Norman himself was flagged twice in the Super Bowl, both times for defensive holding. One of those penalties occurred late in the game on an incomplete pass on third down, and the fresh set of downs that ensued allowed Denver’s C.J. Anderson to score a game-sealing touchdown.
Another, more controversial moment occurred earlier in the contest, when a long catch attempt by Carolina’s Jerricho Cotchery was ruled incomplete. The Panthers challenged, and replays appeared to show that the ball never touched the ground — a view that
CBS analyst Mike Carey, a former NFL referee, espoused — but officials upheld the initial ruling. That left the Panthers pinned deep in their own end, and two plays later, the Broncos got a fumble off Carolina quarterback Cam Newton and ran it in for the game’s first touchdown.
[Cam Newton wasn’t doing much smiling — or talking — after the Super Bowl]
Of course, if the Panthers want to point the finger for the loss, they could start with themselves. The team’s offensive line was a sieve and receivers dropped numerous Newton passes.
It is unclear if Norman was referring to having to battle against his own squad or the officials — or something else altogether — in addition to the Broncos, but his comments leave the unappealing aftertaste of sour grapes.
At no point in the article does he directly/indirectly imply his team's offense was the problem.... so that leaves the officials lol
at how they ruled Cotchery didn't catch the ball when the ball literally never touched the ground
) was the highlight of SB 50
