Could someone please explain why Hall didn't "earn" a safety? - New England Patriots Forums

***ctpatsfan77*** · 10-26-2008, 04:40 PM

Could someone please explain to me how Dante Hall can run out the back of the end zone after trying to return the ball, but that isn't a safety?

CheerforTom · 10-26-2008, 04:42 PM

My guess is that since he didn't leave the endzone the rules are as consistent as if the ball had just been kicked out the end. I think even if he had been tackled it would've been the same as taking a knee.

Hok · 10-26-2008, 04:45 PM

He fielded the ball in the EZ and never left it, so it's a touchback.

***ctpatsfan77*** · 10-26-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hok

He fielded the ball in the EZ and never left it, so it's a touchback.

OK. I could have sworn I saw him exit the back of the EZ.

A.C Vegas · 10-26-2008, 05:01 PM

he did but he was never in the field of play with the ball so it doesn't matter

***ctpatsfan77*** · 10-26-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.C Vegas

he did but he was never in the field of play with the ball so it doesn't matter

Ah. Thank you.

***PATSNUTme*** · 10-26-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctpatsfan77

OK. I could have sworn I saw him exit the back of the EZ.

I did too. And my understand is that his option is to take a knee for a touchback or return it. He clearly went out of the back of the end zone , stopped and was touched by a Patriots player. Should have been a safety IMO.

Now if someone can cite the rule that sys differently, I'll stand corrected.

Hok · 10-26-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATSNUTme

I did too. And my understand is that his option is to take a knee for a touchback or return it. He clearly went out of the back of the end zone , stopped and was touched by a Patriots player. Should have been a safety IMO.

Now if someone can cite the rule that sys differently, I'll stand corrected.

If a player gains possession of a ball while in his own end zone (as Hall did), going out the back of the end zone is a touchback. If Hall had gained possession of the ball in the field of play, then retreated into his own end zone, then gone out the back of the end zone, it would have been a safety.

Bill B. · 10-26-2008, 05:56 PM

What was stupid about this is that he burned about 12 seconds of clock. Should have just let the ball go through the end zone or knelt on it.

***alamo*** · 10-26-2008, 06:00 PM

This isn't a runner running past first base where making a move towards second makes a difference.

It's simple, if the ball entered the endzone due to the other team, then as long as the ball doesn't reenter the field of play before it becomes a dead ball, it's a touchback.

The exact rule:

Quote:

Section 37 Touchback
A Touchback is the situation in which a ball is dead on or behind a team’s own goal line,
provided the impetus came from an opponent and provided it is not a touchdown
(11-6).