Bizarre ending should actually have been touchback, right?

[bossman72]

Did some Zappreuder analysis of this film.

Note this image - check out the shadow left by the tree noted by the green arrow.



Now, ASSUMING both referees are on the goal line, we can draw an approximate goal line, which cuts right above the shadow landmark.




So, it looks like this is VERY close to the goal line (not 5 yds in) and the referees probably weren't positive the ball crossed the plain, so they let it go.

Note: the camera may have moved a little from it's original position on about the 7 to about the 4, so the parallax/angle may be off a little.

How's that for analysis?

[asdf]

You cannot tell for sure here, we all (well except for one) seem to agree.

Go to the spot in the film where the catch is made and then look at the official signaling TD in the middle of the field. Use the shadows for a reference pont.

It's certainly close, but I'd lean towards the ball not breaking the plane.

It may have been stated prior, and if it was, I apologize for repeating this...

If the player leaves the ball alone.... it would not have mattered.

[ajmc]

If you really insist on there being blame placed somewhere, perhaps it should be directed at the assistant coach whose responsibility it was to teach all his players that after each play, the ball should be handed to the nearest official and NEVER thrown to the ground, in any direction.

[bigjohn]

No, the special teams coordinator should never have someone deeper than the 10 yard line on any Scrimmage Kick! Period.

[Mike L]

I guess my main concern is why neither under the post official moved once it was obvious the kick was way short. If I'm under & see defenders back there I'm thinking the kick is going to be short and these idiots are going to field it. If you go into a play thinking the strange is going to happen, you rarely get surprised by it.

[bigjohn]

All I can say is hey bossman, "Back and to the left"!

[ChicagoLJ]

Originally Posted by ajmc

If you really insist on there being blame placed somewhere, perhaps it should be directed at the assistant coach whose responsibility it was to teach all his players that after each play, the ball should be handed to the nearest official and NEVER thrown to the ground, in any direction.

Interesting twist. What happens if he wants to do that, but either a. referee doesn't take it from him, or b. official has his hands on the ball.

What say you now?

[Canned Heat]

Originally Posted by ChicagoLJ

Interesting twist. What happens if he wants to do that, but either a. referee doesn't take it from him, or b. official has his hands on the ball.

What say you now?

Interesting all right. If I'm the one he's getting the ball too, I pull my hands up and back away, and hopefully he gets the hint that the ball is still live....and hopefully I haven't touched it, although it would remain live. Odds are, he'll run by...toss you the ball on the way by...and watch the same result unfold...unless the ball bounces OOB. As far as a ruling in B, I'd guess it would become dead at the spot once the official is in possession of the ball.