NFL - Play over when Helmet Removed

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by ajmc

The logic used to rule that the play stopped the instant the helmet came off, while the player was still in the air, is EXACTLY the type logic that causes most people to HATE lawyers. If the NFL wants people to HATE replay as being petty and insignificant, this would be a great ruling to highlight.

As correctly pointed out, exactly where the helmet came off has little, if anything, to do with actual player safety.

So say it's 4th & 2 at the 40, RB dives over pile, helmet is dislodged short of line to gain, but RB is not down by contact, then he runs 4 more yards before a whistle blows.

How would you determine where to spot the ball?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by ajmc

The logic used to rule that the play stopped the instant the helmet came off, while the player was still in the air, is EXACTLY the type logic that causes most people to HATE lawyers. If the NFL wants people to HATE replay as being petty and insignificant, this would be a great ruling to highlight.

As correctly pointed out, exactly where the helmet came off has little, if anything, to do with actual player safety.

OK. Fine. You hate the way it's written.

Write a better one.

[ajmc]

Why do you think someone has to write a better one. All this would have taken, is someone with a pair of.....nickles in his pants, to respond to the first fool who raised the possibility of ANY need to consider EXACTLY where the ball was at the split second the helmet came off, that his question was RIDICULOUS AND OUTSIDE THE INTENT OF THIS RULE.

Is there any other situation where the precise position of the ball actually matters when determining the precise moment when something HAPPENS? As was pointed out earlier on this issue, this is a safety related matter, and stopping play is intended to avoid any further contact to the head of a helmetless player.

Being precise for a reason is far different than being precise jUST TO BE PRECISE. Although it didn't much matter in the grand scheme of things, as they scored on the next play. The actual result of this decision gave one team an UNEARNED advantage over it's competitor, who had fairly and honestly EARNED a score which was somehow justified by an overly tecnical interpretation of a rule, that had absolutely nothing to do with the INTENT or PURPOSE of the rule.

Just as the right amount of garlick can improve any meal, the right amount of fancy technology can enhance the presentation of a game, but as too much garlick can RUIN ANY MEAL, too much reliance on the petty application of technology can RUIN an otherwise very successful and popular game.

As for all those "what ifs", add what if someone got really hurt on the unnecessary replay?

[youngump]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Is there any other situation where the precise position of the ball actually matters when determining the precise moment when something HAPPENS?

Player is diving toward the endzone, his foot touches the side line just before or just after he breaks the plane?

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Is there any other situation where the precise position of the ball actually matters when determining the precise moment when something HAPPENS?

Do you realize how ridiculous this question is?

[jTheUmp]

How about you change you supposition from this:

Originally Posted by ajmc

... the possibility of ANY need to consider EXACTLY where the ball was at the split second the helmet came off

to this:

... the possibility of ANY need to consider EXACTLY where the ball was at the split second the ballcarrier was down

Now does it seem RIDICULOUS AND OUTSIDE THE INTENT OF THIS RULE?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Is there any other situation where the precise position of the ball actually matters when determining the precise moment when something HAPPENS?

Yes. Pretty much every single other close situation in the entire sport. "Did he score before his knee hit the ground" comes immediately to mind.

Thanks for being a fan.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Why do you think someone has to write a better one. All this would have taken, is someone with a pair of.....

So again I ask:

4th & 2 at the 40, RB dives over pile, helmet is dislodged short of line to gain, but RB is not down by contact, then he runs 4 more yards before a whistle blows.

How would you determine where to spot the ball?