Jumbotron scenario

[fannypack]

Well, if worse comes to worse we've finally found a use for Stanback.

 

[masomenos]

Your proposed trajectory would travel 79.8 yards downfield if thrown at a 45-degree angle. Do you know a QB who can confidently throw that far in pads and in a game situation, let alone with a comparable velocity straight up in the air? Now factor in atmospheric drag and air currents and you begin to realize how implausible it is.

To illustrate it more simply, if the league's strongest punters can just barely touch it, and kicks generally travel higher and farther than throws, does it make sense that it'd be so easy for a QB?

Didn't Isaiah Stanback throw a 73yd pass in a college game?

The numbers I figured were basically if the ball was shot straight up out of a JUGs machine. Under those conditions, the ball easily hits the screen, it clears the necesarry distance by 36ft. A QB wouldn't have to make a perfect throw in order to hit the screen, there's plenty of room for error. Look at the distance traveled on Stanback's throw...

[youtube]1FuC3jnm4TE[/youtube]

Just using the "eyeball test" it seems pretty clear that a steeper angled throw would be able to reach a distance of 85 feet.

 

[NinePointOh]

Didn't Isaiah Stanback throw a 73yd pass in a college game?

The numbers I figured were basically if the ball was shot straight up out of a JUGs machine. Under those conditions, the ball easily hits the screen, it clears the necesarry distance by 36ft. A QB wouldn't have to make a perfect throw in order to hit the screen, there's plenty of room for error. Look at the distance traveled on Stanback's throw...

Again, your 36 ft overthrow estimation doesn't apply under real conditions unless you're throwing in a total vacuum. In Cowboys Stadium, there's an atmosphere which creates drag and wind currents which push the ball as it flies.

Taking Stanback's throw for the sake of discussion ...

First, that's a 69-yard throw, not 73, or 80 like your original example would have required. It's released from the 26 and caught at the 5.

Second, even in a vacuum, Stanback would have to replicate the initial velocity from such a throw, but at a 90 degree angle with actually very little room for error. Keep in mind that he required a running start to gather the momentum necessary to make the throw in the video. To throw straight up, he'd have to do it flat footed with virtually no upward momentum, and he'd have to ratchet his body halfway over to use a completely different throwing mechanic.

Just using the "eyeball test" it seems pretty clear that a steeper angled throw would be able to reach a distance of 85 feet.

Physics > eyeball test

 

[WoodysGirl]

Here's another scenario which is more realistic in terms of driving us all nuts if it happens.

4th quarter. 9 minutes left. Cowboys down three points to the Eagles/Giants/Commanders.

Cowboys are punting. McBriar booms one and it rises right up under the JerryTron and looks like it barely nicks a corner. We can't really tell while watching the game live.

Since it's such a high punt the opposing Punt Returner is standing there waving for a fair catch.

As the ball comes down he's losing his track of the ball and muffs it.

The ball is free and Jason Williams scoops it up and returns it for a TD.

Yes! Cowboys now up four points with under 9 mnutes to go. Momentum is now ours and all we have to do is hold down the fort.

But wait.

The Skins/Eagles/Giants are saying the punt hit the JerryTron and they want the play redone.

The refs now go to the video.

The video is inconclusive as far as we are concerned while watching at home. The ball goes into one of those corners underneath where there is really no light.

What are the refs going to do?

They confer and somehow rule the punt hit the JerryTron and the Cowboys have to replay the down.

We all smash our flatscreens.

And let's not act like the refs have never screwed up a replay...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/steelers/2008-11-17-score-mistake_N.htm

5:55
Tim MacMahon: If you're going to write that long, you should get your own blog.

I laughed..

 

[Kevinicus]

There's no way this is possible. The higher the angle, the weaker your throw is going to be. You will not get much if any benefit from stepping into a throw at the angle required to hit the board. It really wouldn't be close. I know I can throw the ball straight about 3 times as far as I can straight up.

Anyone short of Superman is not going to be able to hit it....A baseball would be a different story.

 

[DallasEast]

There's no way this is possible. The higher the angle, the weaker your throw is going to be. You will not get much if any benefit from stepping into a throw. I know I can throw the ball straight about 3 times as far as I can straight up.

Anyone short of Superman is not going to be able to hit it....A baseball would be a different story.

You're interfering with the rueing. :shush:

 

[dcfanatic]

I laughed..

Me too. And I should have put that on my blog. I think I said it on the show though.

But will we be laughing if that scenario happens?