Strip benefits from fumbles
July 10th, 2009 6:14 am
by
Pro Set
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If a team that fumbles or muffs the ball forward is ultimately downed at a point of better field position, the dead ball spot should become the spot of the forward fumble or forward muff.
Remember the 2006 season AFC Championship Game? Indianapolis came back from 21-3 down to beat New England. Each team scored a touchdown from a forward fumble recovered in the endzone. Teams should never benefit from a forward fumble.
If a running back fumbles forward at the OPP 1 yard line, and the offense recovers in the endzone, the dead ball spot should be at the 1 yard line. Backward fumbles are fine. No one wants to add to the complexity of officiating by adding a distinction between backward fumbles and laterals.
Unfortunately, the NFL has done just that. The rule (on 4th down or in final two minutes) that only the runner can advance ANY fumble is philosophically wrong. The rule is designed to dissuade “deliberate” fumbles: such as the Raiders vs Chargers Holy Roller. But a deliberate backward fumble is conceptually identical to a lateral: a team concedes ground and possession to risk a greater gain.
Proposed rule: “Excluding the enforcement of penalties, no team shall enjoy a dead ball spot beyond the point at which that team fumbled or muffed the ball forward during any play from scrimmage, or any free kick.”
Whether a fumble was forward would be reviewable. Will the NFL Competition Committee be proactive for once?
Posted in Analysis, Game, Indianapolis Colts, NFL, NFL Franchises/Teams, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers |
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