It has always been clear to me. I found it strange that the case book used to say to stop the game and give the ball back to the FTer without any penalty, but that's what I did because that was what the ruling said to do.
Now I don't that anymore.

He lost it. It's no longer at his disposal. Seems simple and logical to me.

I took a different reasoning for the case play; it prevents a defender from having to grab it and toss it away. Just call the violation. I agree with your bewilderment on the previous case play.

Your reasoning actually makes more sense to me, though.

Checkmarks are good!

X's are bad.

NFC is reeeeaally bad. :eek:

But they beat the AFC in the Pro Bowl this year. :confused:

Oh, that's not the NFC that you meant. :D