[Jim S]

VerticalStripes said "I would think that "touching inbounds" would still apply until A1 was Out of Bounds by rule."

You would be incorrect. I think where you are hung up is the inbounds verses out of bounds.
The extended goalline applies while the ball carrier is TOUCHING inbounds. It doesn't say while the ball carrier is inbounds. The player does nopt have to go OB for the extension to disappear, just go airborne.
The purpose of the distinction is to make the extension disappear when the ball carrier leaves his feet.
It makes a player go for the spot between the pylons, not dive as far outside as he can go. It also means that when a defensive player makes a good play and knocks the ball carrier off his feet OB, there is no TD scored even if the ball passes what would have been the goalline extended. Note that with the same contact, if the ball carrier maintains any contact with the field inbounds the goalline extended DOES exist and a TD may be scored.

[Edited by Jim S on Jul 30th, 2004 at 09:59 PM]