Thanks; that looks like a textbook case of simultaneous possession, which goes to the receiver: TD. - Edit 1
Before modification by Joel at 25/09/2012 07:31:02 AM
not a great link as the refresh rate is low and only a very brief slow motion replay.
notice that Jennings gets the ball first, then presses it against his chest. Only then does Tate put his hands around it.
The other link not working has less to do with ESPN's decision and more with distribution rights in other countries.
notice that Jennings gets the ball first, then presses it against his chest. Only then does Tate put his hands around it.
The other link not working has less to do with ESPN's decision and more with distribution rights in other countries.
Tate had his hands on it before it ever got near Jennings' body; I cannot tell from the Youtube video who got it first, but it would be impossible to say there is conclusive video evidence to overturn the TD ruling on the field. And had I been on the field I would have made precisely the same call: By rule, simultaneous possession goes to the receiver; TD Seahawks.
Now, that does not speak to any offensive pass interference BEFORE the catch, which obviously would negate the catch and end the game, but I could not see that from the Youtube clip, because all the video before the catch is off Wilson and the line. It also does not cover any other bad non/calls (and the ESPN author seemed to feel there were many on both sides, though in terms of the games outcome that may amount to the old "blow one down there, blow one down here" ref mantra.) The ruling on the catch itself looked like a very difficult but 100% correct call though, both in the initial ruling and its confirmation by replay.
The NY Daily News article on it quotes Pete Carroll saying the same thing I (and, evidently, the refs) thought, and invoking the baseball rule of which the NFL rule always reminds me: “From what I understood from the officials it was a simultaneous catch. Tie goes to the runner. Good call,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.
Now, maybe this is a situation like the Tuck Rule and the like, but as much as people may want to complain about the call, any complaints should be directed to the Competition Committee who made the rule, not the refs who correctly applied it.