Robdude
Third String But Playing on Special Teams
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2006
- Messages
- 692
- Reaction score
- 57
The instant he hits the ground it becomes "after". And he clearly had the ball in full control as he hit the ground, as he planted his other hand as he rolled and right before getting up. It came out in the act of getting up.
Bottom line, you can interpret the rule however you want, but there's no way that should not have been a TD in an ideal world.
I have to agree Synovia on all of this. The rule is clear. In all cases a player has to maintain control while falling. The ball left his hand while he was still in the act of falling.
I also do not see why everyone wants to feel bad for Johnson. Why it is ok that he even made the catch look questionable. All he had to do was hold on to the ball. Stay on the ground and show you have control. As a professional he should be aware of the rule and make sure he follows the rule. This is not an issue 99% of the time because when a receiver falls to the ground he makes a point of showing control and he does it for longer than a second.
I know I am in the minority here (according to ESPN Poll 80% think it was a bad call) but I think the rule is fine and the player did not follow the rule. He has a responcibility to show control before he tosses the ball away.