Make no mistake, the New Orleans Saints and the fans will be back for retribution in 2019. Word just came down that the NFL passed a new rule for 2019 regarding being able to review offensive and defensive pass interference calls. This rule addition will allow both offensive and defensive pass interference to be reviewed in 2019. Coaches will have two challenges per game (a third will be earned if a coach is successful on their first two challenges), pertaining to pass interference, both for flagged plays and missed calls. The replay booth, along with the NFL’s officiating office, will initiate all reviews/challenges in the final two minutes of each half.
The rule is a start, but don’t think this rule makes Saints players, coaches or fans feel better about what occurred inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 20th, 2019. That violation was an “Intentional Interference” perpetrated by cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman in front of the world.
Revisiting NFC Championship Game No Call
That was then and this is now. Finally, on March 26th, 2019 such a flagrantly missed pass interference call can never happen again. At least for now.
A few months ago, The Los Angeles Rams went on to the Super Bowl while Who Dat Nation was left with nothing. Eventually, a return to that very same spot where the crime was committed will be revisited. When the Saints kickoff the 2019 season, most of the NFL faithful won’t remember or even care, but the black and gold will still be looking for vigilante justice.
Some of the definitions of vigilante are: 1. Any person who takes the law into his or her own hands, as by avenging the crime. 2. Done violently and summarily, without recourse to lawful procedures.
Of course, Saints fans wanting “vigilante justice” is not meant to be taken literally. However, there will be consequences.
Broken Dreams in one Second
The Saints were robbed, beaten, and left for dead. The press conference after the game had the feel of a real life funeral. Literally, there was tears shed by many. Fans were confused and sickened. Boycotts of Super Bowl Sunday was the norm in New Orleans. The anger deepened when Roger Goodell fell silent. Nothing could compare to the anger coming out of the city of New Orleans for a sporting event. No precedent existed. The reaction was silent from the NFL. Saints fans had to simply fight through it alone.
All of the excuses weren’t worth two cents. Roger Goodell decided to ignore it all. And the league sat on this malfeasance until this very day. After a long painful road of wanting change it finally happened. The rule has been changed,at least for 2019.
NFL Hides From the Truth
The NFL finally, kind of, sort of, made this right. But even though this rule should keep this egregious error from happening again, the damage was already done. The NFL failed the New Orleans Saints and their fans. The Rams got away with what should have been an obvious pass interference call and Saints fans felt abandoned by the NFL.
But the story isn’t over just yet. The 2019 Saints are coming back with a renewed motivation. Coming up short is one thing, but feeling like it was taken away from you is another. Beware of the black and gold this year. This time around, the Saints shall not be taken advantage of.
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