The clock doesn't keep running while they sort it out. Not on a fumble. On a normal running play the clock would keep running, but when the ball comes out and there is a pile, the clock stops. Now, if the ball is rolling around for a while before they jump on it, then I agree the clock would run out. I'm talking about a guy shooting the gap and the ball is laying right in front of the QB, and the defender immediately falls on it. Is that likely? No. Is it possible? Technically yes.

But you ignored the most important point I was trying to get across. You're assuming there would be a pile up, but what if the ball rolls free and a Bucs player picks it up and runs with it for a touchdown? Again, not likely, but neither is any other desperation play, and we've all seen plenty of instances where football's version of a miracle has happened.

And it's especially hypocritical for any of us to talk about a hard play as being dirty when we've been defending the Saints for months on making big LEGAL hits. I still stand by the Saints and I still have no problem with the Bucs play.