MNF: rule question

[Billy Flynt]

On the Grossman fumble/incomplete pass:

Grossman was hit from behind and the ball came loose. The call on the field was a fumble recovered by the Rams. His arm was cocked to throw and the hit by the defender pushed his arm forward as the ball came out. After review they ruled that his arm was moving forward- incomplete pass. Now, Grossman was turned toward the sideline and the ball headed backwards or at least laterally. While I disagree with this type of ruling (I don't like the tuck rule either) I was surprised by the comment was made by the announcers that it did not matter whether it was a forward or backward pass - huh?

So a QB could have his back to the LOS throwing the ball towards his own goalline when the ball comes loose? incomplete pass?

To me that makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

If it was a backwards pass, and it was ruled "incomplete" it becomes a fumble.

I did not watch the game, so I can't tell you for sure (what the announcers were saying). But it does matter if it is a forwards or backwards pass. A forward pass can be ruled incomplete, but a backwards pass that hits the ground should be ruled a fumble.

 

[40yearfan]

If it was a backwards pass, and it was ruled "incomplete" it becomes a fumble.

I did not watch the game, so I can't tell you for sure (what the announcers were saying). But it does matter if it is a forwards or backwards pass. A forward pass can be ruled incomplete, but a backwards pass that hits the ground should be ruled a fumble.

Because it's a lateral and not a pass.

 

[Faithful]

I thought even though his arm was in the air, it was the hit from the defender that caused his arm to go forward. To me, it was a fumble.

 

[Lloydian]

If you watched the replay closely, Grossman was forward of the 30 yard line when he let go of the ball, and the ball fell behind the 30 yard line. This was a backward pass. I'd like to know the rule Tirico was talking about that makes it incomplete.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Because it's a lateral and not a pass.

Symantics.... blah blah blah....

 

[Russ Smith]

First off I thought it was a bad call that changed the game. If the Rams get the ball there and score going into halftime, different game.

The hit is what caused the ball and the arm to go forward, if you watch in slo mo you can see the ball is coming out before Rex's arm moves, he like all QB's has been coached to move that arm forward in that situation to make it look like a pass.

I think Tirico meant that if Rex is throwing the ball and gets hit and the ball goes backwards, it's still a forward pass. In other words a backwards pass hsa to be thrown backwards, not redirected backwards by impact on the throwing arm. I think he was saying you CAN in fact have an incomplete pass that goes backwards, if the hit caused teh ball to go back.

it was a weird call though you could read Linehan's lips he said you gotta be kidding me he wasn't throwing it.

 

[Billy Flynt]

I think Tirico meant that if Rex is throwing the ball and gets hit and the ball goes backwards, it's still a forward pass. In other words a backwards pass hsa to be thrown backwards, not redirected backwards by impact on the throwing arm. I think he was saying you CAN in fact have an incomplete pass that goes backwards, if the hit caused teh ball to go back.

That seems to make sense. I agree wholeheartedly that it was a game changing call. Given Grossman's fragile ego right now, a fumble in that situation is likely to change his demeanor for the rest of the game - even if the Rams don't score a TD.

The way I saw it- it was a fumble. Bad call.

 

[Lloydian]

I still think Tirico (and the referee) got it wrong. If the hand was pushing the ball forward, and it truly was a forward pass, the ball would have left his hand moving forward. It did not. Either Grossman never controlled the path of the ball, and it was strictly a fumble, or Grossman caused the movement of the ball, and that movement was laterally.

 

[Captain Matt]

Best backward pass in the histroy of the game was still McCown firing it at Clement's face mask in the end zone.