By now, we all know that the Lions executed a two-point conversion successfully against the Cowboys in the closing seconds of their game last Saturday. Despite celebrating after the play call, the Lions were quickly reminded why they’re scapegoat of the league.
In this instance, NFL referee Brad Allen and his crew changed the ruling on the field and marked Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker ineligible. In their ruling, they had stated that Decker didn’t report as eligible and instead, it was Lions offensive lineman Dan Skipper that reported as eligible. They even communicated that Skipper was ruled eligible.
However, there’s been photos and video evidence circulating that the Lions did everything right. Instead, it looks like Brad Allen and his team made a mistake. Despite communication before the game from Dan Campbell to the referees about a potential trick play or two, this two-point play was just assumed to be marked with Decker as ineligible.
This video was sent to NFL head coaches and GMs from the league regarding players with ineligible numbers reporting as eligible: https://t.co/zjZo99KaYe
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 2, 2024
Yesterday, Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network posted about communication that was sent from the NFL to head coaches and general managers. This communication was a video centered on the controversial finish between the Lions and the Cowboys.
Looking at the evidence the last several days, it’s becoming laughable at the little credibility being taken by the NFL and the officials after the outcome of this game. So since they simply want to blame the Lions, let’s review the evidence and talk this one out.
In the process, it appears to me that Dan Skipper isn’t checking into the game as eligible or ineligible. Instead, he’s indicating some type of strong or heavy package for the offense with how he’s flexing his left arm. Meanwhile, the head official, Brad Allen has his back to Skipper and just about the entire Lions offense.
To ensure we’re not losing our minds, the play above is what was called by Detroit for the 12:50 check-in from Dan Skipper. The Lions come out in their ’12’ personnel (one running back and two tight ends) but with Skipper playing as a tight end rather than an offensive lineman, it would be signaled as some type of “heavy” formation or personnel. That’s what it appeared to be in the picture from the NFL and when you watch the play, it appears to be just that.
The Lions run some type of Duo concept. The right guard and center combo block the defensive tackle that is heads up over the right guard and is aligned in a 2-technique. This play is designed for the running back to read the inside linebacker so he can bend, bang or bounce the run.
While the play wasn’t successful and was defended well by the Cowboys, it just goes to show that Skipper was the last man on the line-of-scrimmage (LOS). Tight end Sam LaPorta is off-the-line but both players are technically eligible to run routes. However, the photo and All-22 clip is just some of the evidence showing what the Lions did on that particular play.
Lastly, here’s the next example used by the NFL. It’s one of the final plays of the game and it’s the two-point play that the Lions used. Looking at the image above, we can see the exact same motion from Dan Skipper as he’s highlighted.
He’s jogging onto the field and is flexing his left arm. Again, that appears to be a signal for a “heavy” package. Just like the previous image, a wide receiver comes off the field. On the play above, it’s not Reynolds coming off the field but instead, it’s Kalif Raymond.
Additionally, I want you to look at referee Brad Allen on the far right of the picture. He’s looking at a group of Lions players and if you look close enough, you can see Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker staring at Allen. Seconds later, not only is Taylor Decker giving the signal to Allen but Dan Skipper and Penei Sewell are all present for this exchange to Allen. Why is that important?
According to the video released by the NFL, their rule is stated as the following, “clearly communicated to the referee by both a physical signal up and down his chest and to report to the referee his intention to report as an eligible receiver.”
My questions are simple. For starters, what else is Decker, Skipper and Sewell supposed to do? They’ve all played the tackle-eligible roles for the Lions in their career. Decker has caught two touchdowns in his career in the exact same role and position he played against the Cowboys. Last season, Sewell caught a nine-yard pass against the Vikings and Skipper has played all over for the Lions on offense.
Next, can we just make these referees full-time employees? It’s a billion dollar industry being ran like it’s a Dollar General. There’s 16 games a week with 7 officials per game, not per team but per game. Pay them accordingly and be done with this foolishness.
Lastly, can we stop using the Lions as the examples of the league? I know that Brad Allen reported “number 70 as eligible” but it’s quite clear he made a mistake. We all make mistakes but how is a mistake like this acceptable? Especially with all this technology we have for sports today. We can cut to a hundred commercials in a game and put cameras in the pylons but we can’t pull the audio from a referee that’s wearing a microphone the entire game?
Changes won’t be made this season but moving forward, they will. There will be changes made to support everyone else but for now, the Lions and their fan base have to live with the reality of “what if” as their potential reign towards the top of the NFC could be blemished by controversy.
