Referee who screwed Chargers explains controversial calls (and makes it worse)

The end of a hard-fought contest between the LA Chargers and Arizona Cardinals was marred on Monday night by two questionable officiating decisions that completely swung the outcome of the game.

It first happened on offense. Justin Herbert attempted a go-ball to Simi Fehoko, who was nowhere in the vicinity after being tied up with a defensive back. It was a miscommunication between Herbert and Fehoko, who broke in on the route, but it did not change the fact that illegal contact occurred.

A flag was initially thrown but was later picked up. The Chargers were forced to kick a field goal to go up 15-14 on the ensuing play.

This was followed by a late flag on a second-and-10 incompletion to Marvin Harrison Jr. that initially forced the Cardinals to third and long from their own 30. Rookie defensive back Cam Hart was flagged for unnecessary roughness, even though the contact was minimal and the drop was not a result of the contact.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh was not happy with the calls on the field and addressed the calls in a very telling way in his postgame press conference. Meanwhile, crew chief Clete Blakeman took the opportunity to explain the two calls in his postgame availability, inadvertently making Chargers fans more upset in the process.

As for the call on Hart, Blakeman said, "It was essentially helmet-to-helmet contact near the head and neck area of the receiver, which is what triggered the foul for unnecessary roughness."

Ref's explanation for Chargers penalties don't really explain much at all

Blakeman may have explained the thought process behind the two decisions he did not justify the calls in any way by doing so. In fact, all Blakeman did was enrage Chargers fans even more for the poor officiating.

Starting with the second of the wo calls, Blakeman's explanation at least makes some sense on why it was called. At first glance, it looked like Hart was leading with the crown of his helmet and made contact with Harrison that, by definition, would be a penalty.

However, that was not the reality as Hart made contact with Harrison's shoulder first and the helmet contact was minimal. It was a poorly timed hit that looked worse than it actually was. So while the initial reaction may have been to throw a flag, the refs really should have come to another conclusion after huddling.

As for the Fehoko non-call... well now it is egregious. Blakeman confirmed the refs picked up the flag because the ball was deemed uncatchable. The only problem with that explanation is that it does not matter if a ball is uncatchable for illegal contact.

By definition, a defender "cannot initiate contact with a receiver who is attempting to evade him. A defender may use his hands or arms only to defend or protect himself against impending contact caused by a receiver," outside of the five-yard zone.

Contact was initiated outside of the five-yard zone. It would be one thing if Blakeman said Fehoko appeared to run the wrong route and that the contact did not impact the play. But with his explanation, Blakeman didn't dispute the fact there was contact, and simply said it was picked up because the ball was uncatchable.

It still does not make any sense.