Carolina vs New England last play

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Adam

Sorry, you're right. The direction was "intercepted or knocked down". Presumably, if the ball had been tipped into the air back towards Gronk and company, the DPI would have stood.

No, I don't think so.

[hbk314]

Originally Posted by Rich

No, I don't think so.

I would agree. I'd imagine that it would be treated the same as a ball tipped at the line unless the defender completely missed the ball.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by hbk314

I would agree. I'd imagine that it would be treated the same as a ball tipped at the line unless the defender completely missed the ball.

Seriously? Are not time considerations involved?

If a ball is tipped at the line, the interval in which pass interference could be called would be infinitesimal or nonexistent, especially in NCAA or Fed where the restriction on either team exists only if the ball passed the neutral zone. Since interference is immaterial once the ball is touched, that leaves very little time.

OTOH, if the ball has traveled a considerable distance downfield, interference is taken off the table late, and if a spot of possible interference is close to where the ball was touched, then unless it pops high into the air, there will be only a short interval in which players of either side going for the ball can be interfered with legally by contact with opponents.

[APG]

Interception just occurred in the Panthers game...DPI initially flagged...ball was intercepted in front of the contact. Officials picked up the flagged and explained that the interception occurred well in front of the area of where the contact occurred.

[hbk314]

Originally Posted by APG

Interception just occurred in the Panthers game...DPI initially flagged...ball was intercepted in front of the contact. Officials picked up the flagged and explained that the interception occurred well in front of the area of where the contact occurred.

I don't think anyone's disputing that. That wasn't the case on the Gronkowski play.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by hbk314

I don't think anyone's disputing that. That wasn't the case on the Gronkowski play.

In your opinion.

[hbk314]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

In your opinion.

I wouldn't think that a couple yards meets many people's definition of "well in front of."