Comments on: NFL Open thread: Steelers vs Ravens

By: NFL Open thread: Steelers vs Ravens « Top Daily Digest Reading

NFL Open thread: Steelers vs Ravens « Top Daily Digest Reading — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:25:19 +0000

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By: oakpack

oakpack — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:46:42 +0000

Go 09 Pack!!!!!!

By: jcrue

jcrue — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:37:44 +0000

To help with NoDonkey’s rule reference, the definition of a touchdown in Rule 3 of the 2006 NFL Rulebook states:

“Section 38 Touchdown
A Touchdown is the situation in which any part of the ball, legally in possession of a player inbounds, is on, above, or behind the opponent’s goal line (plane), provided it is not a touchback (11-2).”

Further, Rule 11, Section 2, Article 1 states (and this is where the difference is btwn running and passing plays occurs):

“It is a touchdown (3-38):
(a) when a runner advances from the field of play and the ball touches the opponents’ goal line (plane); or
(b) while inbounds any player catches or recovers a loose ball (3-2-3) on or behind the opponents’ goal line.”

The issue in this case is where was the receiver when he first possessed the ball.

Being a high school football official, I love being able to explain the difference btwn the HS and NFL rules to coaches here. My favorite phrase is, “Coach, if this were Sunday and I was making a lot more money, you’d be right.”

By: EconomicNeocon

EconomicNeocon — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:08:37 +0000

NoDonkey’s rule reference would seem to end the debate on the TD, though I thought the ball crossed the plane at the instant of the catch. Wonder why Keith and the gang didn’t know the rule?

Ed, you missed on the Detroit game. They actually got within 10 of Indy. The Lions should still qualify for a bailout.

By: Mr. Wednesday Night

Mr. Wednesday Night — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:37:09 +0000

Steelers v. Panthers in the Super Bowl.

By: NoDonkey

NoDonkey — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:02:28 +0000

If both feet are in the end zone, the ball doesn’t have to break the plane, see rule 38(e) in the official NFL rules.

The ball only has to break the plane in the instance where the player does not already have two feet in the end zone.

By: conservnut

conservnut — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:47:47 +0000

I seem to be the only one on this thread right now. So…..Woo-hoo Cowboys! 14-3!

By: conservnut

conservnut — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:17:15 +0000

Yee-ha

Touchdown Cowboys!

By: KGB

KGB — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:13:40 +0000

Looked like the ball broke the plane of the goal to me. I think it was the correct call. Beating the Pats, ‘Boys, and Ravens in a row is mighty impressive. And now they have to travel to Tennessee? The Steelers’ schedule has been ridiculous this year, one of the toughest ever, and they’re still winning games. Not only that, but they save their best football for the 4th quarter — like true champions.

BTW, Nice prediction, Ed.

By: Neocon Peg

Neocon Peg — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:13:32 +0000

Tenn is coasting. They don’t have the need to win until the playoffs start.

Ace ODale on December 14, 2008 at 5:11 PM

Obviously you didn’t watch the game. The Houston defense totallt shut off the Titan’s running game (so much for flash and smash!). The Titan offense was terrible, connecting on very few passes.

Also, didn’t the Titans need to win this game to have home field advantage in the playoffs? Or am I mistaken?

By: conservnut

conservnut — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:10:11 +0000

Ha, good one Ed

By: Ed Morrissey

Ed Morrissey — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:05:09 +0000

You know, Ed calling it 13-10 when the real score was 13-9 is kind of frighteningly prescient. What have you got for next week so I can get a call in to Vegas ahead of time?

Jazz Shaw on December 14, 2008 at 8:09 PM

I was a little surprised by that myself. Heard of Jimmy the Greek? I’m Eddie the Geek.

By: Mark30339

Mark30339 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:28:34 +0000

I can’t believe the booth over-ruled the call on the field. First, you’ve got to earn your touchdowns — it’s the offense’s job to get the ball conspicuously in. Second, why cheat us of the drama of a 4th down play? Let’s do an AOL hotseat: Assuming competent refs had correctly ruled no TD, what do the Steelers do on 4th down? Field goal or go for the TD.

By: IlikedAUH2O

IlikedAUH2O — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:26:04 +0000

I like the Ravens except for their head games and the fact that their their fans are idiots. I have met some. Remember McNair? The raisins were going to the Super Bowl…..NOT!

By: IlikedAUH2O

IlikedAUH2O — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:24:07 +0000

Forest, that was just about right…Lyin’ Leslie and the rest make it very easy to turn off the set. She seemed to blame the whole (mortgage meltdown) thing on Wall Street. Now that the Repubs have been buried, lets get after free enterprise. Who are these clowns?

Yo Steeler fans..who did Rooney back in the last presidential election?

By: nagee76

nagee76 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:20:51 +0000

hmm… looks like the Ravens fans might have a lot to complain about with that late TD in the game. it is hard to say with enough certainty that the Steelers receiver broke the plane. certainly not enough to over-rule the ruling on the field.

but i think the Ravens are going to be hard to beat in the playoffs no matter whether they get to play at home or on the road.

I think both these teams are going to meet for a 3rd time this season. in the AFC championships… wow, this is going to be awesome!

By: forest

forest — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:16:24 +0000

Yep. Good call Ed.

Next on CBS – a good old fashioned puff piece whitewashing of Barney Frank on 60 Minutes.

“So, Representative Frank, how do you intend to fix this Republican economic disaster?”

By: Zorro

Zorro — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:16:09 +0000

That jackass Keith Olbermannnnn was shocked that Santonio’s final touchdown was not a touchdown. What a whiner. Same with Chris Sad Sack Collingsworth. Two bedwetting losers.

By: conservnut

conservnut — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:10:41 +0000

Oh man why do I have to endure Olberdork to watch my beloved Cowboys?

By: Jazz Shaw

Jazz Shaw — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:09:42 +0000

You know, Ed calling it 13-10 when the real score was 13-9 is kind of frighteningly prescient. What have you got for next week so I can get a call in to Vegas ahead of time?

By: nagee76

nagee76 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:01:11 +0000

Big Ben came up Big !! The last minute drive was awesome. I was confused by the TD ruling as well – did he catch the ball and break the plane ? it looked like he fell forward even though his feet was in the end zone. And the refs seemed to agree that he had two feet in and ruled it a TD.

By: wepeople

wepeople — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:53:12 +0000

Tell me how that could be a touchdown when the ball never crossed the goal line? It wasn’t and it can’t be. I understand if you catch with both feet in the end zone with the ball past the goal line but the ball must cross the goal line. The fix was in.

By: NoDonkey

NoDonkey — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:47:05 +0000

“so much for the bounty. maybe ravens fans can use that bounty instead of kleenex to wipe their tears.”

Yeah, the Ravens scared Hines so much he only had pretty much his best game all season.

Ward isn’t the best WR ever, but he’s the toughest.

By: Mike Honcho

Mike Honcho — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:36:41 +0000

Tenn is coasting. They don’t have the need to win until the playoffs start.

Umm, actually the Titans could have wrapped up their division and kept a two game lead over the Steelers for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Now home field advantage throughout the playoffs will be determined next Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Kerry Collins looked awful today. The Steelers need to blitz early and blitz often.

By: Jamson64

Jamson64 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:34:57 +0000

so much for the bounty. maybe ravens fans can use that bounty instead of kleenex to wipe their tears.