The ball can hit the ground provided the player has control of it prior to it hitting the ground and maintains possession of it through the completion of the play. This was great coverage by Ike because he focused on the catching point by Fitz and tried to rake the ball out of his hands and then pull his arm away. The ball was loose earlier in the catch sequence but Fitzgerald gained control and kept control all the way through the play.

As for Santonio’s play, it was clearly a catch despite the photo above. This frame is later in the sequence when Santonio is falling out of bounds, but at the time of possession he had both feet on the ground.

Yes, both plays are close. Yes, the referees got the play right. Yes, end of story.

I was screaming for a challenge when this happened because I thought it was iffy when it occured. Personally, I would have thought if Santonio’s TD in the Baltimore game was overturned, this one could have easily been overturned as well, but you can never tell with the refs.

Just watched NFL films Live Wire of SB 43. Fitz trapped this ball between his left hand and right forearm. He did not have two hands on the football. Does he have control? Barely. Great catch.

I too thought it was a catch but one that should have been challenged. Given the fact so many plays were replayed, why not try one more?

This one could have gone either way.

My logic here. You as mentioned can let the ball touch the ground if you have complete control. But here the ball is kinda held from the side, and not real tightly. Half of one arm at best.

Still I would say if Its me ruling it I give it a TD because he clearly got more control than he had when the ball was at his helmet. The ball was not even in his hands at first, then he managed to semi-tuck it.

Plus it didnt drop out and it didnt bounce off the ground without at least some part of the Fitz on it.

It could have gone either way IMO. I see #7 knee actually get pushed toward the turf as a result of the defenders knee rolling into the crook of bens knee. If this doesnt happen its a touchdown. As a result, I think his knee did touch the turf, barely, and for just a split second. Kinda of a fluke play, because ben and hartwig were seeing to it that the ball crosses the plane.

It all comes down to what you see versus what you WANT to see. Yes, the ball eventually does cross the plane of the goal line. Part of Ben is over the goal line when his knee approaches and probably touches the ground. Where is the ball at that moment? I’ve yet to see a single camera shot (still or video) that shows conclusively where the ball is at the point Ben’s knee is (probably) on the ground, but the officials use composite video and stop frames to come up with a better determination than fans or TV analysts.. I’m a photographer and projecting from the angle that shows Ben’s knee (probably) on the ground, I would say the ball was short of the goal line by as much as 6-8 inches. I can’t remember exactly where the ball was placed after review. I think we have to trust the officials’ view of it because they have access to more visual information than we do as fans who WANT to see a TD, and who KNOW the ball eventually did cross the goal line.

if fans could vote on replays live to determine which call is made?

How nuts would things get then?

BTW-

 I think Fitz was juggling that TD, but i’m convinced he got the benefit of the doubt becuase of his reputation. That happened a lot with Cris Carter and Rice. If it had been any other WR, it would likely have been overturned. I’m glad we didn’t challenge it, though, becuse it would’ve just taken up time and AZ would likely have scored regardless.

 And ’Tone’s feet were down. Period.