Packers cry foul over questionable penalties
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Monday, October 6, 2008 6:23 AM CDT
GREEN BAY (AP) — Plenty of heads were shaking in the locker room after the Green Bay Packers’ 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Falling to 2-3 with a third straight defeat — the team’s first such losing streak since late in the 2006 season — had much to do with the frustration. Adding to the agitation was what some players felt was unjust treatment by the officiating crew.
“The calls, they get a little more iffy every week,’’ Packers veteran cornerback Charles Woodson said.
Green Bay was penalized nine times for 97 yards Sunday, including two infractions that came at pivotal times in the game and were argued by the offenders as being highly questionable. Rookie cornerback Pat Lee was called for pass interference when he broke up a pass along the sideline to the Falcons’ Roddy White in the second quarter.
What would have been a stop on third-and-9 deep in Atlanta territory resulted in a first down on the 20-yard penalty, which kept alive a 90-yard drive that culminated with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to White to put the Falcons ahead 17-7.
“’P-Lee,’ in my opinion, had great position, knocks the ball away and after a great effort and a little lobbying by the other team, their sideline, all of a sudden the referee throws the flag,’’ Woodson said. “Those calls, I never understand ‘em. It’s always the defensive back that gets the raw end of the deal on those type of plays. That hurts.’’
Lee didn’t plead his case on the field but felt he didn’t warrant the contact penalty.
“Yeah, in a situation like that, I was all over it and I didn’t even touch the guy,’’ Lee said.
Fellow rookie Jermichael Finley was more outraged with a penalty called on him at the end of the Packers’ ensuing possession. Finley, a tight end, was flagged for holding on a successful 43-yard field goal by Mason Crosby.
“I thought it was B.S., to tell you the truth,’’ Finley said. “It is what it is. If you play this game long enough, you’ll get some calls like that on you.’’
The 10-yard penalty forced a re-kick by Crosby from 53 yards away.
Crosby’s attempt at matching his career-long field goal as a pro, which he converted as a rookie in the season opener last year, sailed wide right.
The three points taken off the scoreboard turned out to be the difference at the end of the game.
“It’s unfortunate (to have that happen) whenever you make it,’’ Crosby said.
The Packers have been victimized by — or, perhaps, have earned — a rash of penalties this season. They came into Sunday’s game with the most penalty yards (322) and the third-most penalties (35) in the league.
Safety Nick Collins and cornerback Will Blackmon each drew an unnecessary-roughness penalty on Sunday, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers was guilty of intentional grounding late in the game and threw an interception on the next play as the Packers tried to rally.
Defensive end Aaron Kampman was careful not to be critical of the officials’ decision-making Sunday.
“Are you trying to get me in trouble or what?’’ a grinning Kampman said. “There was a couple of (debatable penalties), particularly that third down that they went in and scored a touchdown. It’s tough, a tough call. But, it is what it is, it was called, we had to play. We still had opportunities to get off the field, and we didn’t do it.’’
True grit
Teammates had high praise for Rodgers’ gritty performance.
Rodgers didn’t practice most of the week because of a sprained right shoulder and was listed as questionable going into Sunday’s game.
Packers receiver Greg Jennings arrived at Lambeau Field on Sunday morning thinking that Rodgers wouldn’t play and rookie Matt Flynn would be making his first NFL start.
“He had kept saying (all week), ‘I’m playing, I’m playing.’ We all say that,’’ Jennings said. “But I walked into the training room this morning and he told me he’s playing. I’m like, ‘Are you serious?’
“Hey, if he felt like he could play, he gives us the best chance to win.’’
Rodgers played the whole game and went 25-of-37 for 313 yards and three touchdowns.
“I knew it was hard for him. He was in a lot of pain,’’ Packers running back Ryan Grant said. “He needs to be commended for what he did. He was able to fight through that. He put us in position to win the game. He’s a true leader.’’
Ground gains
By the Packers’ sluggish standards from their first four games, they had a respectable day running the football.
Green Bay amassed 104 yards on the ground, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
The Packers came in ranked 23rd with a rushing average of 93.5 yards per game.
“I think across the board, we did a better job,’’ Grant said. “We did a better job blocking. I think I did a little bit better job running. But at the end of the day, we didn’t do enough, and that’s what counts.’’
Grant wasn’t ready to say he’s finally back at full strength after he gained 83 yards on 18 carries. The Packers’ lead back was hampered at the start of the season by lingering soreness from a hamstring injury he sustained early in training camp.
Grant was held to 20 yards in 15 carries two times in Green Bay’s last three games before Sunday.
“We’re moving forward, but at the end of the day, you want to win,’’ Grant said. “There were some good things, but we’ve got to be consistent. I’m not out here for the individual stuff. I want to win.’’
Notes
Packers LT Chad Clifton didn’t finish the game after dropping out in the third quarter with a hamstring injury. Daryn Colledge, who started at left guard, slid outside to replace Clifton. Allen Barbre went in at left guard. ... DE Michael Montgomery, making his first career start in place of injured Cullen Jenkins, left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. ... Charlie Peprah made his starting debut at safety for Green Bay. Peprah replaced Aaron Rouse, who was out with a knee injury. Rouse had started the previous two games for Atari Bigby, who has yet to return from an early-season hamstring injury. ... A.J. Hawk started at linebacker after being questionable for the game with a groin injury.
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