NFL - Play over when Helmet Removed

[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?

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by Adam

The rule is written to protect the runner who has lost his helmet. If he's going to be off-limits for further contact, the ball should become dead. If you want to allow him to gain whatever ground he gets while airborne, then it seems he should be fair game for being hit by the defense until he lands as well. I don't think anyone really would want that.

And as I alluded to previously; if he wants all those yards, he should wear his helmet properly.

I want to re-iterate this.
The player is COMPLETELY in control of how well his helmet stays on. If it comes off, it was either pulled off intentionally, or he intentionally chose to not wear it properly.

If the helmets I was issued in the Air Force to keep my brain bucket safe could stay attached with those crappy little chin straps that we had, then the the space age things those guys have today can't possibly be worn right if the power from two or three humans can knock them off.

[Raymond]

Guess ajmc just wants to complain, but has no better process.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

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?

Well you could do, what you always do when you JUDGE Forward Progress has been stopped, make a judgment on where you decide where the helmet came off, and mark the ball at the spot you judge it to be. Depending on where you've decided where that spot is, it's going to be 1st down for somebody.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Do you realize how ridiculous this question is?

Goes to show, sometimes what seems to make sense in your thought, just doesn't translate all that well into words. Some people get to write rules, others just get to implement them.