NFL TRANSACTIONS
Just over a week after a blown call helped shape the outcome of the NFC Championship Game, the NFL finally acknowledged its mistake in an official capacity.
In a court document filed Jan. 27, lawyers for the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell wrote they “do not dispute” what Saints coach Sean Payton told reporters after the game — that the league called him and admitted the officiating error shortly after New Orleans’ 2623 overtime loss.
“Because the officials on the field are humans, like the players and coaches, errors will happen,” the league’s lawyers wrote. “The NFL parties do not dispute that they have previously advised the Saints, including the club’s head coach, that one or more penalties — for pass interference or illegal helmet-to-helmet contact — were mistakenly not called late in the NFC Championship Game, and that the NFL would like its officials on the field to make these calls.
“This was acknowledged immediately after the game to the coach of the New Orleans Saints by NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Al Riveron.”
The NFL’s acknowledgment came in a brief filed by New Orleans law firm Jones, Swanson, Huddell & Garrison in response to a lawsuit filed by two Saints season ticket holders last week asking a Louisiana judge to order Goodell to reverse the results of the game that sent the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl, or schedule a do-over.
The crucial no-call occurred on cornerback Nickell RobeyColeman, who appeared to commit pass interference on Tommylee Lewis late in the fourth quarter, a play that forced the Saints to settle for another field goal with 1:41 to go instead of run out the clock and attempt to score the winning touchdown.
The league had declined to publicly own up to the error in the days after the game, prompting criticism from media members and current and former players, including Saints tight end Benjamin Watson. NBC Sports reported Jan. 28 that Payton has privately “urged the NFL to ‘show some leadership’” and issue a statement about the missed call.
In its brief, the league also argues that Goodell does not have authority to order that all or part of the game be replayed, as some had speculated. The league requests that a U.S. District Court judge throw out the lawsuit because “this kind of dispute implicates no legally cognizable rights.”
“At its essence, this suit was filed because the Plaintiffs, fans and ticketholders of an athletic event disagree with the outcome of that game,” the NFL’s lawyers argue.
ESPN reported that RobeyColeman was fined for the play in question — an apparent helmet-to-helmet hit on Lewis. Robey-Coleman said after the game that he thought a penalty flag should have been thrown on the play.
The Rams will face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3. NFL — Jan. 26: Fined Los Angeles Rams CB Nickell Robey-Coleman $26,739 for his helmet-tohelmet hit on New Orleans WR Tommylee Lewis during the NFC Championship Game.
Pro Football
Jan. 22: Announced the retirement of executive director Joe Horrigan, effective June 1. Arizona Cardinals — Jan. 22: Named Tom Clements pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach. 23: Re-signed WR Larry Fitzgerald to a one-year contract.
24: Extended the contract of coach John Harbaugh through the 2022 season.
Carolina Panthers — Jan. 23: Signed DE Efe Obada to a oneyear contract.
21: Named Ted Monachino senior defensive assistant and outside linebackers coach. Monachino will be reunited with new Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano after coaching together in two previous stops with the Indianapolis Colts (2016-17) and Baltimore Ravens (2010-11).
23: Signed OL Cornelius Lucas to a reserve/future contract.
26: Re-signed OL Bobby Massie to a four-year contract extension.
22: Signed OL Don Barclay to a reserve/future contract.
Detroit Lions — Jan. 22: Signed WR Brandon Reilly to a reserve/ future contract. Named John Bonamego special teams coordinator.
Green Bay Packers — Jan. 24: Named Milt Hendrickson director-football operations, Kirk Olivadotti inside linebackers coach, Justin Outten tight ends coach and Adam Stenavich offensive line coach. Jan. 25: Named Mike Smith outside linebackers coach. Indianapolis Colts — Jan. 25: Signed K Adam Vinatieri. Kansas City Chiefs — Jan. 22: Fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton.
New Orleans Saints — Jan. 21: Signed QB J.T. Barrett, DB Chris Campbell, DB J.T. Gray, DT Tomasi Laulie, LB Darnell Sankey and TE Nate Wozniak to reserve/future contracts.
23: Named Dowell Loggains offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
26: Named Todd Downing tight ends coach.