I actually understand that roughing call
The referee---Dreith---was set up where refs always set up. About 5 yards behind and to the right of the QB. But, Stabler being a lefthanded QB, he was on the blind side of the play. Hamilton shot the gap to his right and was coming in on Stabler's left. As Stabler tried to throw, Hamilton tried to hit his arm, and Hamilton's arm landed on Stabler's left shoulder pad. But from where Dreith was set up, on the blind side, it looked like Hamilton delivered a forearm to the Snake's head.
That was a judgment call that was called from the perspective from which is was seen--the tuck call was the correct call under the existing rule. It's part of the game. Happens at least once in every post-season. One team benefits from the call and moves on, the other goes home and their fans b!itch about it for seasons to come
Threaded Mode