Dion Lewis Fumble/NOT a fumble

[RobertWeathers]

FYI, from the National Football League Rulebook:

“A player is in possession when he is in firm grip and control of the ball inbounds.”

Firm grip and control. The fact that the ball is between the player's arm and leg is not enough to establish possession. Nor is the fact that super slow-motion can find an instant when you can't clearly see the ball moving.

At the very least, it's not enough to overturn the ruling on the field.

Yep

Lewis did not have a firm grip OR control.

Fumble.

 

[Angelpats]

I think it could be called either way and both sides have an argument.

What certainly isn't productive is each side calling the other blind or implying they don't know anything about football because of how they interpreted an extremely close call.

That’s what wrong with some posters here. They think they know everything and is never wrong. If you disagree with them they get all defensive and condescending. It’s sad if that how they are in real life. I thought it was a fumble but I also thought he gained possession before the defender took it. But it really didn’t matter because we stopped them and then went on to win the game. Someone can prove their point and try to persuade another opinion but degrading someone isn’t going to help your cause.

 

[mosslost]

Here’s the video so you can watch it over and over and over again to your heart’s content so that you can get it right.

its funny but I am watching it now from your link, and I am doing it frame by frame, etc. I actually think he was down no fumble... LOL

 

[fan345]

I'm a huge Pats fan, but it sure looked like a fumble to me. On the other hand, too bad that Jeff Triplet wasn't reffing: Jeff Triplette's 'forward progress' reasoning makes zero sense

 

[mosslost]

That’s what wrong with some posters here. They think they know everything and is never wrong. If you disagree with them they get all defensive and condescending. It’s sad if that how they are in real life. I thought it was a fumble but I also thought he gained possession before the defender took it. But it really didn’t matter because we stopped them and then went on to win the game. Someone can prove their point and try to persuade another opinion but degrading someone isn’t going to help your cause.

the real key to me is the call to blow the whistle was the right call by rule apparently.

 

[Angelpats]

the real key to me is the call to blow the whistle was the right call by rule apparently.

He was tackling Lewis so there is contact all throughout that play, so that’s down by contact. I don’t know how it could be argued he could have had a td.

 

[RobertWeathers]

That’s what wrong with some posters here. They think they know everything and is never wrong. If you disagree with them they get all defensive and condescending. It’s sad if that how they are in real life. I thought it was a fumble but I also thought he gained possession before the defender took it. But it really didn’t matter because we stopped them and then went on to win the game. Someone can prove their point and try to persuade another opinion but degrading someone isn’t going to help your cause.

The OP is new here and he is just plain ole bitter and complains about everything

 

[XLIX]

Who else possessed it?

Uh, newsflash: it’s possible for **no one** to have possession.

 

[XLIX]

not relevant on a run play

It is 100% relevant on a run play when trying to recover a fumble.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

Uh, newsflash: it’s possible for **no one** to have possession.

that didn’t happen here, though

lewis had the ball pinned to his leg and jack did not have it

no air
or space between the ball and his hand after re-possession

no jostling, bobbling...nothing

 

[RobertWeathers]

its funny but I am watching it now from your link, and I am doing it frame by frame, etc. I actually think he was down no fumble... LOL

It's a tough call.

To me at :34 the ball it loose and Lew's right knee is off the ground.

 

[XLIX]

this is not relevant.. But it was a fumble

Yes it is relevant

 

[Chris Stevenson]

It is 100% relevant on a run play when trying to recover a fumble.

The OP is new here and he is just plain ole bitter and complains about everything

i complain about bad officiating and commentating, when it is bad, sure

 

[XLIX]

He was tackling Lewis so there is contact all throughout that play, so that’s down by contact. I don’t know how it could be argued he could have had a td.

EDIT: Nevermind - I misread. Apologies

 

[RobertWeathers]

Why are you such an ******

If you want to attack people on this board with your tude you'll get it back.

 

[letekro]

Same thing as when a guy starts to fumble, then hits the ground, and then the ball comes out. That’s a fumble 10 out of 10 Times. Jack taking the ball is the same thing as the ball coming out in the more typical fact pattern.

 

[K. Dog]

Why was Lewis apparently running on that play without a firmer hand on the ball? It didn't seem like he was protecting the ball as much as normal. I mean before the fumble/not fumble.

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

A fumble is defined as "any act, other than passing, handing, or legally kicking the ball, which results in a loss of player possession."

If such a scenario as you pointed out happens and it does not show up in the box score, you'd have to take that up with the official scorer.

That's a tautological definition. It just says a loss possession (fumble) is defined as anything that results in a loss of possession.

I don't have side here but if that's the NFL's definition than it clears nothing up.

 

[Chris Stevenson]

That's a tautological definition. It just says a loss possession (fumble) is defined as anything that results in a loss of possession.

I don't have side here but if that's the NFL's definition than it clears nothing up.

and when he lost
possession he was down

plain and simple

 

[Tb12goesinya]

We are so used to the traditional way players carry the ball. The defender’s swipe caused Lewis to readjust how he was to maintain the ball. The ball was never jarred, just shifted down his body and pinned when knee hit the ground. Not a fumble.

Edit : The ball was jarred, but I believe Lewis had it pinned tight to his knee tightly when knee hit