# NFL Question **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 16, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327 "2009-09-16T14:59:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/21 "2009-09-17T15:27:14Z")
> [@Snickers](#): > > Dude, cut the man some slack. He’s a \*Lions \*fan, for Pete’s sake! It’s all in jest, my friend. As a Steelers fan, I couldn’t be happier (assuming Polamalu recovers as expected and no birds knock down my field goals) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/22 "2009-09-17T15:28:18Z")
What if the ball bounces off the butt of a naked fat guy hanging off the basket of a runaway hot-air balloon? ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/23 "2009-09-17T15:28:39Z")
I didn’t realize that this thread posted twice. Sorry about that. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/24 "2009-09-17T15:48:07Z")
> [@Darth\_Sensitive](#): > > Game over. Steelers lose. > > God obviously favors the Cowboys, this is just a sign (IOW, I have no idea) ``` Of course he does! That's why they had the big hole in the roof of Texas and the new Cowboys stadiums! ``` ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/25 "2009-09-17T16:02:39Z")
Makes sense. When Randy Johnson [exploded a bird](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KteP6k1wg94&feature=related) in (I believe) a spring training game, that was also ruled a do-over. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/26 "2009-09-17T17:03:07Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > Duplicate thread. > [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > I didn’t realize that this thread posted twice. Sorry about that. I’ve merged the two threads. ---
**Author:** ![Caldazar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Caldazar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caldazar)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/27 "2009-09-17T20:27:05Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > It’s not under Emergencies or Unfair Acts, either – I found a 2006 version of the rule book online and it doesn’t say anything about anything (other than a player) that might interfere with a ball in the air, whether it’s a kick, punt, pass, lateral or whatever.. It’s not in the rulebook; the Do-Over rule **Bearflag70** mentioned was implemented by the NFL on August 28 during this year’s preseason. The rule is an interim rule and applies only to games played this season. The rule is not in the rulebook because it was not instituted via the usual procedures during the offseason. Presumeably the NFL will revisit the issue in the offseason to get a rule into the rulebook for the 2010 season. See [here](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/08/28/league-officially-announces-do-over-rule/) for the text of the rule. ---
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/28 "2009-09-18T00:45:03Z")
Here is a question… Suppose the Cowboys are down by 5 with :01 remaining in the game. The Steelers kickoff and on the ensuing run back, the return guy realizes he is _not_ going to make it all the way so he takes the ball and throws it and hits the new jumbo tron. Or maybe even before he realizes he won’t make it he tosses the ball up to the scoreboard. Then he does it again. And again. By now the kicking team is completely winded… Maybe a bit more realistic… Romo drops back to pass and realizes one of his linemen is flagged for holding. He takes the ball and hits the scoreboard. According to the new rule, all penalties are ignored (save personal fouls) and the down replayed. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/29 "2009-09-18T01:05:19Z")
If the returner throws it up in the air it’s an illegal forward pass, regardless of where it lands. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/30 "2009-09-18T04:28:53Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > If the returner throws it up in the air it’s an illegal forward pass, regardless of where it lands. … but penalties are ignored. Could the returner cause a re-play of the entire down by throwing the ball at the board post-possession or would that be considered a dead ball at the spot of the throw with the return team maintaining possession at the spot? ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/31 "2009-09-18T05:03:14Z")
> [@cmosdes](#): > > Maybe a bit more realistic… > > Romo drops back to pass and realizes one of his linemen is flagged for holding. He takes the ball and hits the scoreboard. According to the new rule, all penalties are ignored (save personal fouls) and the down replayed. Fair point and I agree the whole thing is a RIDICULOUS idea but, one, the thing is 90 feet in the air. That’s a HUGE heave at a very steep and unnatural angle. It wouldn’t be the easiest thing to hit. And two, if he were to miss it would be an almost SURE interception. [Look at the people on the field](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3358/3622475044_f6ebb53e0c.jpg), and think about how hard, high, and ACCURATE he’d have to throw that ball under a heavy rush to hit it. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/32 "2009-09-18T13:22:42Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > … but penalties are ignored. > > Could the returner cause a re-play of the entire down by throwing the ball at the board post-possession or would that be considered a dead ball at the spot of the throw with the return team maintaining possession at the spot? Penalties are ignored on punts, not on passes. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/33 "2009-09-18T13:27:02Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Penalties are ignored on punts, not on passes. So Romo should really work on his punting. That way, he might be able to see the hold and punt on 3rd down to get a replay of 3rd down. There’s no rule that they have to punt on 3rd down again, is there? Maybe the Cowboys should bring back Danny White.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/34 "2009-09-18T14:15:05Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Penalties are ignored on punts, not on passes. I don’t see that punt/pass distinction in the rule. Here’s the official text of the new rule. 1. If a ball in play strikes a video board, guide wire, sky cam, or any other object, the ball will be dead immediately, and the down will be replayed at the previous spot. 2. If there is not an on-field ruling that the ball struck an object, the Replay Assistant is empowered to initiate a booth review, including if the event occurs prior to the two-minute warning. If, prior to the two-minute warning, no booth review is initiated by the Replay Assistant, a coach’s challenge is permitted under the customary procedures for such a challenge. 3. In the event the down is replayed: (a) The game clock will be reset to the time remaining when the snap occurred. (b) All penalties will be disregarded, except for personal fouls which will be administered prior to replaying the down. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/35 "2009-09-18T14:17:20Z")
> [@bat312](#): > > Not the same, but no pitch ruled in baseball; > [Meriahkan Natalmu dengan BOTAK189 Game Online dan Hadiah Istimewa!](http://www.minorleaguedugout.com/bird.php) I’ll be darned. I thought it’d be a fowl ball. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/36 "2009-09-18T14:28:40Z")
Huh. That’s me told. I guess he _could_ just heave the ball up there. I still don’t think it’s worth the risk considering it’s a live ball if he misses. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/37 "2009-09-18T14:32:01Z")
I would think the NFL would have a team of high priced lawyers to write a better rule. ---
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/38 "2009-09-18T14:58:13Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Huh. That’s me told. I guess he _could_ just heave the ball up there. > > I still don’t think it’s worth the risk considering it’s a live ball if he misses. I agree that it probably isn’t worth the risk. On the other hand, I would think a starting quarterback in the NFL would be able to throw the ball 40 yards into the air. So between the 30s I would think almost any QB in the league could do it. Under a heavy pass rush and in the heat of the game, I doubt it could be pulled off very easily, but I’m the type that is always looking for ways to make the rules bend in my favor. Even if it isn’t practical, I still enjoy considering the theoretical. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/39 "2009-09-18T15:11:46Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > I would think the NFL would have a team of high priced lawyers to write a better rule. The NFL’s success has come in spite of its policies at times, rather than because of them. Take the draft schedule that will be implemented next year, for example- first round on Thursday night (bwuh?), second and third rounds on Friday night (and early enough that West Coast 9-5ers will miss the start), rest on Saturday. Don’t even get me started on the idiocy that is the NFL Network. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327/40 "2009-09-18T15:34:27Z")
> [@cmosdes](#): > > Romo drops back to pass and realizes one of his linemen is flagged for holding. He takes the ball and hits the scoreboard. According to the new rule, all penalties are ignored (save personal fouls) and the down replayed. I think this rule might cover that situation… > [@](#): > > Intentional Grounding of Forward Pass > Intentional grounding of a forward pass is a foul: loss of down and 10 yards from previous spot if passer is in the field of play or loss of down at the spot of the foul if it occurs more than 10 yards behind the line or safety if passer is in his own end zone when ball is released. > Intentional grounding will be called when a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure from the defense, **throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion**. > Intentional grounding will not be called when a passer, while out of the pocket and facing an imminent loss of yardage, throws a pass that lands at or beyond the line of scrimmage, even if no offensive player(s) have a realistic chance to catch the ball (including if the ball lands out of bounds over the sideline or end line). bolding mine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-question/510327.md?page=3)