| | JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A play in the Monday night game
between Denver and Jacksonville demonstrated the fallibility of the
NFL's new instant replay system.
Late in the second quarter, Jacksonville defensive lineman Tony
Brackens sacked Denver quarterback Brian Griese and forced a fumble
that was recovered by Jaguars linebacker Bryce Paup inside the
Broncos 20.
Thinking Griese's arm had been going forward at the time of the
fumble, referee Gerry Austin blew the whistle and signaled an
incomplete pass.
Jacksonville coach Tom Coughlin asked for a review of the play,
and Austin agreed that Griese had fumbled.
But because the whistle had blown before Paup recovered,
officials had to award the ball to Denver back at the spot of the
fumble.
NFL observer Bill Swanson said if the whistle blows while the
ball is on the ground, the ball belongs to the team that last had
possession.
"That was frustrating. So many of these are," Coughlin said
after the Jaguars' 27-24 victory. "Many times, it's either down by
contact or the whistle blew. This was one wrong that was not
righted, and obviously would have made a huge difference."
Denver was forced to punt two plays later, but the error still
cost the Jaguars 43 yards in field position. | |
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