What the rule "should have been" and what it actually was are 2 separate things. First, here are all the catch rules from 2014.
So note that there are multiple sets of rules. The "main" catch rule has the parts a, b, and c. If that main rule can't be satisfied then other rules kick in that take precedence. Item 1 in red is the going to the ground rule. How do I know these take precedence? Look at Item 6. In that case, the main catch rule
can't be performed so once deemed such, this rule's requirements kick in. Same for all the "Items". These are the mechanics of the rule. This is why catch theorists fight tooth and nail trying to say that the main rule applied because if it doesn't then Dez is dead in the water per Item 1. There's NO dispute about that. So after Dez high-pointed the ball, he comes to the ground in one motion. If he had "time enough" to perform an act common to the game, he would have done so instead of going to the ground with his momentum as was explained. The only thing in the rules (Approved Rulings 8.12 & 15.95) that shows you can get out of a going to the ground label is actually lunging to propel yourself forward or extend the ball out like in that video that doesn't work now (NFL Network revamped their videos). Dez did neither. It's clear to me he
wanted to, but didn't execute.
These 2 clearly do not compare in the slightest when you talk about lunging OR a football move. The first player clearly does both. Dez was going to the ground the whole way while getting a foot taken out from him to prevent his attempt. Them's the breaks in this case. Even then, he just had to hold onto the ball but didn't do that either.
