Lets break this down:
A.R. 15.95 Act common to game—COMPLETE PASS
1. As he went to the ground, he got his second foot down and ( We get what this means. )
2. then still in control of the ball ( This is the confusing part, a "time" element or what I think they are trying to refer to is some action that kind of stops them from falling or regaining their balance. )
3. he lunged for the line to gain, losing the ball when he landed. ( According to the wording of the ruling, the lunge is NOT part of the process. So if they determined this to be a catch, it was either due to the "time" element, or that the lunge, while not technically part of the process, is something that can demonstrate point number 2 above. )
Ruling: the act of lunging is not part of the process of the catch. He has completed the time element required for the pass to be complete
A.R. 8.12 GOING TO THE GROUND—COMPLETE PASS
1. controls the ball and gets one foot down, he goes to the ground, gets his second foot down, ( We get what this means. )
2. with the ball in his right arm, he braces himself with his left hand ( This is less confusing, but still not really clear. This is the "time" element or more precisely, some action that kind of stops them from falling or regaining their balance.)
3. simultaneously lunges ( According to the wording of the ruling, the lunge is NOT part of the process. So if they determined this to be a catch, it was either due to the "time" element, or that the lunge, while not technically part of the process, is something that can demonstrate the act of trying to regain his balance. An act that could only be performed if one wasn't technically falling. )
Ruling: it is the result of lunging forward after bracing himself at the three-yard line and is not part of the process of the catch.
A.R. 8.13 GOING TO THE GROUND—COMPLETE PASS
1. before he completes the catch ( We get what this means. )
2. keeps his balance, gets both feet down, ( This is the clearest this part of the case play is written. The "time" element has been clearly been defined as "Keeps his balance. And remember, per the case play this is while going to the ground. But just as the other two case plays demonstrate, it is some act the interrupts or delays the act of falling. )
3. lunges over the goal line. The ball comes out as he hits the ground. ( And gain, the use of the lunging act is to try and confirm that the act of falling had been interrupted and they made an act that could only be performed if one wasn't technically falling. )
Ruling: The receiver went to the ground as the result of lunging for the goal line, not in the process of making the catch.
So lets break these down even further. I'm only going to be talking about the points 2 and 3 from each case play.
2. Clearly the case plays are trying to interject another component of going to the ground that is not in the actual rules themselves. Something of this magnitude should be clearly called out and defined. Because there is no rule language, we are left to assume the intent. Big no no and is exactly why we are still talking about this 3 years later.
My view is that the "time" element relates directly to cases where a player attempts to or actually interrupts the action of falling. That interruption, based on the case play language, in of itself completes the process of the catch, but only if they attempt to lunge. Even though the act of lunging is not part of the process. This is one of the most poorly written things I've ever seen. They don't clearly say what the time element requirement is and they don't clearly say that its some interruption of falling. They purposely keep it ambiguous. But its' clear that this is the intent because of the other language they use to setup the lunge. But it goes from:
then still in control of the ball TO
with the ball in his right arm, he braces himself with his left hand TO
keeps his balance, gets both feet down
3. I believe these are references to how one can interrupt the act of falling and complete the process of the catch, but only if there is an additional action confirming that they aren't really on the ground ( the lunge ). If that makes sense? And it is really, really hard to make sense of this rule if I haven't said it before.
Now the big question is, are there any other acts that can be performed besides a lunge? I think they chose a lunge because you can only lunge if you are already on the ground or if you have some sort of balance. Switching the ball in your hands - you can easily do that while falling. Reaching - easily do that while falling. Taking a step - still can be done while falling. Lunging - I still think you could, but it's much harder to do. But maybe not so much for these super athletes. And is yet another total judgement call.
Why the rule itself only talks about maintaining possession through contacting the ground, but yet buried away in the case play is some mysterious "time/interruption" factor is just wrong. Something that important needs to be clearly defined.
Now, I still stand by the Dez call as made. I don't see at any point while he is going to the ground that he ever regains his balance or braces or interrupts his fall and THEN performs a lunge. He performs the lunge while still falling. I think that's what Blandino was trying to explain. I emphasize trying. But that two part process which they try to say aren't part of the same process is a complete judgement call.
Even if they don't change the rule they absolutely need to clarify and rewrite it.
