Seems like every week there is controversy over what is and isn't a catch. How did it become so complicated?
What are the actual rules - because it does not seem like announcers, head coaches, or even the refs are sure themselves.
Thursday the Bears decided to try a fake punt. On the fake they threw the ball over the top to Adrian Peterson. He was hit as he caught the ball. As he came down the ball popped loose - and the refs ruled him down by contact. Seemed like in every replay I saw it was a catch and down by contact - if not maybe it was fumble. After review - they said incomplete pass. WHAT?
Yesterday Gonzo caught a TD pass from LJ - but he was being hit as he caught it. He caught the ball (no disputing that) - but as he was being knocked to the ground the ball came loose. Is this a catch? The announcers didn't think so. Reminded me of the play in the bears game. After review - it is a catch for TD.
Yesterday S. Holmes made a catch coming back to the ball. I have always thought the ball had to break the "imaginary" plane of the end-zone. On the field they ruled Holmes down at the 1/2 foot line. Seemed like the right call. After watching 10 different replays - I never saw any conclusive video showing the ball break any plane. When the refs came back - they ruled "He had both feet down in the endzone - touchdown". WHAT? Does this mean if a WR is in the endzone and a ball is thrown short - they can come back to the ball - keep both feet in bounds and catch the ball at the 3 for a TD?
Why did it suddenly become so complicated to make a ruling on a catch?
What are the actual rules - because it does not seem like announcers, head coaches, or even the refs are sure themselves.
Thursday the Bears decided to try a fake punt. On the fake they threw the ball over the top to Adrian Peterson. He was hit as he caught the ball. As he came down the ball popped loose - and the refs ruled him down by contact. Seemed like in every replay I saw it was a catch and down by contact - if not maybe it was fumble. After review - they said incomplete pass. WHAT?
Yesterday Gonzo caught a TD pass from LJ - but he was being hit as he caught it. He caught the ball (no disputing that) - but as he was being knocked to the ground the ball came loose. Is this a catch? The announcers didn't think so. Reminded me of the play in the bears game. After review - it is a catch for TD.
Yesterday S. Holmes made a catch coming back to the ball. I have always thought the ball had to break the "imaginary" plane of the end-zone. On the field they ruled Holmes down at the 1/2 foot line. Seemed like the right call. After watching 10 different replays - I never saw any conclusive video showing the ball break any plane. When the refs came back - they ruled "He had both feet down in the endzone - touchdown". WHAT? Does this mean if a WR is in the endzone and a ball is thrown short - they can come back to the ball - keep both feet in bounds and catch the ball at the 3 for a TD?
Why did it suddenly become so complicated to make a ruling on a catch?