Lovie Smith Regrets Not Challenging Jay Cutler's Fumble

Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith told reporters Monday that he regrets not challenging a second-half play that was ruled a fumble by his team in Sunday's 17-14 loss to the Washington Redskins. With the Bears leading 14-10 in the third quarter, Smith failed to call for a replay when Cutler fumbled trying to dive over from the 1-yard line on a quarterback sneak. Sideline views after the game indicated Cutler put the ball over the goal line when he reached out before fumbling, but Smith said assistants in the coaching box had no real conclusive camera angle immediately after the play. He also said he thought his defense would force Washington to punt from near its goal line. Still, Smith admitted a mistake. "I should have thrown the red flag on the 1-yard fumble down by the end zone," Smith said. "Yes, I should have, looking at it, of course, in hindsight. ... I understand the reasons why, but that was a critical play in the game. I need to be able to make that call."

Source: NFL.com

 

He definitely should have. It was a TD and would have had a great shot at being overturned.

 

When I saw the replay of that play, I just shook my head.

 

Easily a TD, bonehead mistake.

 

Thats just one of many.

 

What, it's better to be on offense at their 1 than give the ball over and play defense? I'm sure there's a joke here about the Bears always being better off on defense regardless..

 

So WTF were the coaches doing in the booth, that couldn't make that call. Don't they see the replays everyone else does? That's just plain stupid.

 

Exactly. Isn't that what they're paid for?