After Further Review: Alledged comments have league ‘looking into the matter’

The Ravens-Bears game ended 5 hours and 16 minutes after it started. After waiting out a nearly two-hour weather delay, the game headed into overtime. Gene Steratore prepares for the overtime coin toss which thankfully did not stick in the mud [Image: Baltimore Ravens photo].

• Quick calls for Week 11 [Football Zebras]
• Trent Williams alleges umpire Roy Ellison used a profane putdown during the game. [CSN/DC video]
• Washington’s designated pool reporter “followed league protocol for obtaining a comment from the referee, who serves as a spokesman for his crew.” Coleman had boarded a bus when approached by the pool reporter: “Coleman came to the window and asked how he could help me. I repeated Williams’ comments, and asked him to comment on whether that occurred. He said OK, then directed the driver to roll up the window.” [Tarik El-Bashir, CSN/DC]
• A league spokeman told Football Zebras “We are aware of Trent Williams’ comments and are looking into the matter.” Unanswered: Taking out the profanity, if Ellison allegedly says Williams was “disrespectful,” what did Williams say?
• Soldier Field scoreboard: “Attention: Please clear the stadium seating area and relocate to the nearest covered concourse. Please remain calm and leave the seating area in an orderly fashion.” [baltimoreravens.com]
• Fans in the upper deck were unable to evacuate to the crowded concourses and “waited in the stands for more than 30 minutes” [Melissa Harris, Chi Tribune]
• “It wasn’t just stray ponchos and concession-stand trash swirling around Soldier Field … penalty flags also were flying everywhere”. [Dan Weiderer, Chi Tribune]
• Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco “was upset in overtime that the officials didn’t call pass interference on third down” [Jamison Hensley, ESPN]
• A key 49ers fumble recovery was nullified by a roughing the passer penalty. “It could be called both ways, but with the way the NFL has committed to protecting the quarterback, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that it was flagged.” [Nate Scott, FTW/USAT]
• Jaguars should have had a challenge flag pickup, not a challenge flag penalty. “These are the types of plays that drive me nuts. It was not a judgment call, but was a rules-based decision that the officials and replay official should never have allowed.” [Mike Pereira, Fox Sports]
• “Strange calls by officials befuddle both sidelines” in Jaguars-Cardinals game. [Kent Somers, AZ Republic]
• Justin Babin of the Jaguars pulled the hair of  Cardinals running back Andre Ellington. Said hair was briefly in Babin’s possession and was apparently returned to Ellison in what looks an awful lot like a police evidence bag.

Good news – Andre Ellington got his hair back after all #AZvsJAX pic.twitter.com/MWlbVHLRBg

— MarkDalton (@CardsMarkD) November 17, 2013