All the way back in 1956 Elvis Presley knew “the NFL catch rule” in 2017 would suck.
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)
It's become too tedious to watch.
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LOL. May I add ..... endless commercials?
All the way back in 1956 Elvis Presley knew “the NFL catch rule” in 2017 would suck.
I did a little more research. It was the “going to ground” rule in this case. If he had pulled the ball in, and not reached, he would not have invalidated the catch by having the ball hit the ground and move. Almost need to be a lawyer to figure the rules out. However, the refs have been quite consistent with this one.
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Yes ... I hear you.
Everything you say is true.
Take care.
Must control the ball through the fall has been part of the rule for the entire 21st century. I knew on the first replay that catch would be undone. They called the wrong play on 3rd down, that lost the game.
Ask Dez Bryant, or Megatron. Many others as well.
It's a horrible rule, makes an inconsistency happen, but it's the rule.
Great catches are made null and void through a bad rule, but the refs decision was correct about interpreting that rule last night.
Terrible rule, but it was the rule that did it.
Ben, not the refs, was the one who screwed the pooch on the next play. Steelers had every opportunity to win, or send the game to overtime.
There isn't enough in your clip to see if Cooks bobbled the ball or not. While the ball clearly touches the ground (he lands on it) there isn't enough in your clip to tell if he retains control. The ball is allowed to touch the ground, and even to move, as long as it doesn't move in the hands of the receiver, i.e. "come loose".
But there is a logical flaw in your argument, in any case. Assume that you are correct about the Cooks catch. A mistake by the referees does not change or invalidate the rules going forward. Whether or not Cooks' catch was legitimate, James did not complete the catch according to the rules that have been in place for this and a number of prior seasons.
As for the sbnation article, that's some sports observer's opinion and it doesn't trump the official rules. Also, they misstate what happened during James' attempted catch to advance their story, so that makes their claims suspect, i.e. "Fake News". If James had ten hands on the ball and one came loose during the landing, it still isn't a catch because he had not established himself as a runner prior to going to the ground, the ball came loose and it touched the ground. And, contrary to sbnation's claim, the ball did more than wiggle.
Great catches are made null and void through a bad rule, but the refs decision was correct about interpreting that rule last night.
Terrible rule, but it was the rule that did it.
Ben, not the refs, was the one who screwed the pooch on the next play. Steelers had every opportunity to win, or send the game to overtime.
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Perfectly correct.
When I posted this thread last night after the game I was not clear on this "rule".
It sucks............ but it was the rule last night.
Very unfair considering the excellent catch and throw.
See younz at The Super Bowl
He must maintain control of the ball UNTIL AFTER his initial contact with the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete.
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/sunlocminnba5xhquhwa.gif
So before the big fallout with Trump I actually was sick one Sunday and watched 3 NFL games in a row (including the Cowboys ). I realized that the TV product was not very good. The NFL has really become hard to watch on TV. I can’t imagine what the people at stadiums go through. My wife quit watching years ago because of the play on the field and the product. I guess I am joining that group.
NFL c sums. Boycott
“A mistake by the referees does not change or invalidate the rules going forward.”
Like all scoring plays it was reviewed, the replay official said the ball was bobbled and hit the ground but still called it a catch. It was the same replay official who ruled in favor of the Patriots in the Jets game with the late game touchback fumble through the end zone, and now the call reversal in the Steelers game which by the way took him 5 minutes to decide, which shows it was inconclusive at best meaning the original call on the field should stand. He’s making guesses, and based on his history those guesses strangely always seem to go in favor of the Patriots, 3-0 now this season in critical late game deciding situations.
When I initially saw it I thought it was a legitimate catch and touchdown, even though the receiver allowed the ball to touch the ground, because at first blush it looked like he had control according to the rules. On the very first replay it was clear that his left hand came off the ball AND it moved around AND it hit the ground before he reestablished control. He did not complete the catch. I said so right after seeing that replay, and the commentators also immediately backtracked upon seeing the replay. No catch. No touchdown.
The referees cannot afford to get it wrong or display bias. They don't get invited back next season if they do that. And the most accurate refs are chosen for the playoffs, too, which is a desirable gig.
If you want to keep on arguing this, argue with yourself.
That was my opinion, too. Too many times the dummies lose all situational awareness and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory instead of just hugging the ball and wait for the whistle.
It is different for a player that has already established and has possession and crosses the goal line, and one who has not already established possession and crosses or is beyond the goal line.
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Now that that is completely clear ....... may I have the injection now, Doctor?
;-)
A different from the rules way, without possession.
That much has been the rule for at least half a century.
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...... less than 10 years, I believe.
It did indeed take the proper angle. I didn’t catch it until around the third replay, when you see from the right side, the left hand on top of the ball and the laces rotating around.
The ‘break the plane’ assumes possession. I’ll agree that the pre-requisite isn’t often stated, because it’s assumed everyone understands that.
IT WAS A REAL CATCH........ AND IF THE STEELERS PLAY THE ASSWIPES FROM NEW ENGLAND AGAIN THIS YEAR....... THE ASSWIPES FROM NEW ENGLAND WILL BE GOING DOWN.
Trust me.
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May the laces rotate around your Scrawny throat.
It was a catch ........ in real football.
Grow up!!!!
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