For fear of being hit with a hefty fine from the league office, 49ers coach Mike Nolan wanted no part of answering the question. He had no comment Thursday when I asked about the officiating in the past two games.
But multiple sources have confirmed that the league admitted the 49ers were victimized by several bad calls in recent losses to the Ravens and Giants.
Nolan was none too pleased with the officiating after the 49ers' game against the Steelers earlier this season. That game was highlighted by referee Gerry Austin's incomplete ruling (after a replay challenge) of a deep pass to Vernon Davis. The following day, Nolan spoke out about the league's lack of accountability when it comes to game officials.
"The NFL coaches and players are held accountable to a very high standard and level of performance," Nolan said during a Sept. 24 press conference. "When we do not meet those standards, we are criticized by the media, fans, and general public. That criticism makes us better. . . . I am suggesting that we hold everyone accountable to the same standards because that's what makes the NFL great. It's not a job for just anyone."
(By the way, NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira sided with Austin that the incomplete call on the pass to Davis was the correct ruling.)
* * *
The NFL declined comment on the officiating from the 49ers' games against the Ravens and Giants.
"Dialogue between clubs and our officiating department is confidential," NFL senior vice president of public relations Greg Aiello responded in an email.
* * *
The only known bad call from the Giants game occurred early in the third quarter. The play after Ashley Lelie caught his 47-yard pass, the 49ers tried another pass down the field.
On that play, which began at the Giants' 26-yard line, tight end Delanie Walker was covered by Giants strongside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka. Trent Dilfer's pass to Walker at the left sideline was incomplete at the 8-yard line - mostly because Kiwanuka clumsily ran into Walker with his back to the ball.
No penalty flag was thrown on the play. The head of that crew was referee Ron Winter, in his 13th NFL season.
"That was shocking to me," said Walker, who protested briefly. "The ref said it was uncatchable. But I could've caught it if he (Kiwanuka) didn't run dead into me."
The 49ers were trailing 19-7 at the time. They would've had a first-and-goal inside the 10-yard line. Three plays later, Dilfer was sacked on the play that resulted in Osi Umenyiora's fumble return for a touchdown.
* * *
There were several bad calls from the Oct. 7 game against the Ravens, sources said. The 49ers lost 9-7. Referee Bill Leavy's crew worked that game.
At least two calls came on special teams, in which the Ravens were not called for illegal blocks in the back on punt returns. Field position was a major factor in the outcome.
The biggest call that went against the 49ers happened in the first quarter. In a scoreless game, the Ravens were awarded a 32-yard pass-interference penalty on 49ers cornerback Shawntae Spencer, who had good coverage on Derrick Mason. Spencer turned to look for the ball and appeared to bat it away in textbook fashion. However, a flag came flying in from behind the play.
If the third-down play had been ruled correctly as an incomplete pass, the Ravens would have punted from their own 4-yard line.
The Ravens did not get another first down on that drive. But with the field position gained from the penalty, the Ravens' punt landed at the 49ers' 6-yard line. After an exchange of punts, the Ravens ended up kicking a field goal for a 3-0 lead.
"My coaches told me they'd send that one in," Spencer said. "That's just the way it goes. You win some, you lose some."
* * *
Was the officiating the reason the 49ers lost those games? Certainly, those weren't the only reasons. In the case of the Ravens game, those calls arguably probably played some role. However, good teams must find a way to overcome officiating blunders.
The 49ers aren't there, yet.
"It doesn't matter," Walker said. "We can't leave room to let a ref's call decide whether we win or lose."
But multiple sources have confirmed that the league admitted the 49ers were victimized by several bad calls in recent losses to the Ravens and Giants.
Nolan was none too pleased with the officiating after the 49ers' game against the Steelers earlier this season. That game was highlighted by referee Gerry Austin's incomplete ruling (after a replay challenge) of a deep pass to Vernon Davis. The following day, Nolan spoke out about the league's lack of accountability when it comes to game officials.
"The NFL coaches and players are held accountable to a very high standard and level of performance," Nolan said during a Sept. 24 press conference. "When we do not meet those standards, we are criticized by the media, fans, and general public. That criticism makes us better. . . . I am suggesting that we hold everyone accountable to the same standards because that's what makes the NFL great. It's not a job for just anyone."
(By the way, NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira sided with Austin that the incomplete call on the pass to Davis was the correct ruling.)
* * *
The NFL declined comment on the officiating from the 49ers' games against the Ravens and Giants.
"Dialogue between clubs and our officiating department is confidential," NFL senior vice president of public relations Greg Aiello responded in an email.
* * *
The only known bad call from the Giants game occurred early in the third quarter. The play after Ashley Lelie caught his 47-yard pass, the 49ers tried another pass down the field.
On that play, which began at the Giants' 26-yard line, tight end Delanie Walker was covered by Giants strongside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka. Trent Dilfer's pass to Walker at the left sideline was incomplete at the 8-yard line - mostly because Kiwanuka clumsily ran into Walker with his back to the ball.
No penalty flag was thrown on the play. The head of that crew was referee Ron Winter, in his 13th NFL season.
"That was shocking to me," said Walker, who protested briefly. "The ref said it was uncatchable. But I could've caught it if he (Kiwanuka) didn't run dead into me."
The 49ers were trailing 19-7 at the time. They would've had a first-and-goal inside the 10-yard line. Three plays later, Dilfer was sacked on the play that resulted in Osi Umenyiora's fumble return for a touchdown.
* * *
There were several bad calls from the Oct. 7 game against the Ravens, sources said. The 49ers lost 9-7. Referee Bill Leavy's crew worked that game.
At least two calls came on special teams, in which the Ravens were not called for illegal blocks in the back on punt returns. Field position was a major factor in the outcome.
The biggest call that went against the 49ers happened in the first quarter. In a scoreless game, the Ravens were awarded a 32-yard pass-interference penalty on 49ers cornerback Shawntae Spencer, who had good coverage on Derrick Mason. Spencer turned to look for the ball and appeared to bat it away in textbook fashion. However, a flag came flying in from behind the play.
If the third-down play had been ruled correctly as an incomplete pass, the Ravens would have punted from their own 4-yard line.
The Ravens did not get another first down on that drive. But with the field position gained from the penalty, the Ravens' punt landed at the 49ers' 6-yard line. After an exchange of punts, the Ravens ended up kicking a field goal for a 3-0 lead.
"My coaches told me they'd send that one in," Spencer said. "That's just the way it goes. You win some, you lose some."
* * *
Was the officiating the reason the 49ers lost those games? Certainly, those weren't the only reasons. In the case of the Ravens game, those calls arguably probably played some role. However, good teams must find a way to overcome officiating blunders.
The 49ers aren't there, yet.
"It doesn't matter," Walker said. "We can't leave room to let a ref's call decide whether we win or lose."
