Because of the issues discusseed in a thread opened by whormoan (which now has disappeared in the wake of the Pinnacle story) about New Orleans being the feel-good team this season, and the Nfl's sorry record of using officiating in playoff games to help the best story line teams into the Super Bowl.
Reid's team could be in danger of bad calls. He doesn't have to make the same kind of direct attack on NFL officiating as Billick did a few years back, to bring about a desired result, but he could say something like this, which should not get him fined:
Something like: "I know that the Saints are a great story this year, and we all congratulate them on their performance. However, contrary to what others may think, I'm confident that the game offciiating will be professional and unbiased."
Of course, Reid is, I think, like Dungy once described himself, "a league guy," so he'll likely remain silent. And maybe, just maybe, in light of the big stink last year about clearly biased officiating to help first the Colts into the SB (still failed) and then the Steelers win it, maybe they've learned their lesson.
If I can find the whormoan thread i;ll bump it up. (and then withdraw my money at Pinny!)
Reid's team could be in danger of bad calls. He doesn't have to make the same kind of direct attack on NFL officiating as Billick did a few years back, to bring about a desired result, but he could say something like this, which should not get him fined:
Something like: "I know that the Saints are a great story this year, and we all congratulate them on their performance. However, contrary to what others may think, I'm confident that the game offciiating will be professional and unbiased."
Of course, Reid is, I think, like Dungy once described himself, "a league guy," so he'll likely remain silent. And maybe, just maybe, in light of the big stink last year about clearly biased officiating to help first the Colts into the SB (still failed) and then the Steelers win it, maybe they've learned their lesson.
If I can find the whormoan thread i;ll bump it up. (and then withdraw my money at Pinny!)