Lots of e-mail this morning, much of it centering on the Steelers' win yesterday, including the call at the end that allowed them to rally past the Ravens, and my column this morning.
-- E.V. wrote about Santonio Holmes' controversial touchdown catch, a play and subsequent replay reversal that's sure to be talked about for quite awhile, especially if the Steelers are able to lock up homefield advantage in the AFC.
"John, since when does it matter where the ball is when you have both feet in the end zone and control of the ball? If it’s in the back or side of the end zone they never question the location of the ball, it’s control and position of the both feet. How many touchdowns have we seen where the receiver is falling out of bounds with the ball out side of the end zone. If both feet are down in the end zone it’s a touchdown. The fact that it was in the front of the end zone should not matter. If his feet are inbounds but not in the end zone, than the ball has to cross the plain of the goal line. Holme’s clearly had control of the ball and both feet in the end zone. I believe you are wrong on that call."
E.V., My understanding after researching it a little is that a catch made along the side or back of the end zone is different because the ball would have crossed the plane of the goal line already. In other words, if a receiver catches a pass and gets both feet down along the side or back of the end zone, it's a touchdown because he has possession after the ball has crossed the plane (front) of the end zone. Holmes' catch was along the front of the end zone, meaning the ball needs to break the plane, regardless of where his feet come down (as long as they are in bounds). It's the same as when a ball carrier falls forward and reaches out with the ball, which crosses the plane of the end zone and the officials rule it a touchdown, even though no part of his body is in the end zone. It's where the ball is that is critical.
Check out Mike Florio's column this morning on The Sporting News Web site in which he cites the rule that specifically addresses this sort of situation.
I think I have this right but I am going to continue to research it. Thanks for the note.
-- M.S.B. wrote to take issue with Monday's column, in which I said the Steelers are the Super Bowl favorites right now because they are both lucky and good. His note is below:
"The Steelers are anything but lucky. As an Erie native living in Cleveland I would expect a column like the one you wrote today, 12/15, from the writers at the Plain Dealer. The Steelers have the number one defense in the NFL, is that luck?!! They have the hardest schedule in the HISTORY of the league as reported on this mornings edition of SportsCenter. You don't beat the teams they have played on luck. You did mention they are good. That my friend is where you should have stopped!
I am on my way back to Cleveland and will no doubt have to silence those haters who will complain about the Holmes touchdown reversal by replay, who still by the way complain about Big Ben's touchdown in Super Bowl XL. If only they worried as much about their sorry franchise. I say you make your own luck in the NFL.
See you at the Super Bowl!"
M.S.B.,
I would agree that the Steelers have a great defense and have made the plays when they needed to offensively for most of the season. But I think they have had their fair share of good fortune, too. As well as they have played defensively, the interception by Deshea Townsend against the Cowboys really wasn't a great defensive play.
It was Jason Witten slipping on a cut and Tony Romo throwing the ball before he made his break. Townsend just happened to be there, and it won the Steelers the game.
My point is that to win a Super Bowl you have to have some luck, even if you are really good. (The Patriots were really god last year, but weren't lucky on a couple of key plays in the Super Bowl.) There has been some talk in the Steelers locker room during the past couple of home games about this being a team of "destiny," much like the 2005 team was. I believe you can equate destiny with luck, at least to some degree. I covered every home game and every playoff game of that Super Bowl run, and although the Steelers played very well, they also got lucky, including some of the calls that went their way in the Super Bowl.
Don't take it the wrong way. I am not a Steelers fan (Eagles fan, sadly, since childhood), but I really have a lot of respect for the franchise and I have been a supporter of Mike Tomlin, even when some Steelers fans have tried to say he's not a good fit.
Enjoy the playoff run, and I'm rooting for the Steelers to get to Tampa so I can (hopefully) cover another Super Bowl (and pack my golf clubs this time!).
-- Reader W.J. wrote with a question about quarterback ratings, which is something that seems create confusion with a lot of people, and understandably so.
Here is his question: "Please explain how the NFL QB rating is determined. What factors are considered, etc. Thanks for your help."
W.J., QB efficiency rating is a calculated using pass attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns and interceptions. If you Google "quarterback rating calculator" you will find several sites that allow you to plug in stats to see what a QB efficiency rating would be for a high school, college and NFL player.
Here is one link.
-- John Dudley