Why The Dallas Cowboys Successful Season Feels Like Failure

Now for the play that that everyone is talking about regarding Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant.

As we all know, this was first called a catch on the field and then overturned.  The reasoning was because he did not maintain control of the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground.

And if Bryant was immediately going to the ground, that would be proper interpretation of the rule and the proper call.

Here’s the thing though, before the rule book addresses going to the ground it says the following:

A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) if a player, who is inbounds:

1. (a)  secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and
2. (b)  touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and
3. (c)  maintains control of the ball long enough, after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, to enable him to perform any act common to the game (i.e., maintaining control long enough to pitch it, pass it, advance with it, or avoid or ward off an opponent, etc.).

Note 1: It is not necessary that he commit such an act, provided that he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so.

Note 2: If a player has control of the ball, a slight movement of the ball will not be considered a loss of possession. He must lose control of the ball in order to rule that there has been a loss of possession.

Bryant completes 1 (a) securing control of the ball in his hands.  He completes 2 (b) touching the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands (elbow).  He also completes 3 (c) as he performs any act common to the game.

Would you like to hear from a former head of NFL officiating to explain to you what an “act common to the game” is defined as?

Sure you would…