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Chargers and Referees
Josh Here's the official ruling on the Chargers incomplete pass call: Last year, the NFL review rules for reviewing whether a player was down by contact prior to fumbling a ball were changed saying that, despite a whistle being blown, a coach can call for review of a player being down by contact or not prior to fumbling a ball, regardless of what the initial call on the field was. And, if it's determined that a player initially called down by contact actually fumbled and turned the ball over prior to being down by contact, the turnover stands. But, the yards gained after the turnover don't count. The ball is just spotted at the point where the ball was recovered by the defense. However, the rules for reviewing whether a ball is an incomplete pass or a quarterback fumble weren't changed. The rules currently say that, if a referee initially rules a ball from the quarterback's hand to be an incomplete pass - even if he doesn't blow his whistle - the play is dead. It can be reviewed as to whether it was a fumble or an incompletion. But, since the ball is dead upon the call being made, the review can only determine where the ball is spotted (at the original line of scrimmage for an incomplete pass or at the spot of the fumble). And, a change of possession cannot occur, since the play was blown dead as soon as the ball touched the ground. It has nothing to do with the referee blowing his whistle. But, if a play is initially called a fumble, the offensive coach can call for a replay to determine whether the ball was actually an incomplete pass. And, if overturned, the ball goes back to the offense. So, it was Hochuli's initial call - not the fact that he blew the whistle - that prevented the play from being reviewed and overturned in the Chargers' favor. When the NFL officials changed the down-by-contact rule, they considered changing the incomplete pass/fumble rule to allow a team that gets a takeaway on a ball ruled dead because the initial call was an incompletion. But, they figured that the ball could roll so far away from the main action (the line of scrimmage) that some players would be letting up and not going after the ball. Which is, of course, patently stupid reasoning, because if a team gives up on a play, they should take whatever consequences that brings. The proposed rule change that the NFL will look at next year is to allow video review as to whether a ball was fumbled or an incomplete pass - regardless of whether the referee blows his whistle or what his initial call was - and if ruled a fumble that the defense recovers, the result of the play on the field stands. paul— September 16, 2008 10:31 a.m.