Posted on 12/17/2017 5:14:29 PM PST by a little elbow grease
As a Steeler fan who just endured that game:
I only have one thing to say about the ending of that game:
As I understand the rule of a “pass catch” it is when a player 1. --- takes possession of the thrown ball , THEN 2. ---- makes what they call “a football move”. That is what determines a catch. 1 and 2.
(This rule I believe was first employed just a few years ago concerning a catch and a subsequent fumble. A catch was determined a catch if the receiver took control of the ball and then made “a football move” before he may fumble it when hit.) --- a pretty crappy rule no matter what.
Well……….. our Steeler player definitely 1. -- caught that ball and had complete control over it, then 2. --- reached out (IN “A FOOTBALL MOVE”)…… never having been touched by the other team (not that that is at all relevant) …….he reached over the goal line and as the ball was in his grasp the ball hit the ground slightly but the ball was still in his grasp.
That is a CERTAIN CATCH AND TOUCHDOWN because he took control of the ball then (reached over the goal line—“a football move”) with the ball and kept control never having been touched by the opponent. Touchdown.
1.--- It was a completed pass THEN 2. --- he made “a football move” reaching into the end zone -- that term is in the rule book. He landed in the end zone keeping control of the ball AFTER THE CATCH AND “THE FOOTBALL MOVE”. (Even if he “bobbled” the ball slightly, he had made a catch AND made that required "football move" as he reached over the goal line. ) Total horsesh*t call.
If the NFL had any balls (that aren’t deflated), they would admit they made a HUGE MISTAKE for the owner of the Patriots, Robert Kraft.
Total BS
The Steelers outplayed those New England characters most of the night, except for that beastly tight end of theirs.
Well……… we’ll see them later this year, and I don’t care where that game will be played, we may have Antonio Brown back for the entire game then.
The Patriots are going down the next time, no matter where it is played. (jmo)
#BoycottPlayoffs
#BoycottSuperBowl
You can reach out, pushing the ball, without controlling it.
Yep, as much as I care to, quit crying.
You have it backwards. The NFL have the best referees of any sport. The league is the one who changed the standards and force the refs to be bad.
While I feel it should have been ruled a touchdown with the play ended as soon as he broke the plane of the goalline, his left hand came off the ball just before it hit the ground.
He was going to the ground in the process of the catch. He never established possession (control) by 'completing the catch'. Stretching or lunging is not a 'football move'. How could you tell the difference between lunging with the football versus lunging after the football? Too often you would not be able to, so that is why they have specific rules about how you establish possession. Until you do so, it does not matter where you are on the field. Also, look at the replay again - the ball clearly touches the ground, after it comes loose when his left elbow hits the ground, before he has completed the catch. If he had managed to keep the ball off the ground it would have been a touchdown once he gained control, but he didn't and it did, so it wasn't.
If you look at the replay - it should be available in countless formats - and still don't see the ball move, I recommend you get your eyes checked.
That was a touchdown. There was a clear catch, then a football move—the receiver extending his arm so as to break the plane of the goal—reseulting in a touchdown.
Just a horrible call—absolutely horrible...
But happened at this weekend’s Antifa and BLM rallies? Why only tell us about one anti-American organization, the NFL?
Tell us about all the nation-rating reprobates, not just those chasing a ball around.
Wrong again, the rule states that since the receiver initially made and secured the catch, even if the ball touches the ground “debatable” the ball can still move as long as the receiver doesn’t lose complete control “and he didn’t”, no evidence of that to overturn. Check the rule book and get back to us. Cheatriots bailed out again.
Dallas 10 - Oakland 10 3rd qtr
We’re on Free Republic so it’s politics...I can’t believe you FReepers are still watching anti-American NFL football...
Not me. The boycott continues.
Same stupid outcome as the Cowboys Dez Bryant play in the playoffs a couple years back. The catch and stretch to score and the ground causes the football to move. This is after they catch the ball and make a purposeful move to the end zone. I say this as a Green Bay fan. Both were touchdowns with any common sense. Unfortunately the NFL has none of that.
Both were touchdowns with any common sense.
...
Neither were touchdowns according to the rule.
Not me. The boycott continues.
My comment’s not necessary but I’m making it anyway: screw the NFL. Bunch of un-American assh0les.
Oakland committed suicide when the kneelers let their QB get mangled.
That was industrial Sabotage, they should be arrested , all earnings revoked,
banned for life and sued by the victim.
It looked like a catch to me and then he broke the plain... That being said, ever since the Cowboys and Jerry Jones were essentially screwed over by the same nonsensical ruling a couple of years ago, they have ruled the same way every time it happens.
Damned good game though, and hearts broke on both sides... After watching Tom Brady comeback to win his 51st come from behind fourth quarter win, they screwed the pouch and gave it all up. I thought the Patriots were complete toast and then their was the elation of that interception and that made the pain all go away... Sorry Steeler fans... I know it sucks, but you guys are my teams good luck charm... 5 Super Bowl wins... 3 of them after beating the Steelers in the AFC championship... I can hardly wait for that game.
Romo said there wasn’t control. Must be right. I liked him better in the field than in the booth. TB12! 51 comeback 4th Q wins! Better to be lucky than good some nights...
Didn't happen.
even if the ball touches the ground
Did happen.
“debatable”
Indisputable.
the ball can still move
Which it clearly did.
as long as the receiver doesn’t lose complete control “and he didn’t”,
The ball came out of his left hand before he completed the catch, and hit the ground before he gained control
no evidence of that to overturn.
If you are blind.
Check the rule book and get back to us.
Yes, you should definitely do that, even though the rules have been linked and explained several times above.
Cheatriots bailed out again.
LOL. The Patriots are middle of the pack when it comes to "cheating", which is usually just how some sore loser describes a call that didn't go their team's way. The Jets and the Giants, for example, and the Steelers, too, have been the beneficiaries of "cheating" to a much greater degree than the Patriots. What ever your claims, undoubtedly your team "cheats", too.
But, be that as it may, the NFL officially explains what happened, and it is consistent with what I and millions of other people saw during the numerous replays while we were waiting for the officials to overturn the call of TD.
"That's the key here. [James] is going to the ground. By rule, to complete the process of the catch, he must survive the ground. And by that, we mean he must maintain control of the football," Riveron said. "He does put the ball over the goal line extended. Once he gets there, he loses control of the football and then the ball hits the ground. ... Therefore two things occur: He loses control of the football, and the ball touches the ground prior to him regaining control. Therefore, the ruling on the field of a touchdown was changed to an incomplete pass."
Story where the NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating is quoted.
Jesse James (great football name) lost control of the ball.
They just stay inside the locker room during the anthem, like the did against the Bears.
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