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Browns coach says cornerback didn't interfere with pass. Where was flag during Lions' celebration?
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 10:00 p.m. EST, Nov 23, 2009
BEREA: Browns coach Eric Mangini is still disputing the pass interference call on cornerback Hank Poteat that set up the Lions' miraculous 38-37 victory Sunday.
But Lions coach Jim Schwartz said today that not only did Poteat interfere with receiver Bryant Johnson on quarterback Matthew Stafford's Hail Mary, but that receiver Calvin Johnson was interfered with, too.
Responding to Mangini's claim that Poteat was not at fault, Schwartz said, ''Well, they don't know what they're talking about and you can quote me on that. When the quarterback is still out of the pocket, there can still be pass interference. There can't be illegal contact, but there can be pass interference and when the ball is in the air, you can't make contact with the receivers. I mean, it was clear — there were more flags thrown than there were officials. When you're making contact and you're not playing the ball while the ball is in the air, it's pass interference.''
Hail Mary
A scrambling Stafford launched a Hail Mary intended for Calvin Johnson that was picked off by Browns free safety Brodney Pool with no time remaining. But after the flag on Poteat, who shoved Bryant Johnson out of bounds in the back of the end zone, the Lions got another play.
Stafford, coming back after an injury to his left shoulder, tied the game with a 1-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew and Jason Hanson won it with his extra point.
Browns strong safety Abe Elam said afterward that he was ''face in front of Calvin Johnson.''
''Not only did they interfere with Bryant [Johnson] but they interfered with Calvin [Johnson], who was trying to make the play,'' Schwartz said. ''The one guy was intercepting the ball, but the other guy is undercutting Calvin's legs.
''Any time you lose the game, you're going to be upset and look at different things, but I think that the officials handled the game well, they made good calls.''
Mangini still disagreed today with the call on Poteat. With his back to the quarterback, Poteat was facing Bryant Johnson and pushing him out of bounds, which he said was what he'd been coached to do when Stafford left the pocket.
''You're in the end zone, you're mirroring the receiver. Often times when you're in the end zone, if you look back for the ball, the guy just like in basketball is going to read away from you and get open,'' Mangini said. ''The quarterback was running around all over the place and Hank matched him. Could he have pushed him less? Yeah, he probably could have. It's really not illegal contact when the guy's out of the pocket or scrambling. But they called it.''
'We'll live with it'
When it was suggested that's not allowed when the ball is in the air, Mangini said, ''Yeah, I guess that's what they called it for. I haven't seen it, haven't been a part of it. It's their call. We'll live with it.''
Asked if Calvin Johnson could have been called for offensive pass interference on the play, Mangini said, ''That's like a big rugby scrum, guys pushing and shoving. They could call something all over the place in there.''
Mangini also believes the Lions should have been penalized for excessive celebration after Brandon Pettigrew's game-tying 1-yard TD pass, which would have tacked on 15 yards to Jason Hanson's game-winning PAT. Lions tight ends coach Tim Lappano ran more than halfway across the field.
''We'll send it in [to the league office],'' Mangini said. ''There was a lot of celebrating going on after the play, coaches out on the field . . . excessive celebration, I thought that was a penalty, too, but that that didn't get called. That's a 15-yard penalty, there's a big difference in the extra point.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns.
BEREA: Browns coach Eric Mangini is still disputing the pass interference call on cornerback Hank Poteat that set up the Lions' miraculous 38-37 victory Sunday.
But Lions coach Jim Schwartz said today that not only did Poteat interfere with receiver Bryant Johnson on quarterback Matthew Stafford's Hail Mary, but that receiver Calvin Johnson was interfered with, too.
Responding to Mangini's claim that Poteat was not at fault, Schwartz said, ''Well, they don't know what they're talking about and you can quote me on that. When the quarterback is still out of the pocket, there can still be pass interference. There can't be illegal contact, but there can be pass interference and when the ball is in the air, you can't make contact with the receivers. I mean, it was clear — there were more flags thrown than there were officials. When you're making contact and you're not playing the ball while the ball is in the air, it's pass interference.''
Hail Mary
A scrambling Stafford launched a Hail Mary intended for Calvin Johnson that was picked off by Browns free safety Brodney Pool with no time remaining. But after the flag on Poteat, who shoved Bryant Johnson out of bounds in the back of the end zone, the Lions got another play.
Stafford, coming back after an injury to his left shoulder, tied the game with a 1-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew and Jason Hanson won it with his extra point.
Browns strong safety Abe Elam said afterward that he was ''face in front of Calvin Johnson.''
''Not only did they interfere with Bryant [Johnson] but they interfered with Calvin [Johnson], who was trying to make the play,'' Schwartz said. ''The one guy was intercepting the ball, but the other guy is undercutting Calvin's legs.
''Any time you lose the game, you're going to be upset and look at different things, but I think that the officials handled the game well, they made good calls.''
Mangini still disagreed today with the call on Poteat. With his back to the quarterback, Poteat was facing Bryant Johnson and pushing him out of bounds, which he said was what he'd been coached to do when Stafford left the pocket.
''You're in the end zone, you're mirroring the receiver. Often times when you're in the end zone, if you look back for the ball, the guy just like in basketball is going to read away from you and get open,'' Mangini said. ''The quarterback was running around all over the place and Hank matched him. Could he have pushed him less? Yeah, he probably could have. It's really not illegal contact when the guy's out of the pocket or scrambling. But they called it.''
'We'll live with it'
When it was suggested that's not allowed when the ball is in the air, Mangini said, ''Yeah, I guess that's what they called it for. I haven't seen it, haven't been a part of it. It's their call. We'll live with it.''
Asked if Calvin Johnson could have been called for offensive pass interference on the play, Mangini said, ''That's like a big rugby scrum, guys pushing and shoving. They could call something all over the place in there.''
Mangini also believes the Lions should have been penalized for excessive celebration after Brandon Pettigrew's game-tying 1-yard TD pass, which would have tacked on 15 yards to Jason Hanson's game-winning PAT. Lions tight ends coach Tim Lappano ran more than halfway across the field.
''We'll send it in [to the league office],'' Mangini said. ''There was a lot of celebrating going on after the play, coaches out on the field . . . excessive celebration, I thought that was a penalty, too, but that that didn't get called. That's a 15-yard penalty, there's a big difference in the extra point.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 12:15 AM, 11/24/2009
This is because it was Derek Andersons fault.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:06 AM, 11/24/2009
No, it's the mayor's fault! Oh wait...
Akron, OH
Posted 08:06 AM, 11/24/2009
Does it really matter? Any good coach will tell you that they shouldn't have been in that situation in the first place. Had the offense gotten a first down, this would have never happened.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 08:29 AM, 11/24/2009
I agree with you Jon. Just take your first round draft pick and be happy with it. This season's already a wash anyway.
Canton, OH
Posted 08:40 AM, 11/24/2009
Agreed - when they were ahead 24 to 3 at one point it shouldn't have come done to the last play in the game.
That being said I think the play and call were questionable - but on the bright side the Browns will get the first draft pick.
Posted 08:47 AM, 11/24/2009
Deidre:
It would only be on the bright side if the Browns knew what to do with a top (or any) first round pick. Barring Joe Thomas, the Browns top picks have been suspect at best.
Hopefully, that will change.
Posted 08:56 AM, 11/24/2009
they proved they could not draft last year, by-passed good impact defense players for 2 second round players who continue to be inactive.
not sure I want this organization to have the number 1 pick,,, unless of course we have a change out of coaches and get somebody in who really knows what they are doing
Canton, OH
Posted 09:21 AM, 11/24/2009
riff - you have a point!
myrtle beach, sc
Posted 10:08 AM, 11/24/2009
The only news about Mangini I want to hear is that he has been replaced as coach of the Browns.
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 12:08 PM, 11/24/2009
When will Mangini get fired?
fostoria, oh
Posted 12:25 PM, 11/24/2009
mangini should be fired. but he will not until randy learner stops excepting this paranoid freaks excuses. i pray to god we have someone else making the 11 picks we have in the draft , if mangini has anything to do with those pics ill give up my season tickets. we dont need more second round draft choices not even dressing for the game.
Snydertown, OH
Posted 12:48 PM, 11/24/2009
pukesburgerr still SUCKS !!!
Port Saint Lucie, Fl
Posted 03:47 PM, 11/24/2009
Thought Ryan said he saw something in the defense he liked after the Ravens game,What? The way they tie theis shoes.I bet they went to some sort of cover two once they got the 24-3 lead.
Wait til next tear and for cryin out loud get some good football people on and off the field,I hear Marty is available.
Akron, OH
Posted 04:28 PM, 11/24/2009
To everyone calling for Mangini's firing, I say this:
I COULDN'T AGREE MORE! This jackhole has proven time and again that he's got no idea what he's doing out there. He is not cut out to be a head coach, and needs to be cut out of the Browns' coaching staff entirely.
C-town, Oh
Posted 07:02 PM, 11/24/2009
Desperation in Mangini's words. Hard to believe he took a bad team and made it worse. Much worse.
Victoria Harbour, ON
Posted 10:34 PM, 11/24/2009
Although the call was technically correct, I think pass interference can be found in every hail mary. This call only could have gone against two teams: Cleveland or Buffalo. As far as I'm concerned, Cleveland won with no time on the clock and they'll have a better draft position through all the rounds in a highly talented draft. I consider the call to be like the first sip of a really dark beer that gets better once the palette adjusts.
San Antonio, TX
Posted 02:21 AM, 11/25/2009
Comon Man!! Why waste the time and energy in critisizing the refs and the Lions players. Just move on and show some class. The game is over and the out come won't change. Please move and hire Holmgren in a leadership role and lets hope Holmgren hires Charlie Weis as the Brownies Offensive Coordinator. Weis is a genious when it comes to that portion of the game. Beside, Quinn would already know Weis's style. It is fore sure our current scoring abikity is pretty poor. Hmm, first play in just about any series is Lewis right or really mix it up and run left.
