Para-RE-lax; Why Challenging FG Attempt Would Be Impossible.

During the divisional playoff game between the Patriots and Jets, kicker Nick Folk missed a 30 yard field goal wide left. This led to numerous replays of the kick and prompted CBS announcer, and renowned idiot, Phil Simms to say that Rex Ryan should challenge the call on the field. Little did Phil Simms know that there is a scientific explanation for why a challenge of a missed field goal would be impossible.

There is a reason that the referees who call a field goal good or no good are stationed directly underneath the goalposts. The reasoning for this can can be visibly displayed by the picture below. Imagine that there are two observers looking at the tower in the distance. Being in one position over the other makes the nearby lamppost appear to move relative to the distant tower. This would mean that an observer of a field goal that wasn't directly under the goalposts would have a skewed view of the attempt.


Believe it or not this issue ties back to the magical "Cardiac Cats" of 2009. After finally vanquishing the Steelers at PBS curse, the Bengals were on the road in Cleveland. The games last drive saw Carson Palmer scramble to convert a 4th and long to set up a game winning Shayne Graham field goal in overtime. The Bengals had been brutal in the kicking game all day including a bad snap and blocked extra point that would have won the game in regulation. Graham's kick was ruled good, but not without backlash from Cleveland fans and Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Numerous youtube videos like the one below were made by mouth breathing Browns fans all throughout the cesspool known as Cleveland.


From the explanation above, it becomes clear that the fans at home did not have the best perspective of the field goal attempt. Below is a picture of a typical Cleveland fan watching the game at home, and two refs in position to call the field goal good or no good. Deep analysis of the picture below leads me to believe that we should trust the refs judgment. Needless to say even some Bengals fans, like my crazy divorced uncle, believes the field goal was no good. Hopefully this analysis can put the issue to rest.


The only people on the field, or at home, who can make the correct call on a field goal attempt are the two referees under the goal post. Until the NFL decides to put two cameras directly under the goalposts, challenges will be impossible. And until this happens we will have to suffer through Phil Simms asking for challenges on field goal attempts, while Enrico Fermi rolls over in his grave.

Mission Statement/Credo

We seek to espouse rational and forward thought, sound analysis, and calm and intelligent discussion with regard to the Cincinnati Bengals management, players and organization.

We pray to the football gods to grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change. Mike Brown is the owner of the team, he is not stepping down and we should accept it. However, we should pass judgment on any part of the organization when it has failed. We will do this to the best of our abilities using the tenets we have stated above.