan Morgan are two players that never really impressed me. Yes, they have talent out the ass, but they reek of lollygaggers, this draft is so deep though that it doesn't hurt them. Franklin should do well in this system and Carr may be the perfect compliment to Brandon Flowers. Barry Richardson is a solid tackle, one I really like, and should end up starting for the Chiefs. Robinson gives them that return man they've been missing since Dante Hall went across the state and became a Ram. I like Johnston, he's a project, but he's a project that could reap huge dividends if he adjusts to the NFL level of play.
GRADE: A+

OAKLAND RAIDERS
NEEDS: WR, OL, DL, LB, S
DRAFT PICKS:RB Darren McFadden, CB Tyvon Branch, WR Arman Shields, DE Trevor Scott and WR Chaz Schilens
APPROVED PICKS: Branch, Shields, Scott
EVENTUAL BUSTS:McFadden
REVIEW:Go ahead and look at the needs listed, do you see running back anywhere? No? You know why that is? Because the last thing they needed was a fucking running back. I understand that the Godfather wanted his second death star after his first one, Bo Jackson, was blown up by some hot shot kid in a Orange and Black helmet but this is ridiculous. You should have made the faithful happy, traded up to number 2 and taken the son of Howie. With that said I think Branch, Shields and Scott should do very well in the NFL. I say the NFL cause lord knows if the Godfather will allow them the time they need to develop to the NFL level. Of course he chose Chaz, they guys size and attributes guaranteed that Al Davis would make him a Raider. My only wish is that we'd trade something, maybe one of the Smiths, to Oakland in exchange for Michael Bush.
GRADE: D+

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
NEEDS: RB, OL, DL, DB
DRAFT PICKS: CB Antoine Cason, FB Jacob Hester, RB Marcus Thomas, CB DeJuan Tribble and OT Corey Clark
APPROVED PICKS: Cason, Hester
EVENTUAL BUSTS: Tribble
REVIEW: All should learn to trust in the early round selections of AJ Smith. I don't know of a GM in the last twenty years who has had more first and second round picks become stars in the NFL. That being said, gotta love the selection of Antoine Cason by the Chargers. Putting him opposite of Cromartie will actually make Norv Turner look like he can actually be a Head Coach in the NFL. They let go of Lorenzo Neal so trading up to get Jacob Hester was inspired and very well done. He may not be Neal, but he can run the ball effectively, unlike Neal so it's a bonus. Marcus Thomas is an intriguing pick as I think he can be the pounder the Chargers haven't had at running back. They have had back who can run outside the tackle, but not so much one that will go between the guards and run folks over. I don't like the Tribble pick, even at that spot in the sixth round. Taking a chance at one of the wide receivers available may have paid off more. Corey Clark is a decent pick. He comes in with great size and a decent skill set. If he can improve he could fight for playing time.
GRADE: A-