NEWS » there was just too much going on for the referee

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Nassir Little Jersey . - Denver running back Montee Ball is sidelined for the fourth straight game with a groin injury and New England defensive end Chandler Jones is inactive for the second game in a row with a hip injury.Ball started the first three games for the Broncos then was hurt in the fourth. Jones leads the Patriots with 4 1-2 sacks and was hurt in their seventh game.Other inactive players on Sunday for the Broncos in the 16th meeting between quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are safety Quinton Carter with a hamstring injury, tight end Virgil Green (calf), linebacker Steve Johnson (ankle), guard Ben Garland, tackle Michael Schofield and running back Kapri Bibbs.The Patriots inactive players include tackle Cameron Fleming (finger), cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, wide receiver Aaron Dobson, defensive lineman Zach Moore, running back James White and tackle Jordan Devey.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Nicolas Batum Jersey . The Twins announced Thursday the 28-year-old Albers cleared waivers. He will join the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization. Damon Stoudamire Jersey . Go to turbozone.ca to see more of his epic work and you can follow him on twitter (@Turbo_Zone). Gaurav Shastri - A tribute to the amazing fan base who stand outside during games at "Jurassic Park" and an unbelievable shot of Paul Pierce fearing a Raptor. https://www.cheapblazersonline.com/ . - Jayden Hart scored once and set up two more as the Prince Albert Raiders downed the host Red Deer Rebels 5-3 on Tuesday to clinch the final Western Hockey League playoff berth.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca! Hi Kerry, In Saturdays Bruins at Canucks game, Reilly Smith scores, and then continues on and runs into Luongo. Clearly Smiths elbow contacts Luongos head. Horrible non-call "hit to the head" after the goal was scored.Why are the referees so afraid to make the call after a goal is scored? Thanks,Murray ----Murray: There is no question that Reilly Smith was guilty of charging when he crashed into Roberto Luongo after the puck entered the net. The goal would stand since the puck crossed the line prior to the infraction but a minor penalty should have been assessed to Smith. Let me attempt to explain why the referee might not have reacted to the contact on Luongo and therefore did not call a penalty. From the refs position (behind the goal line, on the same side of the net that Smith approached Lou) the referee was focused on multiple elements of this bang-bang play. First, there was potential for a penalty shot to be called if a foul from behind had resulted once Christopher Tanev gave chase from his opposite-side defensive position. Tanev attacked from a back-side angle and made stick-to-stick contact with Smith just as the shot was being taken from outside the goal crease. Tanev then slid behind Smith making very light physical contact with the back of the Bruin player. At this point the referee would have determined that a legal stick check had been attempted by Tanev and would then focus on the puck entering the net to determine a legal goal. Given the close proximity and contact between Smith in the lead lane and Tanev from the back door the referee would most likely also conclude that Smith was bumped into the crease as he attempted to stop. Damian Lillard Jersey. Contact by the defending player would negate goalie interference or charging on the play. Reilly Smiths primary focus was to score a goal and elude the check of Tanev. Following this, Smith found that he was very tight to Luongos crease and rapidly running out of real estate after his shot was taken. None of this gives a player the green light to crash into the goalkeeper. He must stop, avoid or minimize any contact with the goalkeeper as defined in rule 69. There was insufficient effort made by Smith to stop, avoid or even minimize contact with Luongo. While Smith didnt deliver his elbow to make contact with Luongos head it certainly was the end result with the goalies posture low and in a butterfly position. As I stated from the outset of this analysis a charging penalty should have been assessed to Reilly Smith. I would go so far as to say that a penalty would be called 99 out of 100 times for goalie interference on a play such as this if the puck had not entered the net so your point is well taken Murray. I dont believe however that the majority of referees are reluctant to call a penalty after a goal has been scored. Ive said it before and it bears repeating; too much is missed whenever a referee assumes a position behind the goal line! From this location a referee is unable to draw an angle on players crease crashing as he looks through the back of the net and traffic in an effort to find the puck. From that deficient vantage point there was just too much going on for the referee to catch the finishing hit on Roberto Luongo. ' ' '