American Football Talk II

Anyway, onto more topical subjects - I don't think Dez's TD should have been overturned last night. I agree absolutely that he lost control when the ball hit the ground, however, as he was going to ground he definitely made a reach for the goalline (you can see his left knee coming down before he puts his right hand down and reaches forward). To me, that constitutes a "football move", so the ball coming loose should be a fumble if anything.

The ground can't cause a fumble. The more I watch it the more I see nothing wrong with the call or the rule.

I also don't really expect us to re-sign Zach Miller as Luke Willson has gone up a level lately.

The ground can't cause a fumble. The more I watch it the more I see nothing wrong with the call or the rule.

The ball coming loose and the play being dead isn't a fumble, it's down by contact (the ground technically may be able to cause a fumble if the player trips and loses the ball with no contact, but obviously that's completely irrelevant) If you make a catch while going to ground you have to maintain possession throughout the catch AND make a football move. Doing the latter doesn't obviate the need for the former. Why do people think that is a bad rule anyway? If Dez were playing cricket and that exact sequence of events happened (ball touching the ground and coming out during the course of his fall), it wouldn't be a catch in that sport either.

If you guys think the rule is bad, what DO you think the rule should be? I'll have a go at channeling the average facebook commenter and drafting a new rule that pleases everyone.

"im a nfl fan n i think the db cant hit low or hit hi or hit with his helmet or facecage or hold or touch anyone after 5 yds and also if the receiver drops it but only kind of drops it it should be a complete pass if it's my favrite team or if it happens in january or if a lot of ppl on social media agree with me and EXPECIALLY if it happens near the end of a game when its literally not fair to make the receiver do a normal catch. ps if the defender on my team does any of those bad things i reserve the right to yell THAT'S JUST FOOTBALL FOLKS I MEAN COME ON MAN at my tv/dog/neigbour's kids"

I don't know what the rule should be, I'm not an official or Commissioner. There has to be something better than the ambiguity in the football move situation.

This would never happen in cricket by the way, there's no need to reach for the endzone or move after you've first 'contacted' the ball.

"im a nfl fan n i think the db cant hit low or hit hi or hit with his helmet or facecage or hold or touch anyone after 5 yds and also if the receiver drops it but only kind of drops it it should be a complete pass if it's my favrite team or if it happens in january or if a lot of ppl on social media agree with me and EXPECIALLY if it happens near the end of a game when its literally not fair to make the receiver do a normal catch. ps if the defender on my team does any of those bad things i reserve the right to yell THAT'S JUST FOOTBALL FOLKS I MEAN COME ON MAN at my tv/dog/neigbour's kids"

Well no, but what I meant is if the ball touched the ground while he was in the process of making a falling catch, it would be not out.

As it happens cricket has a rule which is probably worded better. You have to be in control of both the ball and your body, which is a better way of saying you have to maintain possession throughout contact with the ground.

Just been commenting on Jaguars.com trying to justify the 9:30am EST kickoff and someone told me they had to pick between the Jags and Church... Not the kind of reply I was expecting. He also made a big point of his AMERICAN-ness. That was more along the lines of what I thought I'd get back.

It's not so much of a issue on the East Coast...but on the West Coast, it's a bit more of an issue. It's a big issue getting up at 7.30am in Idaho, or 6.30am in California ...people need to realize that they can go to Church on Saturday as well I like the 2.30pm GMT kickoff.

I really want to go to the Wembley game. I've been to Mile High...I want to go watch the NFL at Wembley. I'm thinking Bills-Jags...should be a good ol' defensive slug fest.

Most people in the United States seem to suggest that the Wembley games are a good thing. On the plus side, it's wall to wall football, on a Sunday, for a change, which is good. (Saturdays are wall-to-wall).

Some other people did respect the time, one guy from Cal said he'd be up at 6:30am to watch. That's commitment on par with UK fans on TNF/MNF days! Some also said it might be the only thing keeping the Jags in Jacksonville. The reality of that situation isn't clear but Wembley is clearly good for the teams bank balances and good for the NFL's global range

Manning is like LeBron choking when it matters. If only Eli and Payton were one....