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Bruce Arians had choice words about controversial block, missed chip-shot FG

It’s rare we discuss a second-quarter field-goal attempt as one of the more controversial plays in a big rivalry game, but then again 6-6 ties are pretty damned rare in the NFL, too.

So we look back to the kick that was tried a whopping 58-plus minutes before this strange game between the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals ended on Sunday night. It looked like a spectacular effort from Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner, who leaped over the line and blocked Chandler Catanzaro’s 38-yard attempt with his chest.

Now comes the weird part: interpreting the NFL rule book. Rule 12.3.1.(s) of the Tome of Esoteric Ambiguity states that the following is illegal:

“Running forward and leaping in an obvious attempt to block a field goal or Try Kick and landing on players, unless the leaping player was originally lined up on the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped.”

So, you be the judge: Did Wagner “land” on the long snapper? He certainly touched him, grazing Aaron Brewer’s back while vaulting him. But that’s one of those judgment calls that falls into the same category as pass interference or catch/no catch, which is to say, “who in the heck knows?”

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians was not pleased with the second quarter field-goal block. (AP)
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians was not pleased with the second quarter field-goal block. (AP)

A flag was thrown, and a referee chat ensued. The flag eventually was picked up. Nothing to see here! It was not called anything. The block stood, and we were treated to a more-punts-than-points stalemate. Additionally, Arians tried to challenge the play, but as it was a judgment call and not subject to review, the Cardinals were charged a timeout, which would hinder them later. A double blow.

NFL senior vice president of officiating Dean Blandino immediately responded on Twitter that the play was legal and called correctly.

We might not know the rules as clearly or what happened exactly, but Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians knows one thing about the play in question. Whatever official answer he gets from the league on this this week, he’s not going to be pleased.

His stream-of-consciousness thoughts on the matter:

“[Wagner] touched him. You saw it. Did you see it? Didn’t he touch him? Yeah, he sure did. It sure looked like it to me, but it was not ruled that way, same with the last one. He definitely touched him. I’m sure I’ll talk to the league and we’ll get some kind of explanation that is all [expletive], like normal.”

OK, that “last one” Arians mentioned? In theory it had a greater effect on the outcome of the game. With 3:26 left in overtime, Catanzaro had a chance at redemption: a 24-yard chippy that’s 9 yards shorter than an extra-point try, which is more than a 90-percent make for these guys.

Once more Wagner jumped over the center, but he missed blocking the ball. But Catanzaro doinked it off the left upright in a stunning miss. Seahawks kicker Steven “Whatever His Name Is” Hauschka did Catanzaro a favor by missing a layup of his own thereafter, but the fact remains that the Cardinals missed a golden opportunity to win in a game that felt more like a loss than a tie.

Arians was nonplussed, of course. He relayed to the media what he told his kicker.

“Make it,” Arians said. “He’s a professional. This ain’t high school, baby. You get paid to make it.”

Indeed, one does. But the NFL also gets its money by making the game clearly and fairly officiated, and it will be interesting to hear the response from Blandino has — not only to what Arians said but whether there was any misinterpretation of the rules.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!