Wouldn't/doesn't forward progress apply here?
 

In another weird play, Brees, on a 4th-and-a-foot call, leaped over the line, stuck the ball out long enough to get the ball past the first-down marker, then pulled it back as he was swarmed by the Lions. Looked like he voluntarily pulled it back, which, of course, would have meant he didn't have the forward progress for the first down. But the officials on the field gave him forward progress.

Read more: Tim Tebow, Demaryius Thomas lift Broncos to surprising win over Pittsburgh Steelers - Peter King - SI.com

Do we expect anything less from Peter King?

King has a point, if you voluntarily move the ball backwards you loose the forward progress, if you run backwards for example. Same thing should come into play when it comes to stretching the ball out.

And when has a ref ever called back a first down stretch that was pulled back? I've never seen it.

Peter King, whatever.

No it doesn't happen but what I'm saying is that technicaly it would be a correct call the way I understand the rules.

I think it's just one of those thing that will never be scrutinized by the refs.
Example; When a 20 yard field goal is kicked with 4 seconds left. We all know it doesn't take 4 seconds, but the time magically disappears. I'd have to go back and look at the play but even still, it was inches. So he pulls it back, likely falls on his own center, an scoots forward without ever touching the ground. This is what happens on most of these types of plays which is likely why they never really bother to dig in the weeds on it.

It would be quite funny, if the goalposts li up when time expired or alternatively the matchday clock showed 0.2 seconds remaining as the ball sailed through....... NOT :chef:

Great gig being a sports writer. Can't lose. Always write an article about "What If" or "Did you notice?" If it wasn't called when it happened IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!! I live near Indy and the radio talking heads all year "The Polians, The Polians, The Polians." They get canned and now it's "Was it the right move?" Like I said great gig!!

I'll cut him slack
 

You know I'm always saying I want the game called right, so everyone knows we won fair and square, no excuses.

I did not know this rule, and funny, I noticed it from my seat Saturday night, and thought it was cool how Brees stretched out the ball, then retracted it so no one could knock it out.

I Didnt know that technically that negates his progress, and we might not get the first down. We probably want him to know that in the future, when a defender touches him on the pile, he is down, (I think) so he doesnt have to retract the ball. Or maybe since "the plane" doesnt apply here, maybe you dont want to stretch your hands with the ball in it, period...

Anyway, King is probably right, but I'm guessing we got a "neighborhood call," maybe, like when the 2nd baseman in baseball doesnt have to really touch the base. I want to win fair & square, but this one doesnt bother me.

Interestingly, Peter King gave us credit on the fumble/incomplete pass, and said we should have gotten the ball back. crazy game.