Harrison 100 Yard interception

[steelerbackr4life]

Not that it matters because he got in anyway. Did any one else notice Fitzgerald? He ran atleast 40 yards out of bounds in his feeble attempt to catch Harrison. Even when he finally pulled him down he never re established himself in bounds. He jumped grabbed Harrisons shoulder and pulled him down with him. His feet never touched in bounds until he got up and walked back towards the same sideline he just ran through in his feeble attempt to make a tackle.

Just out of curiosity if he had managed to get Harrison down how would it be legal? Even if he was forced out doesnt he first have to re establish his position in the field of play?

[steelerchad]

You are correct. I noticed the same thing and told a friend of mine that is a hater that the play should have been flagged. Obviously it wasn't, so if he had tackled Harrison prior to the goaline it would have stood as you can't challenge a penalty call.

You don't see this often, but the only time I've seen it flagged is when the gunners on a punt return are forced out on the sideline. Rather than immediately return to the playing field, they continue out of bounds to avoid being further blocked. Fitz basically stayed out of bounds to avoid the congestion and traffic on the sideline, which is a penalty even though he ran into one of his own teammates out of bounds.

The rule is you must make every effort to return to the playing field immediately so it is a judgement call. I would say 40-50 yards is ample time.

Also, Pissed me off when I heard a talking head ( I think Tim Hasselback) saying Wiz should be irate over one of his players getting in Fitz's way because Fitz would have made the tackle before he crossed the goal line. But then doesn't mention that it should have been a penalty for doing so anyway.

[LukesDad88]

Originally Posted by steelerchad

You are correct. I noticed the same thing and told a friend of mine that is a hater that the play should have been flagged. Obviously it wasn't, so if he had tackled Harrison prior to the goaline it would have stood as you can't challenge a penalty call.

You don't see this often, but the only time I've seen it flagged is when the gunners on a punt return are forced out on the sideline. Rather than immediately return to the playing field, they continue out of bounds to avoid being further blocked. Fitz basically stayed out of bounds to avoid the congestion and traffic on the sideline, which is a penalty even though he ran into one of his own teammates out of bounds.

The rule is you must make every effort to return to the playing field immediately so it is a judgement call. I would say 40-50 yards is ample time.

Also, Pissed me off when I heard a talking head ( I think Tim Hasselback) saying Wiz should be irate over one of his players getting in Fitz's way because Fitz would have made the tackle before he crossed the goal line. But then doesn't mention that it should have been a penalty for doing so anyway.

The refs weren't in any kind of position to make the call. Remember, they had to chase the play 100 yards, too. They aren't professional athletes, and they had to wade their way through the blockers and tacklers too. Otherwise, they might have also called Woodley for clipping on Hightower. Personally, I don't think it was clipping and would have been a ticky-tack call, but it could have been called, we've all seen worse. Let's just accept the fact that it could have gone alot of different ways depending on the eyes and locations of the refs, but fortunately it was called the way it was.

[CargoJon]

Originally Posted by steelerchad

You are correct. I noticed the same thing and told a friend of mine that is a hater that the play should have been flagged. Obviously it wasn't, so if he had tackled Harrison prior to the goaline it would have stood as you can't challenge a penalty call.

You don't see this often, but the only time I've seen it flagged is when the gunners on a punt return are forced out on the sideline. Rather than immediately return to the playing field, they continue out of bounds to avoid being further blocked. Fitz basically stayed out of bounds to avoid the congestion and traffic on the sideline, which is a penalty even though he ran into one of his own teammates out of bounds.

The rule is you must make every effort to return to the playing field immediately so it is a judgement call. I would say 40-50 yards is ample time.

Also, Pissed me off when I heard a talking head ( I think Tim Hasselback) saying Wiz should be irate over one of his players getting in Fitz's way because Fitz would have made the tackle before he crossed the goal line. But then doesn't mention that it should have been a penalty for doing so anyway.

Actually, it's possible that you could have challenged this call. Other potential penalties can be reviewed such as "12 men on the field", so it's possible it could have been reviewed. Not saying they would have, just that it's possible.

Thankfully it doesn't matter.

[steelerbackr4life]

I was curious about the out of bounds issue and if any one else noticed the same thing I did. Im aware of the other minor circumstances on the play that possibly could have benn viewed as infractions. It just seemed to me that the most obvious was a player running a minimum 40 yards oob through his teamates and coaches in an attempt to make a play. I have to think that had he made a tackle when they reviewed the play, the fact that his feet at no point ever returned to the field of play would have been a factor.

Like you stated Dad fortunately it was called the way it was.

Chad thanks for your answer. I wasnt aware of of Hasselbacks comments. But it figures he like your friend is a hater.

[steelerbackr4life]

Originally Posted by CargoJon

Actually, it's possible that you could have challenged this call. Other potential penalties can be reviewed such as "12 men on the field", so it's possible it could have been reviewed. Not saying they would have, just that it's possible.

Thankfully it doesn't matter.

Thanks that is what I touched on in my second post.
And yes thankfully we did not have to worry about it.

[Steelersfanforlife]

i noticed this as well. only way he could have caught up