| Funk Butter |
25-10-2012 02:27 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Benzhiyi
The problem is then you'd have speed guys on deep routes running off the field to avoid contact with defenders, and defenders unable to touch them when they returned to the pitch for fear of it being called pass interference.
There are many stupid rules in the NFL – half of them invented to protect Tom Brady – but this isn't one of them.
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But that's not what this is about. The defender was able to push the WR out of bounds solely because Freeman was rolling out. If he was still in the pocket, there would have been a penalty. It's just another case of the NFL creating more headaches for referees by thickening the rulebook. I'm sure there's a rule somewhere that an OL with a #58 is an eligible receiver if Mars is in the House of Atreides. The rules for completing a catch are the absolute worst though.
Quote:
COMPLETED OR INTERCEPTED PASS
Article 3 Completed or Intercepted Pass. A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. A forward pass is complete (by
the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) if a player, who is inbounds:
(a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and
(b) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and
(c) maintains control of the ball long enough, after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, to enable him to perform any act
common to the game (i.e., maintaining control long enough to pitch it, pass it, advance with it, or avoid or ward off an
opponent, etc.).
Note 1: It is not necessary that he commit such an act, provided that he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so.
Note 2: If a player has control of the ball, a slight movement of the ball will not be considered a loss of possession. He must
lose control of the ball in order to rule that there has been a loss of possession.
If the player loses the ball while simultaneously touching both feet or any part of his body other than his hands to the ground,
or if there is any doubt that the acts were simultaneous, it is not a catch.
Item 1: Player Going to the Ground. If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact
by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball throughout the process of contacting 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. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete.
Item 2: Sideline Catches. If a player goes to the ground out-of-bounds (with or without contact by an opponent) in the
process of making a catch at the sideline, he must maintain complete and continuous control of the ball throughout
the process of contacting the ground, or the pass is incomplete.
Item 3: End Zone Catches. The requirements for a catch in the end zone are the same as the requirements for a catch in
the field of play.
Note: In the field of play, if a catch of a forward pass has been completed, after which contact by a defender causes the ball to
become loose before the runner is down by contact, it is a fumble, and the ball remains alive. In the end zone, the same
action is a touchdown, since the receiver completed the catch beyond the goal line prior to the loss of possession, and the
ball is dead when the catch is completed.
Item 4: Ball Touches Ground. If the ball touches the ground after the player secures control of it, it is a catch, provided
that the player continues to maintain control.
Item 5: Simultaneous Catch. If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both players retain it, the
ball belongs to the passers. It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently
gains joint control. If the ball is muffed after simultaneous touching by two such players, all the players of the passing
team become eligible to catch the loose ball.
Item 6: Carried Out of Bounds. If a player, who is in possession of the ball, is held up and carried out of bounds by an
opponent before both feet or any part of his body other than his hands touches the ground inbounds, it is a completed
or intercepted pass.
OFFICIAL NFL PLAYING RULES 39
Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3
INCOMPLETE PASS
Article 4 Incomplete Pass. Any forward pass (legal or illegal) is incomplete and the ball is dead immediately if the pass
strikes the ground or goes out of bounds. An incomplete pass is a loss of down, and the ball returns to the previous spot.
Note: If there is any question whether a forward pass is complete, intercepted, or incomplete, it is to be ruled incomplete.
A.R. 8.9 While in midair, a receiver firmly takes hold of a pass, but loses possession of the ball when his shoulder lands on the
ground with or without being contacted by an opponent.
Ruling: Incomplete pass. Receiver must hold onto the ball when he alights on the ground in order to complete the
reception.
A.R. 8.10 Second-and-10 on B30. A legal forward pass is caught by offensive flanker A1 near the sideline. His second step touches
the sideline.
Ruling: Incomplete pass. Both feet have to land inbounds. A’s ball third-and-10 on B30.
A.R. 8.11 Second-and-10 on B30. A legal forward pass is intercepted by defensive player B1. As he lands with the ball in his
possession, he straddles the sideline.
Ruling: Incomplete pass. Both feet have to touch inbounds. A’s ball third-and-10 on B30
A.R. 8.12 Second-and-10 on B30. A legal forward pass is intercepted by defensive player B1 who jumped in from out of bounds to
intercept pass. Both feet touch inbounds after interception.
Ruling: Incomplete pass. Both feet have to be inbounds prior to interception. A’s ball third-and-10 on B30. See 8-1-8-
Note 3.
A.R. 8.13 Second-and-10 on B30. Eligible offensive A1 jumps in air (behind or beyond line) to receive a forward pass and then
passes backward to ineligible offensive A2 before he lands.
Ruling: Legal catch.
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