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Originally Posted by TNStripes
In this play the ball is in control of a player not as a loose ball (fumble), picked up and advanced. The old rule of thumb is "the ground cannot cause a fumble." So what is the difference in a player falling, ball making contact first, and squirting out and this situation where a player in control places the ball on the ground to regain composure and being able to advance. I am told this happened in a TN - ARk game several years ago and the player lost the ball and it has ruled a fumble when recovered.
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The "rule of thumb" that you cite, which doesn't have a real rule reference, pertains to a runner holding the ball in a "normal" manner - it is cradled in his arm. The implication is that when he hits the ground, the arm also hits the ground and therefore something other than his hands and feet have touched making the ball dead.
As you've indicated, if you can clearly see the ball contacting before any other part of the body, the ground can absolutely cause a fumble. If a player puts the ball down, in his hand, to regain his balance and the ball comes out its a fumble.