What's your take???

[MJT]

Originally posted by cowbyfan1
This is basically along the same lines. A22 runs into the end zone, runs a "button hook" leaps, catches the ball over the end zone and is then driven back into the field of play we all agree is a td.

Now A22 runs and out pattern, leaps and catches the ball over inbounds territory but is driven out of bounds by B25. They way I am reading the rule book the sideline official has to determine if the receiver would have landed inbounds if he had not been pushed, to determine if it would be a catch or not. I have been told this is an incomplete pass reguardless because the push does not change the direction of the receiver (like in the td play). I am ruling what I am reading in the rule/case book but am I missing something here?

You are correct, IF the contact by the DB does not CHANGE the direction of the receiver at all, then it would be an incomplete pass. That is only if he is knocked forward and OOB's or forwards and out over the endline.

Now I don't know to many DB's which are going to be behind the receiver and thus push him forward and OOB's. Most will be further downfield or on the same yard line and the contact will somewhat CHANGE the receivers direction. If in doubt if the contact "changed" his direction, and you felt without the contact he "would" have come down IB's, I have a catch.