NFL 1st down measurement

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

I wrote to this guy, and CC'd his editor.

You forgot about Hines Ward whining about dropping a TD pass. The author confuses the rule about the ground not causing a fumble with the rule defining a catch.

Still, I'm afraid your missive will fizzle: journalism is more about controversy now than reporting.

[bisonlj]

Someone should also tell him there is no rule that says the ground can't cause a fumble. The rule is the runner is down when any part of this body (other than hand or foot) touches the ground. The NFL also requires contact by a defender for the runner to be down. The reason the ground can't cause a fumble is because the runner is usually already down when the ball comes out.

It's too bad people will read this article and think the officials did a poor job. Sounds like they got them all right to me!

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by bisonlj

Someone should also tell him there is no rule that says the ground can't cause a fumble. The rule is the runner is down when any part of this body (other than hand or foot) touches the ground. The NFL also requires contact by a defender for the runner to be down. The reason the ground can't cause a fumble is because the runner is usually already down when the ball comes out.

It's too bad people will read this article and think the officials did a poor job. Sounds like they got them all right to me!

Given what happened in the ALCS last night, plus the refs lockout in the NBA, we might be in for a season of "officials suck." Yipee.

[AZ Line Judge]

This was covered in the NFL Official Review this week.