Spot on 4th down

[mcboiler04]

Ok, calling all of the rules experts....

I consider myself a very well-informed football fan, watching more than my share of both college and NFL games. Last night was a new one on me on that unsuccessful 4th down conversion with the spot short of the chains. I understand the ruling given by the refs (Mike Pereira explained) that the ball crossed the sideline at spot X (short of the line to gain), even though the player wasn't down until spot Y (past the line to gain).

My question is this: Is this ball crossing out of bounds only in effect when a player is not on his feet? How many times have we seen players catching the ball when the ball itself is well out of bounds but he is able to get a foot in for a completed pass? Or how many times have we seen a player tiptoe down the sideline with the ball in his arm on the sideline side, crossing out of bounds, and the only thing we care about is his feet? This is confusing.

 

[pboiler18]

Ok, calling all of the rules experts....

I consider myself a very well-informed football fan, watching more than my share of both college and NFL games. Last night was a new one on me on that unsuccessful 4th down conversion with the spot short of the chains. I understand the ruling given by the refs (Mike Pereira explained) that the ball crossed the sideline at spot X (short of the line to gain), even though the player wasn't down until spot Y (past the line to gain).

My question is this: Is this ball crossing out of bounds only in effect when a player is not on his feet? How many times have we seen players catching the ball when the ball itself is well out of bounds but he is able to get a foot in for a completed pass? Or how many times have we seen a player tiptoe down the sideline with the ball in his arm on the sideline side, crossing out of bounds, and the only thing we care about is his feet? This is confusing.

Agreed. The rule should be where the ball is when the player is down or when the ball or player first contact out of bounds.

Having to regulate the "invisible forcefield of the sideline" leads to situations just like this. I actually think Markell DID NOT make it by the letter of the law, but by inches....not the full 2 feet the ref marked him short by. Not that it matters since it was 4th down, but Jones DID make the line to gain with the ball in his possession before HE himself was officially down or officially out.

 

[70boiler]

This is the rule that I understand to apply-
The most forward point of the ball when declared out of bounds between the goal lines is the point of forward progress (A.R. 8-2-1-I and A.R. 8-5-1-VII) (Exception: When a ball carrier is airborne as he crosses the sideline, forward progress is determined by the position of the ball as it crosses the sideline (A.R. 8-2-1-II-III and V-IX).

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

This is the rule that I understand to apply-
The most forward point of the ball when declared out of bounds between the goal lines is the point of forward progress (A.R. 8-2-1-I and A.R. 8-5-1-VII) (Exception: When a ball carrier is airborne as he crosses the sideline, forward progress is determined by the position of the ball as it crosses the sideline (A.R. 8-2-1-II-III and V-IX).

That’s why a few years ago there was an insane INT where the DB went airborne out of bounds and tapped it back in bounds to another DB. Honestly one of the most insane football plays I’ve ever seen.

 

[purduepat1969]

This is the rule that I understand to apply-
The most forward point of the ball when declared out of bounds between the goal lines is the point of forward progress (A.R. 8-2-1-I and A.R. 8-5-1-VII) (Exception: When a ball carrier is airborne as he crosses the sideline, forward progress is determined by the position of the ball as it crosses the sideline (A.R. 8-2-1-II-III and V-IX).

The only issue with this is his feet were still in contact with the ground when he landed out of bounds. The cornerback had his feet wrapped up and he fell backwards. On any other play, a player is down at the point where his elbow, or any other part of his upper body or leg touches the ground. Why wouldn't that be the case where he touches down out of bounds. In my opinion, it was a blown call by the replay officials.