NFL

Holmgren expects NFL fine, says 'I messed up'

By wire services
Published December 1, 2005

KIRKLAND, Wash. - Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday he "kind of messed up" when he said the NFL told him there were officiating mistakes made during last Sunday's overtime win over the New York Giants.

"I think it's kind of a tempest in a teapot," Holmgren said near the end of a news conference. "I kind of messed up. What I should have said was, "I talked to the league, but what was said was confidential."'

Holmgren said he expected the league to fine him for breaching its confidentiality agreement between teams and the NFL officiating department regarding on-field decisions.

On Monday, when asked whether he had heard from the league on two of the Giants' touchdown calls during Seattle's 24-21 win, Holmgren said he was told "there were some mistakes that took place, which we felt at the time."

On Tuesday, the NFL issued the following statement: "Our officiating department never discussed with the Seahawks the Amani Toomer touchdown reception, which was properly called. The Jeremy Shockey touchdown catch at the end of the first half was not overturned because the referee determined that there was insufficient visual evidence to reverse the call."

Coaches routinely send disputed video to the league. The officiating department reviews them and sends a confidential response, but it's usually nothing more than an apology because results aren't changed. Those communications are normally not made public, though Holmgren has disclosed them before without a league response.

DOLPHINS DISPUTE: Some Miami players said Wednesday the NFL told coach Nick Saban there were errors on two penalties against the secondary in Sunday's victory at Oakland.

Saban seemed to imply the league apologized, although he didn't confirm it.

"When these things continually come back as, "It probably shouldn't have been called, it really was an interception, it wasn't pass interference,' it gets a little frustrating," the coach said.

Asked if that meant the league apologized, Saban said: "No, it is not fair to say anything. I am not trying to create controversy with the league."

NFL spokesman Steve Alic said Saban was not fined by the league for his outburst at officials during the game or for comments made after the game.

As for mistakes by officials, Alic had no comment. "Any discussion of calls is between the league and the club only," he said.

Deion defends Irvin, T.O.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Ravens cornerback Deion Sanders has come to the defense of Michael Irvin and Terrell Owens.

Irvin, the former Cowboys receiver who played five seasons with Sanders, was charged Friday with possession of drug paraphernalia found during a traffic stop. He has repeatedly said the marijuana pipe found in his car belonged to a longtime friend with a drug problem whom he was trying to help out.

"Michael Irvin is totally innocent," Sanders said. "I know the whole situation and it isn't what it seemed. He was really trying to look out for one of his friends. I know the guy personally that he took the paraphernalia off."

In 1996, Irvin pleaded no contest to felony cocaine possession. He also was arrested on drug possession charges in 2000, but they were later dropped.

"From his history, we were able to jump to conclusions and we shouldn't do that at all times," Sanders said. "This is a country that says we're innocent until proven guilty, but it seems like it's the direct opposite."

Sanders also criticized the Eagles for their handling of the outspoken Owens.

"Yeah, he may have made a mistake and said something about his quarterback but so what? Let's move on. People talk about people everyday, but that doesn't mean you should be able to take away my livelihood."

COLTS: Running back Ran Carthon was released after he had carries in only three games. To fill his spot, the team activated defensive back Von Hutchins from the practice squad.

JETS: Center Kevin Mawae was selected the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year after helping raise nearly $250,000 for charitable efforts this year. He is eligible to win the national award.

LIONS: Interim coach Dick Jauron designated Jeff Garcia to start at quarterback for Detroit Sunday against Minnesota. There had been speculation Joey Harrington, or even rookie Dan Orlovsky, would start because team president Matt Millen said Monday when he fired coach Steve Mariucci that he wanted to get more out of younger players. "He's got more experience, so that's really it," Jauron said of Garcia. "It wasn't anything that I don't think Joey can do."

RAMS: Offensive tackle Alex Barron will undergo surgery for a thumb injury, possibly leaving the team without both starting tackles for this weekend's home game against Washington. Barron, the team's first-round pick out of Florida State, was subbing for an injured Orlando Pace when he was hurt early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's overtime victory over the Texans. Pace underwent an MRI exam for a right hip flexor and left hamstring on Monday and was listed as probable although he missed practice Wednesday.

SAINTS: Tight end Ernie Conwell is expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a ligament tear in his left knee suffered Oct. 30 against the Dolphins. He has 13 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown this season.

TITANS: Rookie receiver Brandon Jones will miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He sustained the injury Sunday against San Francisco.

[Last modified December 1, 2005, 01:07:16]