News: DMN: NFL VP officiating Dean Blandino on whether Dez caught the ball, running into Cowboys

[gimmesix]

They should have asked him to define "time."

Dez had control and took three steps (not just two feet down), and some "time" obviously passed. If there is a minimum amount of time that has to pass no matter how many steps the receiver takes, then it should be stated.

That's the "subjective" part, and he can't define it. It's going to be whatever the officials calling the game decide "time" is. What gets me to this day is that the officials calling the game initially ruled it a catch. I'd like to hear him explain how there was conclusive evidence to overturn that call. If the rule is subjective, then it should have been subject to the initial call without conclusive evidence to change it.

 

[goshan]

it is a call that could go either way. I will say that if the play happened today, it would be incomplete.

 

[CWR]

Why is this still being talked about?

We are still pissed. I dont plan to EVER let this go. Wish I could, but its not in me.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

it is a call that could go either way. I will say that if the play happened today, it would be incomplete.

Yep. That's because they changed the rules to make themselves right, retroactively, which makes no sense and proves that the overturn of the on field call was wrong in the first place.

 

[percyhoward]

That's the "subjective" part, and he can't define it. It's going to be whatever the officials calling the game decide "time" is.

He insists that the rule hasn't changed, but the reality is, the football move was put back in. Officials this season were looking for a football move again (just like pre-2015), since the league quietly reinstated the football move over the last 4th of July weekend.

There was obviously a powerful enough faction that opposed the football move being removed in 2015, that was successful not only in getting the football move reinstated for 2016, but in adding specific language like "tucking the ball away" and "taking additional steps" to replace pre-2015's "advancing with the ball." IOW, there are people behind the scenes (read "not Blandino") who wanted to make it clear that the type of play Dez made is a legal catch. That's why the football move was put back in, with specific language added that could have actually described Dez's catch. Since Blandino's reaction to the football move's reinstatement was merely to re-tweet the previous year's rule without that new language, it's safe to say he isn't a part of this faction.

 

[gimmesix]

He insists that the rule hasn't changed, but the reality is, the football move was put back in. Officials this season were looking for a football move again (just like pre-2015), since the league quietly reinstated the football move over the last 4th of July weekend.

There was obviously a powerful enough faction that opposed the football move being removed in 2015, that was successful not only in getting the football move reinstated for 2016, but in adding specific language like "tucking the ball away" and "taking additional steps" to replace pre-2015's "advancing with the ball." IOW, there are people behind the scenes (read "not Blandino") who wanted to make it clear that the type of play Dez made is a legal catch. That's why the football move was put back in, with specific language added that could have actually described Dez's catch. Since Blandino's reaction to the football move's reinstatement was merely to re-tweet the previous year's rule without that new language, it's safe to say he isn't a part of this faction.

I was glad that they ruled that way on the Beasley catch this year where he caught in the flat, took two steps and arched to reach out for the goal line while going to the ground. It was clear that he was making a football move, but the way they had ruled on Dez's catch had me concerned.

Now, I think the Beasley catch was easier to interpret because it was absolutely clear that he was reaching out to score while the officials somehow missed that Dez shifted the ball from two hands to one to reach out for the goal line as well.

 

[percyhoward]

Yep. That's because they changed the rules to make themselves right, retroactively, which makes no sense and proves that the overturn of the on field call was wrong in the first place.

That's what they did for 2015, but it only lasted a year before they went back to requiring a football move, with more specific examples like "tucking the ball away, turning up field, or taking additional steps."

So somebody with some power didn't agree with Blandino's overturn.

 

[percyhoward]

...the officials somehow missed that Dez shifted the ball from two hands to one to reach out for the goal line...

The closest field official probably didn't miss it, but the head of officials overruled him.

 

[Floatyworm]

Why is this still being talked about?

 

[AdamJT13]

That's what they did for 2015, but it only lasted a year before they went back to requiring a football move, with more specific examples like "tucking the ball away, turning up field, or taking additional steps."

OK, there it is ... "additional steps" -- plural. So four steps it is.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

OMG. I just can't.

 

[KJJ]

We need to forget that damn play and move the hell on from it! We're 2 years removed from it and Dez will have an opportunity to avenge that play tomorrow and the team will have an opportunity avenge that playoff loss. We need to focus on tomorrow's game not what happened 2 years ago.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

As I always say "We were robbed" and I'll say it until my dying day.

 

[noshame]

A game never comes down to one play

 

[Rockdoc]

How do you make a "football move" if you are falling after a CATCH?!?!

 

[Hoofbite]

Overturned calls are not based on how questionable or likely it is; it must be CONCLUSIVE evidence. I can't find any view that confirms the ball hit the ground.

Only because of a lack of trying, I guess.

 

[percyhoward]

OK, there it is ... "additional steps" -- plural. So four steps it is.

A player has the ball long enough to become a runner when, after his second foot is on the ground, he is capable of tucking the ball away.

I'd like to see somebody try to prove Dez was incapable of tucking the ball away.

 

[Jake]

Why is this still being talked about?

Beats me. It was a moot point as soon as the game was over. I'm just looking forward to tomorrow.

 

[percyhoward]

How do you make a "football move" if you are falling after a CATCH?!?!

Go to 2:21.

 

[LandryFan]

We need to forget that damn play and move the hell on from it! We're 2 years removed from it and Dez will have an opportunity to avenge that play tomorrow and the team will have an opportunity avenge that playoff loss. We need to focus on tomorrow's game not what happened 2 years ago.

Our "focus" has no bearing on anything. It's fine for those who want to discuss this. For those bothered by the topic, they should just stay the hell out of the thread. Easy, really.