Ravens kicking consultant Randy Brown confirmed that the Gillette Stadium scoreboard was inaccurate during the end of the AFC Championship Game Sunday, leading to a rushed kick from Billy Cundiff. He thinks it’s possible the error was made on purpose.
During an appearance with Angelo Cataldi and The Morning Team on 94 WIP in Philadelphia Tuesday, Brown said “The scoreboard was one down behind, the entire last three plays, from what we understand. That caused Billy Cundiff to have to rush on to the field with just seconds left on the play clock to try and make the kick, which he missed.”
When asked if he felt the error was done purposely to mislead the Ravens, he replied “I don’t think you can rule anything out in New England, can you?”
Even if you believe the conspiracy theory that the Pats’ scoreboard operator intentionally misled the Ravens — and it wouldn’t be the first time the Pats messed with the opposing team through stadium technology — Brown says it’s no excuse for the missed kick.
“It was our belief [Billy Cundiff] was ready,” Brown said.
Brown also noted that Cundiff had made all 11 of his playoff kicks for the Ravens and that he hadn’t missed a fourth-quarter field goal in two and a half seasons. He believes calling a timeout to prepare for the kick would have been the wrong decision, citing what happened with Jason Garrett and Dan Bailey.
Some people may continue to blame the Patriots for the missed kick, but Cundiff is a professional kicker who has succeeded during plenty of adverse situations in the past. There is nobody to blame but him for the mistake. And just because he missed the kick doesn’t mean he’s the reason the team lost the game. Remember, the kick would have only tied the game, not won it.
Video picture via BaltimoreRavens.com
