Titans Game Thoughts

[Joe Joe]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

As for Jacoby Jones, he's never dull. He's either a big play or epic fail on every touch. The refs bailed him out on that punt muff but, under normal circumstances, it would have been Titans' ball and could have swung the game.

The refs didn't bail him out unless they completely whiffed on the rule. The rule bailed him out that gives him the right to catch the ball till it hits the ground unless the rule was explained wrong in the telecast. If the Titans would have respected his right to catch the ball until it hits the ground, he probably would have caught it on the bounce, but then again he is Jacoby.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by Joe Joe

The refs didn't bail him out unless they completely whiffed on the rule. The rule bailed him out that gives him the right to catch the ball till it hits the ground unless the rule was explained wrong in the telecast. If the Titans would have respected his right to catch the ball until it hits the ground, he probably would have caught it on the bounce, but then again he is Jacoby.

Allow me to clarify. 90% of the time when a punt is muffed an a defender is standing right there in front of the return man, the kick team winds up with the football. One could argue the defender, not the refs, bailed Jones out by catching the ball in the air but the refs did take a rather obscure rule out of the rule book to give the ball back to the Texans (and tack on a 15-yard interference penalty on the defender).

Tasker, being a kick returner and gunner much of his NFL career, probably knew that rule but I'm betting most of the players and coaches didn't. It's a good thing at least one of the refs knew the rule and was also in a position to see that the ball didn't hit the ground.

The defender was simply reacting as just about any player would if a muffed catch hopped into their lap.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Allow me to clarify. 90% of the time when a punt is muffed an a defender is standing right there in front of the return man, the kick team winds up with the football. One could argue the defender, not the refs, bailed Jones out by catching the ball in the air but the refs did take a rather obscure rule out of the rule book to give the ball back to the Texans (and tack on a 15-yard interference penalty on the defender).

Tasker, being a kick returner and gunner much of his NFL career, probably knew that rule but I'm betting most of the players and coaches didn't. It's a good thing at least one of the refs knew the rule and was also in a position to see that the ball didn't hit the ground.

The defender was simply reacting as just about any player would if a muffed catch hopped into their lap.

Hey I was screaming interference before the muff. JJ has a the right to the ball and a 2 yd cushion, the defended was in his face as the ball was coming down, the flag should have been thrown at that moment.

I was not aware of the ball hitting the ground is the trigger for the cover team, I just knew the cover guy did not allow JJ the chance to field the punt.

[Nconroe]

Just in case it wasn't mentioned, Jeff Fischer, Titans coach and on the rules committee, in his postgame comments said the refs made the right call.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Hey I was screaming interference before the muff. JJ has a the right to the ball and a 2 yd cushion, the defended was in his face as the ball was coming down, the flag should have been thrown at that moment.

I'm almost positive they got rid of the 2 yard "halo" around the punt returner. As long as you don't physically interfere with the return man you are OK.

[idymoe]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

It's a good thing at least one of the refs knew the rule and was also in a position to see that the ball didn't hit the ground.

.

Yeah, it's not like it's their job or anything to know all the rules. How lucky.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by idymoe

Yeah, it's not like it's their job or anything to know all the rules. How lucky.

Well, it's their part-time job. These guys are insurance salesmen and high school principals and such in real life.

And given how often these guys get it wrong, we were lucky that this time they got it right.