I think the NFL’s use of replay is ridiculous. I’ve long been on record that there’s no need for a frame-by-frame review of a play. The college system is so much better.
But I think replay got a call right when it took a touchdown catch away from Oakland Monday night. Because the rule was interpreted properly, even though NBC’s announcers didn’t think so.
That being said, I think the rule is flawed.
To review, JaMarcus Russell hit Louis Murphy in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown. At least it looked like one. Murphy caught the ball, took two steps, then was tackled. All took place nearly simultaneously, but there was no doubt Murphy got two feet down. As he fell, the ball squibbed loose … it clearly moved when he hit the ground.
The pass was ruled incomplete, because that’s what the rule says. The ball cannot move if a receiver is tackled after a catch.
Now … a running back can run five yards, get tackled and have the ball squib loose when he hits the ground. Then, he’s down. Because the ground cannot cause a fumble when a guy is tackled.
But the rule is different after a catch.
A receiver catches a ball, takes two steps, gets tackled and the ball squibs loose and it’s incomplete. To me that’s inconsistent – provided the guy did get two feet down with the ball.
Once it settles proper heights for scoreboards, the league’s Competition Committee might want to ponder this rule a bit.