Dead Horse Brutality Continues-Troy Brown Fumble
 

We've all heard it. It's over, the Pats lost, move on. I have. But I wanted to throw this out to see what you all thought because I didn't think it at the time.

I was listening to Sirius NFL Radio on the way to work this morning while talking on the phone and heard a guy call in who said he was an off-duty cop who was working security and was watching the game with some Steelers (fans, management, players?-I didn't hear what he said). I don't know if he was a Steelers fan or not. He said when Troy fumbled the ball, their reaction was immediately "Fair Catch Interference" because it was exactly the same situation that happened in one of Pitt games this season when it was called.

Bottom line, the damage was already done and Troy should catch that ball no matter what. But given the across the board complaints regarding this past weekend's officiating by everyone (from fans, to players, to analysts, the NFL officiating crew) except Denver and Indy fans, I thought why not keep piling on?!

Was the TBro fumble a case of Fair Catch Interference and yet another missed/blown call by the officials? That wasn't my reaction when I watched it so I wanted to see what anyone else thought.

well
 

When it first happened, that's what i was yelling at the TV!!! The ball hit him and bouced up in the air and when he went to re-catch it is when he got hit and lost it. You could have called that penalty, but it would have been close.

catch the d*** ball

I saw the Steeler game. It was the Steelers vs the Chargers. I don't remember Troys fumble enough to know for sure, but I don't think it was.

If Troy bobbles the ball, and a defender interferes or impedes him, or even catches the deflection before the ball hits the ground, it is fair catch interference. But if noone touches him or the ball before it hits the ground, then it is legit.

I don't remember for sure, but I don't think he was interfered with. I don't think any Broncos touched him, or the ball, or impeded him in any way before the ball hit the ground.Plus, I no longer have the game on my DVR to go back and see.

If anyone does it would be interesting to see.

I didn't catch it the first time either... 'course it could have been because I had my head in the garbage can wretching. Probably get around to watching it again this weekend.

Can you post a picture if you get a chance.

I was so disgusted with the game, I already deleted it from my DVR!

sarge, i do agree with your interpretation of the rule as I believe it to be the correct interpretation. I still do have the game so I will have to check it out.

There is also the question of the 5 yard 'halo' to make the catch,

stoopit
 

The gist of the phone call was that DEN didn't give him enough room to catch the ball. The 3 yard cushion that he was supposed to have. I've hardly ever seen it called so that's why I wanted to see others' interpretation.

He was def. interfered with. I saw it clearly on the replay. He tries to catch the ball, it bounces up a little bit, he scoots over to try to bring it back to his body, and it is at this point that a Bronco hits him, hard enough that it moves Troy and he can't make the catch.

To me, it looked exactly like what happened with Sproles. Though maybe that was different bc I believe the guy caught the ball immediatley after it bounced off Sproles chest, not sure.

There could be a rule to the effect that if the players has a reasonable amount of time to catch the ball or something, dunno.

But to echo other statements, you've a 13 yr vet. The reason youre back there is so you don't **** up fielding a punt.