Quote:
Originally posted by JMN
Quote:
Originally posted by Ed Hickland
The operative word is "control". In order to obtain possession a player must first control the ball. Control implies a voluntary act by the player with the ball. The player arms were outstreched. If he had been able to "control" the ball by bringing his arms in, that would have been a controlling act.
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Ed, can't a player control and possess the ball with his arms outstretched?
Think of a square out by a wide receiver where he times the play to reach for the ball thrown over the sideline while keeping his feet inbounds.
My call is a catch based on controlling the ball with his hands for a split (maybe less) second. At that point, dead ball, touchdown. The rest is immaterial.
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Control implies the receiver is able to make a voluntary action with the ball. Simply having both hands on the ball with arms outstretched is not control. Once the player is able to bring the ball into towards his body without bobbling, he has demonstrated control or some similar action.
Think about the outstreched arms and body reaching for the ball. Both hands cradle the ball but as the receiver hits the ground the ball bounces loose. No catch.