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HARTFORD, CT - The league handed out a $50,000 fine to Grizzly head coach Donnell Mills this morning. Yesterday, at the press conference following the Grizzlies heartbreaking loss to Fresno, Mills lambasted the referee crew calling the game and suggested that they were seeking to improve fan numbers in northern California.
When asked about the last Hartford possession Mills began his tirade, "Look, we teach our blockers to not just form a pocket, but to drive back and knock down the opposing lineman. If they are getting beat, why are we penalized for it? Look at that play, Lucas was driving his man back, knocking him down, and he kept on the guy. Hickman even rolled out in that direction to buy time, and eventually found Billings for the strike. Go back and watch the replay, Lucas was at most 3 yards downfield. I don't know how they can justify throwing that flag."
"Actually, I do know. The league has been talking about increasing the fan base in the west. Let's face it, they haven't had really good teams in California over the last few years. Oakland? Fresno? Yet, this year, both teams have a shot to be good. I'm not saying that the refs were told to call the game that way, but it was in California, it was a close game, all you need is a little nudge to send the game one way or the other. Look at that intentional grounding call, how do you get called for intentional grounding on a screen? That's the type of stuff I am talking about."
The loss was the first of the year for the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies were down early by counts of 7-0 and 10-3, before tying it up at 10-10 on the first play of the 4th quarter. After giving up a FG, the Grizzlies went three and out on the next two possessions. Then forced a turnover that looked to be the deciding factor when Hickman completed a 45 yard strike to Dave Billings for the go ahead score. But, Lucas was flagged for being illegally downfield and the points were taken off the board. The next play Hickman threw a pick to Magnuson.
When asked about the last Hartford possession Mills began his tirade, "Look, we teach our blockers to not just form a pocket, but to drive back and knock down the opposing lineman. If they are getting beat, why are we penalized for it? Look at that play, Lucas was driving his man back, knocking him down, and he kept on the guy. Hickman even rolled out in that direction to buy time, and eventually found Billings for the strike. Go back and watch the replay, Lucas was at most 3 yards downfield. I don't know how they can justify throwing that flag."
"Actually, I do know. The league has been talking about increasing the fan base in the west. Let's face it, they haven't had really good teams in California over the last few years. Oakland? Fresno? Yet, this year, both teams have a shot to be good. I'm not saying that the refs were told to call the game that way, but it was in California, it was a close game, all you need is a little nudge to send the game one way or the other. Look at that intentional grounding call, how do you get called for intentional grounding on a screen? That's the type of stuff I am talking about."
The loss was the first of the year for the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies were down early by counts of 7-0 and 10-3, before tying it up at 10-10 on the first play of the 4th quarter. After giving up a FG, the Grizzlies went three and out on the next two possessions. Then forced a turnover that looked to be the deciding factor when Hickman completed a 45 yard strike to Dave Billings for the go ahead score. But, Lucas was flagged for being illegally downfield and the points were taken off the board. The next play Hickman threw a pick to Magnuson.
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