Personal Foul...

I hate to complain about officiating in the NFL.  It is a difficult job and I would not like to do it.  For the most part, I think the officials do a very good job.

But this weekend was full of terrible calls.  I heard someone point out that the officials are calling it exactly like the NFL wants it.  That is probably correct.

Quarterbacks are off limits.  Wide receivers are off limits.

I think one of the worst calls this weekend was on Clay Matthews.  Now, I am the last person on earth who would complain about a call against the Packers that works in the Vikings favor, but I also think the integrity of the game must come before everything else. 

On this particular play, Christian Ponder was flushed out of the pocket, rolling to his right and just as he threw the ball downfield, Matthews hit Ponder in the mid-section, leading with his shoulder and driving his legs.  A text book tackle. 

Yet he was flagged for roughing the passer - a 15 yard penalty, automatic first down.  Matthews couldn't believe it.  I, as a die-hard Vikings fan, couldn't believe it.  In fact, I even said to my television (because it listens so well), "That was a terrible call!" 

There was absolutely nothing wrong with Matthews' timing or tackle on Christian Ponder.  The penalty was an embarrassment to football this game I used to fully understand.

I've often said that quarterbacks should wear neon pink flags on their hips.  If a defender can grab the flag, the quarterback is down.  That way the NFL doesn't have to worry about him getting hit.

That's no more ridiculous than the way things are currently called.

Even a perfect form tackle is no longer acceptable in the NFL.

On at least two other occasions this weekend (including Monday night), a defensive back was called for unnecessary roughness on a wide receiver, even though the DB made a perfectly legal hit - leading with the shoulder, hitting the receiver in the chest, knocking the receiver on his butt and preventing him from catching the ball.

The NFL has (rightly) slammed its iron fist down on leading with the helmet.  I'm all for that.  But now the pendulum has swung too far. 

When a defensive player has perfect timing, leads with his shoulder, doesn't go "head hunting" and still gets called for a personal foul... what can you do?

I wish I was smart enough to give a really good answer.

Instead, I guess I'll just cry about it and try my best to understand what is legal and illegal in the NFL, which is much easier said than done.