We're talking about "Holy crap, that was one hell of a hit... oh wait, he didn't have the ball" type interference

Recently I bashed NFL networks Mike Mayock a little for some analysis that he did. Today I just watched a couple of videos on NFL.com that re-affirmed why, overall, I think he's top notch. Basically it revolves around two plays; Jabari Greers interception against the Falcons, and Leonard Weavers TD run against the Giants. The point he made was that in both cases the play had a big effect on the game, and in both cases, the plays should have been scrubbed by penalties. Now first up let me point out that this is not an argument or attack on the referees. The NFL is, at least in my opinion, one of the leading sports in the world for officiating. We now have several umpires dotted around the field (though I wish they'd remove the official from amongst the linebackers), there are TV replays, booth reviews inside of 2 mins and coaches have the challenge ability as well. Compared to the officiating of many other sports, and in particular I'm levelling my finger at Soccer in Europe, the officiating in the NFL is exceptional. But still, humans are humans, mistakes will be made. And so it was that the Saints got away with pass interference and the Eagles got away with holding. In the Eagles case it was Brent Celek who got a reasonably blatant hold of, I believe, Justin Tuck. This prevented Tuck making a tackle that would have stuffed the play for no gain. That's how much of a swing we're talking about. No gain compared to a touchdown. And that has an affect on teams. It has an affect on defenses and coaches. It affects the outcome of the game. And it's why I'm still a little apprehensive about the Eagles rushing attack. The next is gonna seem like pure bullying. I pick on the Saints every week it seems. But hey, if you wanna be the best 1) expect everyone to be taking shots at you and 2) expect to have to prove it on a regular basis. And what Mike Mayock proved was that Greer's interception was the result of nothing shorter than blatant pass interference. Not by Greer (I forget who it was). But it was blatant. Honestly, we're not talking about "now, does that level of contact constitute interference" type interference. We're talking about "Holy crap, that was one hell of a hit... oh wait, he didn't have the ball" type interference. And without it and the resulting pick 6 it created, we finish with a tie game. So what is this all in aid of? Nothing more really than a rant. Just to point out that the Saints aren't all they're being made out to be and the Eagles rushing attack may well collapse this week. Oh and yeah, there was some love on NFL Total Access for Darren Sharper. And yeah, it included the jump ball interception. And no, no-one gave Tracy Porter, Greer or Randall Gay the credit they deserve. It's all about the numbers. Which is why NFL scouts end up picking some real duds. (*cough* JaMarcus Russell *cough*)