Phil Simms and the Fumble that Wasn't

[letekro]

I know these guys are human and certainly entitled to make mistakes, but what was so confusing about the Branch play? His knee was resting on the ground and he got hit. When has losing the ball when your knee is on the ground ever been a fumble? It was like listening to Rodney (All-time favorite player, but abysmal as an analyst) and Dungy saying that the rule book was wrong after the Victor Cruz play last week.

 

[Angry Man]

Simms was pretty much an fan boy for the Jests during the game. It was really evident during the last few minutes when he sounded in denial of the Jests losing.

 

[Fball]

He was moving the ball from one hand to another.

That one could have easily gone either way.

 

[andrewgarrr]

Simms was saying that if you're exchanging the ball between your hands then you aren't down by contact?

I'd like some clarification on this rule as well.

 

[Daigle]

I think he was arguing that since Branch moved the ball from right hand to left it was to be considered moving. Therefore he didnt have control of the ball when being tackled. Then I dont rember if he said

1. After the tackle he then became a runner and fumbled.

or

2. Since he switched hands he didnt have possession and it was a incomplete pass.

 

[upstater1]

He was moving the ball from one hand to another.

That one could have easily gone either way.

Doesn't make a difference

 

[reflexblue]

I know these guys are human and certainly entitled to make mistakes, but what was so confusing about the Branch play? His knee was resting on the ground and he got hit. When has losing the ball when your knee is on the ground ever been a fumble? It was like listening to Rodney (All-time favorite player, but abysmal as an analyst) and Dungy saying that the rule book was wrong after the Victor Cruz play last week.

I thought i must have missed something when he said it was a fumble because when Branch was initially hit his knee was on the ground therefore he was down, which means no fumble.

 

[Froob]

Rodney abyssal? I think he's really good. Who do you think is a good analyst? Not meaning to be mean just curious.

 

[letekro]

He was moving the ball from one hand to another.

That one could have easily gone either way.

HUH??? When he was hit, he had possession and was on the ground. Play over. Don't see any possibility that it could go the other way.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think Jerome Boger gave you that clarification...

 

[Bostonian1962]

I know these guys are human and certainly entitled to make mistakes, but what was so confusing about the Branch play? His knee was resting on the ground and he got hit. When has losing the ball when your knee is on the ground ever been a fumble? It was like listening to Rodney (All-time favorite player, but abysmal as an analyst) and Dungy saying that the rule book was wrong after the Victor Cruz play last week.

You're right! I love Phil Simms normally, but he had a bit of an off game for him. That overturn was obvious to me.

 

[letekro]

Rodney abyssal? I think he's really good. Who do you think is a good analyst? Not meaning to be mean just curious.

Well, he doesn't even do games any more, but Todd Christensen was amazing. Collinsworth, Simms, and Jaws are all fine. Rodney is a very articulate guy, he just isn't smooth in front of the camera and leaves a lot of non-sequiturs out there.

 

[JetsfaninPeace]

He was moving the ball from one hand to another.

That one could have easily gone either way.

Agreed. I didn't think it was a fumble, but also didn't think it was a catch. Since he was juggling the ball, I thought it was an incompletion. Result didn't matter since we followed it up with a TD regardless.

 

[PatriotFan77]

The instant Branch was touched, the play was over. It was NEVER a fumble. Not even a question.

 

[bob85ne]

The instant Branch was touched, the play was over. It was NEVER a fumble. Not even a question.

Exactly. His knee was on the ground, then he was touched by the Jet defender.

 

[jbb9s]

HUH??? When he was hit, he had possession and was on the ground. Play over. Don't see any possibility that it could go the other way.

I don't agree with Simms but he was saying that Branch didn't have possession of the ball when he was touched. Of course Simms was incorrect in asserting that switching the ball from one hand to another results in a temporary loss of possession.

 

[PatsFan24]

I know these guys are human and certainly entitled to make mistakes, but what was so confusing about the Branch play? His knee was resting on the ground and he got hit. When has losing the ball when your knee is on the ground ever been a fumble? It was like listening to Rodney (All-time favorite player, but abysmal as an analyst) and Dungy saying that the rule book was wrong after the Victor Cruz play last week.

Simms came across as a total Jets homer today

 

[Mack Herron]

Exactly. His knee was on the ground, then he was touched by the Jet defender.

If he lost possession of the ball BEFORE he was hit, he was never down. The issue is whether he started to transfer the ball before he was hit. Was very close.

 

[jbb9s]

Agreed. I didn't think it was a fumble, but also didn't think it was a catch. Since he was juggling the ball, I thought it was an incompletion. Result didn't matter since we followed it up with a TD regardless.

how could that be called an incomplete?

 

[Daigle]

Simms came across as a total Jets homer today

Ye I got that feeling too. If he wouldnt have raised Light as a MVP almost, I would have been writing him off too.