Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Libertarian4Bush
The bottom line is that McNabb was flat on his back, legs sticking up, and Favors threw his full body weight on the back of McNabb's left thigh.

Which is perfectly legal in the NFL:

Digest of Rules

Protection of Passer
1. By interpretation, a pass begins when the passer -- with possession of ball -- starts to bring his hand forward. If ball strikes ground after this action has begun, play is ruled an incomplete pass. If passer loses control of ball prior to his bringing his hand forward, play is ruled a fumble.

2. When a passer is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional movement forward of his arm starts a forward pass. If a defensive player contacts the passer or the ball after forward movement begins, and the ball leaves the passer’s hand, a forward pass is ruled, regardless of where the ball strikes the ground or a player.

3. No defensive player may run into a passer of a legal forward pass after the ball has left his hand (15 yards). The Referee must determine whether opponent had a reasonable chance to stop his momentum during an attempt to block the pass or tackle the passer while he still had the ball.

4. No defensive player who has an unrestricted path to the quarterback may hit him flagrantly in the area of the knee(s) or below when approaching in any direction.

5. Officials are to blow the play dead as soon as the quarterback is clearly in the grasp and control of any tackler, and his safety is in jeopardy.



http://www.nfl.com/fans/rules/protectionofpasser

155 posted on 01/19/2004 10:27:08 AM PST by free me
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 146 | View Replies ]


To: free me
The bottom line is that McNabb was flat on his back, legs sticking up

Wouldn't it have been prudent for McNabb to get into a more protected position after falling down? I mean laying there with his legs sticking up in the air seemed a little foolish.

209 posted on 01/19/2004 10:59:01 AM PST by Henk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 155 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson