The Calvin Johnson Rule Does Not Apply

[Yakuza Rich]

Here's why...

The CJ Rule is really about the receiver being in end zone when they catch the ball.

The reason is basically twofold:

1. A lot of catches in the end zone are ones where the receiver catches the ball and falls to the ground in some fashion.

2. When you catch the ball in the end zone, you cannot physically try and advance the ball to the end zone.

Rules are often based on intent and logic.

#2 is very important to understand why the CJ rule does not apply.

If the receiver is in the end zone, then *logically* they have no reason to try and turn themselves into a runner nor try to advance the ball to the end zone. Essentially, if they complete the catch it's a TD. Unlike if you catch a pass at the 5-yard line where you need to catch the ball and then try and advance the ball towards the end zone.

The rule states the pass must be completed 'throughout the process of the catch.'

So if the receiver is in the end zone and falls to the ground, that is the entire process of the catch. You are not going to see a receiver in the end zone catch the ball and either start running or reaching out with their arm because they don't need to advance the ball. It's already a score.

When the receiver is *not* in the end zone, the 'process of the catch' is different. Using logic, the process of the catch with the receiver *not* in the end zone should be when the receiver has control of the ball and then the receiver has the right to try and advance the ball. Otherwise, we could argue that WR's could not fumble the ball after a reception because they did not control the ball thru the process of the catch.

Since Dez extended his arm (and the ball was not coming loose as he extended his arm), the process of the catch had been completed and now he was turning himself from a receiver to a player trying to advance the ball. In the CJ case, the receiver would have no logical reason to extend their arm because they are already in the end zone.

I'm sure we all know this and understand this...I just think that the people pointing to the rule book are being a bit obtuse about how to read the rules and don't see how their interpretation contradicts the rules and don't understand the original intent of the rule.





YR

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

Your logic does not allow the NFL to avenge a wrong against the Lions last week.

 

[EPL0c0]

There's no doubt that the ball hits the ground. Can't argue that point.

The ruling on the field was of a completed pass by the official closest to the play. The ball hitting the ground and subsequent movement was of no consequence.

During the review they had to have decided to change their idea of whether he made a football move or not.

If he is judged to have made a "football move" then he becomes a runner and the ground cannot cause a fumble. That seemed to have been the initial ruling on the field. So was what was overturned was whether he made a "football move" or not?

If the question was whether Dez made a "football move" by switching the ball to his left hand, taking 3 steps, lunging toward the endzone, reaching the ball forward with his left hand, and having 2 knees and 2 elbows touch the ground BEFORE the ball hits the ground, is that good enough or did they decide that all of that was just part of the process of falling down? Is a "football move" part of the rule? I'm probably wrong anyway

 

[sb220]

your logic fails when a receiver is tapping his feet and falling out of bounds anywhere on the field. He must maintain possession.

Its clear that Dez took three steps, but it is also clear that he was falling while taking those steps. Which overrules the other...the steps or the fall

 

[Yakuza Rich]

your logic fails when a receiver is tapping his feet and falling out of bounds anywhere on the field. He must maintain possession.

No, it doesn't.

The receiver...again...is not advancing the ball. In that situation he's like the receiver in the end zone. He can only make the catch and can't advance the ball.

Its clear that Dez took three steps, but it is also clear that he was falling while taking those steps. Which overrules the other...the steps or the fall

That's why the extension (as long as the ball isn't moving while he's extending) overrules all of that. How can one tell if a player is stepping or falling? They can't. But, if the player makes the catch and extends the arm it is logical that he would make that move because he's trying to advance the ball.





YR

 

[Jenky]

Who in their right mind would switch the ball to their opposite hand if they didn't have control?

 

[Oh_Canada]

No, it doesn't.

The receiver...again...is not advancing the ball. In that situation he's like the receiver in the end zone. He can only make the catch and can't advance the ball.



That's why the extension (as long as the ball isn't moving while he's extending) overrules all of that. How can one tell if a player is stepping or falling? They can't. But, if the player makes the catch and extends the arm it is logical that he would make that move because he's trying to advance the ball.





YR

You're far too logical for the NFL.

 

[loublue22]

my favorite part is people calling Dez "selfish" for trying to get into the end zone

never mind that this is football and curling up into a little ball is not usually celebrated, but it actually proves the opposite of what they believe. He can only be "selfish" and go for the TD if he's in complete control of the ball, and the act of doing so both advances the ball and is unquestionably a football play.

Any way you look at it, play stands first and goal

 

[sbark]

Here's why...

The CJ Rule is really about the receiver being in end zone when they catch the ball.

The reason is basically twofold:

1. A lot of catches in the end zone are ones where the receiver catches the ball and falls to the ground in some fashion.

2. When you catch the ball in the end zone, you cannot physically try and advance the ball to the end zone.

Rules are often based on intent and logic.

#2 is very important to understand why the CJ rule does not apply.

If the receiver is in the end zone, then *logically* they have no reason to try and turn themselves into a runner nor try to advance the ball to the end zone. Essentially, if they complete the catch it's a TD. Unlike if you catch a pass at the 5-yard line where you need to catch the ball and then try and advance the ball towards the end zone.

The rule states the pass must be completed 'throughout the process of the catch.'

So if the receiver is in the end zone and falls to the ground, that is the entire process of the catch. You are not going to see a receiver in the end zone catch the ball and either start running or reaching out with their arm because they don't need to advance the ball. It's already a score.

When the receiver is *not* in the end zone, the 'process of the catch' is different. Using logic, the process of the catch with the receiver *not* in the end zone should be when the receiver has control of the ball and then the receiver has the right to try and advance the ball. Otherwise, we could argue that WR's could not fumble the ball after a reception because they did not control the ball thru the process of the catch.

Since Dez extended his arm (and the ball was not coming loose as he extended his arm), the process of the catch had been completed and now he was turning himself from a receiver to a player trying to advance the ball. In the CJ case, the receiver would have no logical reason to extend their arm because they are already in the end zone.

I'm sure we all know this and understand this...I just think that the people pointing to the rule book are being a bit obtuse about how to read the rules and don't see how their interpretation contradicts the rules and don't understand the original intent of the rule.





YR

going to be a lot of "discussion" this week ........Fans should memorize this

 

[DallasCowboys2080]

but dez was down by contact so it shouldn't matter tho right?

 

[tyke1doe]

Look, we can argue this until the cows come home. They made the call. It didn't go our way. We loss. There's nothing we can do about it.

 

[percyhoward]

Actually, Dez caught it, took two steps, was tripped, took another step and then fell down while reaching for the goal line. If he isn't tripped, does anybody think it matters if the ball comes loose after he crosses the goal line and then eventually falls down?

He didn't fall down in the process of making a catch. He made a catch, got two feet down, and was then tackled. Illegally, I might add.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Who in their right mind would switch the ball to their opposite hand if they didn't have control?

You do have to switch hands without the ball bobbling. If he switched hands and fell to the ground and the ball came out...there is more of a point. But once he extends the arm, which he has the full right to do, he has completed the process of the catch and is now trying to advance the ball towards the end zone.

It's shameful that the 'experts' don't understand that and have acted so obtuse about it.




YR

 

[dogberry]

I can't be mad about the Duane Thomas "fumble"?

 

[TonyS]

Dez was not selfish

Dez caught the ball and took at least 2 steps.

Dez tried to extend into the end zone under full control of the ball.

Referee made a horrible call and reversed the catch.

Dallas is out of the playoffs.

We look forward to next year.

 

[The Quest for Six]

Whether Dez caught the ball in play, on the sidelines or in the end zone, he must maintain control of the ball throughout the process of the catch when he goes to the ground, clearly he did not, the ball came lose when he hit the ground, so therefore it would be an incomplete pass regardless where he caught it on the field...it was the correct call, I hate the rule, always have, but it's the rule....

 

[JD_KaPow]

but dez was down by contact so it shouldn't matter tho right?

In fact, that's completely irrelevant to the ruling on what happened (except it means that the ruling couldn't be a fumble).

The ruling hinges entirely on when he completed the process of making the catch.

 

[Jenky]

You do have to switch hands without the ball bobbling. If he switched hands and fell to the ground and the ball came out...there is more of a point. But once he extends the arm, which he has the full right to do, he has completed the process of the catch and is now trying to advance the ball towards the end zone.

It's shameful that the 'experts' don't understand that and have acted so obtuse about it.




YR

All I am saying is I saw 3 football moves.

1) 3 steps
2) Switching the ball to the other hand
3) lunging for the plane

It was clear to me.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Look, we can argue this until the cows come home. They made the call. It didn't go our way. We loss. There's nothing we can do about it.

I absolutely agree.

However, for the betterment of the game in the future, this should be discussed. Not only for future cases like this one where the receiver is extending the ball towards the end zone, but for other plays where people say 'the rule books says this' and they are clearly misinterpreting the rule book.

It's not going to go away, but if there is a positive it would be to get the league to understand the rule correctly.





YR

 

[JD_KaPow]

Whether Dez caught the ball in play, on the sidelines or in the end zone, he must maintain control of the ball throughout the process of the catch when he goes to the ground, clearly he did not, the ball came lose when he hit the ground, so therefore it would be an incomplete pass regardless where he caught it on the field...it was the correct call, I hate the rule, always have, but it's the rule....

No. He was not "going to the ground." He completed the process of the catch and then made a football move to try and advance the ball. It was a terrible misapplication of the "going to the ground" rule.