Pete Carroll laments ‘total mistake on the officials’ part’ vs. Green Bay

RENTON – A day later, coach Pete Carroll is still miffed about a call that didn’t go Seattle’s way Sunday night. It just isn’t the one he was griping about immediately after the Seahawks lost to Green Bay.

“One of the really big plays in this game that made a difference in the feel of it was, remember when they got us to jump offsides and they get the (52)-yard pass-interference penalty? That’s a total mistake on the officials’ part,” Carroll told “Brock and Salk” Monday morning, volunteering his thoughts on the matter.

That play came near the end of the first half. Carroll’s argument wasn’t about whether or not the Seahawks had jumped offsides, which defensive end Michael Bennett clearly did. It’s what happened afterward – or more precisely, what didn’t happen – that he believes constituted an officiating error.

“We jump offsides, their offensive line, the right guard and tackle stand up, the play’s dead,” Carroll said. “That thing never happened. It never should have happened.”

The right side of Green Bay’s offensive line popped up after Seattle jumped offsides but before the ball was snapped. As Carroll noted, that should have resulted in the play being whistled dead. Instead, Rodgers threw deep into double coverage — knowing he had a free play — and cornerback Richard Sherman was flagged for pass interference.

The Packers were on their own 13-yard line at the time, leading 10-3 with 52 seconds left in the second quarter. They didn’t have any timeouts remaining, either, which means their only realistic shot at scoring was with a big play. They got one by virtue of a pass-interference penalty that also stopped the clock. The Packers kicked a field goal five plays later to take a 13-3 halftime lead.

Had that play been whistled dead?

“It would have been a 5-yard penalty, would have been second-and-12, backed up, with 30 seconds left,” Carroll said. “That was a huge deal … They never should have gotten that play. But it happened, and so screw it. It’s over with. Can’t do nothing about it. But that was the biggest play of the game for them, really.”

Carroll reversed his course on the call that he initially disagreed with, which was the ruling that awarded Green Bay possession following a fumble on an interception return in the fourth quarter. After the game, Carroll questioned why Seattle wasn’t awarded possession considering left guard Justin Britt emerged from the pile with the football. But while speaking with reporters Monday afternoon, Carroll said it was evident upon reviewing the film that referee Gene Steratore signaled it was Green Bay’s ball.

“Seeing the television copy, I did see Gene – who is a great official – jump outta there and point it out, which I didn’t see,” Carroll said. “I didn’t see that at game-time, but my vision was a little clouded I think.”

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