Well, I am pretty certain his hands were not at his sides, they were on the ball (then again, I don't have the play in front of me, total memory and I could be wrong). The replays I saw during the game made it seem pretty clear he had possession right has he was originally hit by a Giants player and lost possession when the Bradshaw and others tried to get the ball from him. Woods may have argued, just not like an absolute jerk like some people, we just don't know. In the end, its a hard call for an official to make on the field because they can't see 12 camera angles that show every inch of the play, and I totally understand why the officials called it the way they did from what they say, when teh scrum cleared, Bradshaw and Woods had their hands on the ball and the rules says that offense wins in that situation, I can't blame them for that, and I don't.
The main point of my post was a curiosity question...are there specific rules regarding fumble possession that are different from the rules regarding being down and touched by an opponent? And second whether the call could be challenged by the officials?
I have had my second question answered, so thanks. I think the sense is that the rules are no different for fumbles as they are for other plays.
Please don't yell at me, or criticize me for being curious, I am not looking for excuses, I am just curious about the rules, I think most people on this thread are, and those critisizing them need to get a life...