R 83 Shawn Hochuli 1 WC, 4 DIV U 77 Terry Killens first playoff game, first year eligible DJ 53 Sarah Thomas 3 DIV LJ 68 Tom Stephan 5 WC, 2 DIV, 1 CC FJ 50 Aaron Santi 1 WC, 3 DIV, 1 CC SJ 103 Eugene Hall 3 WC, 3 DIV, 2 CC, LIII BJ 105 Dino Paganelli 2 WC, 8 DIV, 2 CC, XLVII
ALT R 23 Jerome Boger 1 WC*, 4 DIV, XLVII ALT U 102 Bruce Stritesky 6 WC†, 3 DIV, 1 CC ALT LJ 75 Mark Stewart 1 WC* ALT FJ 15 Rick Patterson 8 WC, 7 DIV, 2 CC, XXXVII, XXXIX ALT BJ 119 Greg Wilson 6 WC*, 2 DIV, 1 CC
Replay official: Roddy Ames Replay assistant: Alton James
This is great footage of how wing officials mark a spot and then go out of bounds in case there is trouble brewing.
Down judge Sarah Thomas marks the spot but sees potential trouble out of bounds. So, she drops her bean bag at progress spot, then goes out of bounds to make sure things stay peaceful.
Side judge Eugene Hall assists Thomas and umpire Terry Killens covers Thomas' bean bag - so no one "accidentally" kicks the bag and the officials lose the spot.
Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead was flagged for lowering his head to initiate contact on Saints receiver Emmanuel Sanders but the replay doesn't show any helmet contact to the receiver. Based on the trajectory of the flag, it appears it came from the back judge.
Another great run back by the Saints, but this one was brought back for a block in the back. The wrong number was announced initially, but the Saints blocker puts both hands on the opponent's numbers and right as the Saints returner goes by so this is a good call.
The Saints were flagged for a neutral-zone infraction which killed the snap. Tom Brady was angry that he wanted the play to go off, because the pass was completed as players were easing up.
Had the Saints not drawn a reaction from the offense, this can be a defensive offside call that allows the play to continue. (There are other exceptions, so it's not always the case.) But, when the offense reacts, it gets players in differing states of readiness, and so the snap is killed. Had the offense made the movement, it would be a false start and the snap nullified, so the NZI is essentially an induced false start charged against the defense.
Hochuli: 3.8 - strong performance, good presence and rose to the occasion Killens: 3.9 - First playoff game. He will be a regular. He's that good. Thomas: 3.8 - Showed good mechanics, judgement and presence. Stephan: 3.9 - Excellent mechanics and good calls. Is his season over? Santi: 3.9 - Good poise, judgement and mechanics. I think we'll see him in three weeks. Hall: 3.8 - Good sense to pick up a UNR flag. Worked well with Thomas. Paganelli: 3.8 - A typical excellent playoff performance for the veteran.
CREW: 3.84 - A strong performance by the officials tonight.
