Why wasn't the Cromartie INT a safety?

[MustaphaM0nd]

YouTube - Antonio Cromartie Interception against the Patriots

I hate to complain, but its something I was thinking about when it happened during the game.

heres the video for reference. During 00:19 to 00:20 he catches the ball and tucks it under his arm immediately (showing his return man instincts), appearing to establish possession somewhere between the 3 and the 2.
Then he gets tackled by Moss in the endzone.


Do I just not understand the rules? Can someone please enlighten me how the safety rule works?

 

[Rob0729]

That was my initial reaction that it was a safety. But the rule is that when a player intercepts the ball and his momentum brings him into the endzone and he is downed, the ball is placed at the spot of the interception.

 

[boston22407]

close play and call

 

[ctpatsfan77]

That was my initial reaction that it was a safety. But the rule is that when a player intercepts the ball and his momentum brings him into the endzone and he is downed, the ball is placed at the spot of the interception.

The safety rule is based on the notion of "impetus." In order for a safety to occur, the action that brought the ball into the endzone must have "begun" with the player on offense.

As an example, if a running back starts a run in the endzone, gets out to the 2, then gets pushed back by the defense into the EZ, it's not a safety. But if he takes the ball at the 2, goes into the EZ to try to get to the outside and gets tackled while still in the EZ, that's a safety.