QB throw out of bounds to kill clock, end half, instead of punt

So, the thought ran through my mind as Brady threw that ball out of bounds to run out the clock that a ref might easily call intentional grounding there.

Since the half or (well, um, the Super Bowl!!!) game can't end on a penalty, it's a loss of down, and the opponent's offense comes onto the field (for a game tying? Game winning field goal?).

Preposterous? Yes. But why is a wildly overthrown ball out of bounds NOT considered intentional grounding while an overthrown ball in bounds IS considered intentional grounding?

upstater1 said:

So, the thought ran through my mind as Brady threw that ball out of bounds to run out the clock that a ref might easily call intentional grounding there.

Since the half or (well, um, the Super Bowl!!!) game can't end on a penalty, it's a loss of down, and the opponent's offense comes onto the field (for a game tying? Game winning field goal?).

Preposterous? Yes. But why is a wildly overthrown ball out of bounds NOT considered intentional grounding while an overthrown ball in bounds IS considered intentional grounding?

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Thought the ball was in the vicinity of LaFell?

robertweathers said:

Thought the ball was in the vicinity of LaFell?

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Yeah, it wasn't that wildly overthrown.

I think intent plays a part with grounding calls...

I thought a game/half couldn't end on a defensive penalty?

BradyTheGOAT said:

I thought a game/half couldn't end on a defensive penalty?

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Good point!

rochrist said:

Yeah, it wasn't that wildly overthrown.

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Well, I guess the question is was it within 15 yards of LaFell.

It seemed way off target from my couch but no idea if it was in another zip code.

Section 8 Article 2 (b)

"If there is a foul by the offense, there shall be no extension of the period." [some exceptions, but none for grounding]

As for grounding:

Section 2 Article 1

"It is a foul for intentional grounding if a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage because of
pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion."

Seems that you can throw it away, as long as a defender isn't in your face.

http://uaasnfl.blob.core.windows.net/live/1807/2015_nfl_rule_book_final.pdf

robertweathers said:

Well, I guess the question is was it within 15 yards of LaFell.

It seemed way off target from my couch but no idea if it was in another zip code.

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They may be right that LaFell was somewhere in the vicinity of the moon.

Remember when the Red Sox had Daisuke Matsusaka - master of the gyroball???

This actually came up in last year's game against the Raiders. The Pats were up by seven, faced fourth down near their own goal line with only a few seconds left. Brady threw a pass out of bounds on that play to end the game. What was interesting though is that it was AWFULLY close as to whether or not the play was over with 1 second left on the clock. Could you imagine how that would have gone over if the Raiders had one more chance near the goalline?

That does bring up a question I have. if the ball is sailed out of bounds (just like Brady did in last night's game), does the clock stop when the ball lands or when it crosses the 'out of bounds plane'?

Still mad about the safety in the Super Bowl against the Giants on the only intentional grounding call I've ever seen that was thrown thirty yards down the middle of the field.

TB_Helmet said:

Still mad about the safety in the Super Bowl against the Giants on the only intentional grounding call I've ever seen that was thrown thirty yards down the middle of the field.

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And yes, this is why I posted this in the first place.

These unusual calls only seem to ever go against the Patriots (like the one on the Jets field goal).

I thought it was a brilliant call. As soon as Denver let the time go down to 4 seconds before taking the timeout I was thinking the exact same thing. I didn't think they'd actually call the play though.