Sean Payton's take on the Cruz fumble

Saint_LB · 10-07-2011, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Srgt. Hulka

If nobody toched him down, the defensive players started walking back to the huddle, and Cruz picked the ballup and ran it in for a touchdown, I bet the Zebras would have given him the score.

I think it would have depended on the timing. According to the rule, a player can give himself up as long as he goes to the ground and makes no further attempt at advancing the ball. If he stayed on the ground for a few seconds, then got up and tried to advance...then the ref would be doing his job by not allowing it. He gave himself up.

However, if he went to the ground and then immediately popped up, as if he stumbled or something...then he could keep going.

It was pretty obvious to me that he intentionally went down...and then the fact that he popped up and left the ball where it was reinforces that. He may have thought that he was touched after that...but if he was in fact giving himself up, which it certainly appeared...then he really doesn't have to wait for someone to touch him.

The one thing that I will totally agree with that in the future he should err on the side of caution and make sure he is downed...or pop up with the ball and hand it to the ref.

10-07-2011, 10:05 AM	#10
Saint_LB Deuce Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,894	Originally Posted by Srgt. Hulka If nobody toched him down, the defensive players started walking back to the huddle, and Cruz picked the ballup and ran it in for a touchdown, I bet the Zebras would have given him the score. I think it would have depended on the timing. According to the rule, a player can give himself up as long as he goes to the ground and makes no further attempt at advancing the ball. If he stayed on the ground for a few seconds, then got up and tried to advance...then the ref would be doing his job by not allowing it. He gave himself up. However, if he went to the ground and then immediately popped up, as if he stumbled or something...then he could keep going. It was pretty obvious to me that he intentionally went down...and then the fact that he popped up and left the ball where it was reinforces that. He may have thought that he was touched after that...but if he was in fact giving himself up, which it certainly appeared...then he really doesn't have to wait for someone to touch him. The one thing that I will totally agree with that in the future he should err on the side of caution and make sure he is downed...or pop up with the ball and hand it to the ref.
Saint_LB Deuce Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,894	Whether you think you can or think you can't...you're right!