Friday, October 31, 2003
League admits to officiating miscues

Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS -- The NFL has informed Saints coaches that officials made
three critical incorrect calls -- all costly to the Saints -- in New
Orleans' 23-20 overtime loss to Carolina last Sunday.

The first blown call would have, if correct, given the Saints a 2-0
lead. On Carolina's first possession, Jake Delhomme threw a backhanded
pass out of his own end zone as he was being brought down.

Referee Mike Carey, the crew chief, initially threw a flag, but then
picked it up, ruling that an eligible receiver was in the vicinity. In a
post-game report, officials admitted there was no eligible receiver in
the area of the incompletion and the play should have resulted in a
safety.

The next mistake led directly to a Panthers go-ahead touchdown late in
the fourth quarter. Saints cornerback Fred Thomas was called for
defensive pass interference against Walter Young on the play, but
officials admitted that Young initiated the contact by pulling Thomas'
helmet. Instead of a first-and-goal at the Saints' 18, the Panthers had
a first-and-goal at the 1. On the next play, Stephen Davis scored the
go-ahead touchdown.

Then in overtime, officials said Panthers linebacker Lester Townes
should have been called for defensive holding when he tackled running
back Deuce McAllister in pass coverage on the Saints' second play of
overtime. No penalty was called, and quarterback Aaron Brooks scrambled
for a 2-yard gain. The infraction would have given the Saints an
automatic first down at the Carolina 38-yard line. Instead, they faced a
third-and-5 at the Carolina 41. New Orleans reached the 37 on third down
but failed to convert a fourth-and-1, setting up Carolina's winning
drive.

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