About That Reversed Calvin Johnson Touchdown…

Added on Oct 13, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

This is small consolation for Calvin Johnson and the Detroit Lions, but the “going-to-the-ground rule” that screwed Detroit out of a week one win against the division rival Bears is expected to be reviewed by the NFL competition committee after the season concludes. Better late than never, right? Ugh. I continue to be amazed by these ‘on second thought’ rule changes. One would think this kind of stuff would’ve have been addressed years ago. Ya know, before a team got robbed of a regular season victory.

I mean what else does the competition committee have to do except ensure the rules and regulations are not only fair, but sensible? Two feet down in bounds, ball secured, touchdown. Seems simple enough, and yet for whatever reason, the bizarre wording of end zone catches contains this whole a player must control the ball until after he gets up, runs around, celebrates and races to the sideline mumbo-jumbo.

Remember when the ground couldn’t cause a fumble? Does that even apply in today’s NFL? Or does it, but just not in the end zone? I’ve been watching pro pigskin for twenty-five years and would like to believe I have a reasonable grasp of what’s legal and what’s not, but I’m having a hard time keeping track of what rules have been rewritten and which ones have been left alone.

We can probably thank (blame?) instant replay and the glut of media attention for the confusion surrounding the rulebook interpretation. Whether in the stands or at home on your couch, everybody can wear the zebra stripes these days. Giant stadium big screens, improved technology and multiple camera angles make it easier for officials and fans alike to scrutinize a play in order to make sure it’s correct.

I’m all for modern day advances and media driven drum-beating being used to help alter “going-to-the-ground” and “tuck” rules, but I’m also a bit concerned about refs becoming lazy. I’m seeing a lot more blown calls on basic things like completed passes and fumbles. In the past, when officials had complete autonomy, I don’t recall as many glaring mistakes on gamedays.

Whatever the case, in 2011 when Calvin Johnson catches a game-winning touchdown versus the Bears and releases the rock while getting to his feet, there’s a decent chance it won’t be reversed in the replay booth. Great news for next year’s Lions. Not so much for this year’s bunch.