On the Punt return TD that almost was...

[Stryker]

I've been reading a ton of articles and chats about the Steelers almost letting up the punt return TD vs the Broncos. On how Shamarko was an idiot for not picking the ball up, and if it went to replay, his foot being out of bounds may or may not have been called.

Here's what I have to say about it. Though the refs correctly called too many men on the Broncos, when their offense decided to walk out on the field. If they didn't call the too many men penalty, that specific penalty is, in fact, reviewable. They had like 4-5 guys on the field during the return, it would have been an easy penalty to call on review, and they had ZERO chance of earning a TD on Shamarko's gaffe.

 

[CoolieMan]

it was a stupid play.....guys have got to know better than that

 

[Stryker]

it was a stupid play.....guys have got to know better than that

I agree, moving forward it has to be corrected. But there is no way that play is ruled a TD in anyone's reality.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Will Shamarko make next years team, doubt it. Unless for some reason the majic clicks, then he will ONLY go as far as the click goes.... The specialteams coach needs to educate the players better. WIND sprints for shamarko and the special teams people. Maybe it will sink in, buit with all being punished for one's mistake, ALL will take note better.



Salute the nation

 

[SteelerFan448]

I've seen that play blown dead 100 times. Not sure what the officials were waiting for.

 

[chipped ham]

I've seen that play blown dead 100 times. Not sure what the officials were waiting for.

This was my exact line of thinking when it happened. Of course, officiating this year is just throwing darts at a board and hoping something will stick. Also, did anyone see Kubiak in the refs ear right after that? You think he might be chewing his offense out after their total brain fart. Had they not trotted on the field, what are the odds that that play is withheld and ultimately costing us the game? I know, after reviews it was pretty obvious it was a dead ball, but that doesn't mean the refs were going to get it right. One other thing, how many times is shamarko Thomas going to be involved in negative special teams plays this year? This is the third that I can remember. Honestly, if someone is more deserving to get cut over Jacoby jones, I'd have to say it's him. Tomlin really wasn't pulling our strings when he said he didn't "have it above the neck."

 

[SteelerSask2]

Shamarko Thomas is a complete bust at his position. I would like to think he should know all the rules pertaining to covering a punt as I would think that would be like a half hour special teams meeting. Yet this was almost his second complete **** up this year. The other being crowding the returner. He is another guy that just needs to be gone. Golden has far exceeded him. Cool name. Had good tangible. Sucks because he probably can't handle the details of his assignments on a particular defence.

 

[SteelerFan448]

You think he might be chewing his offense out after their total brain fart. Had they not trotted on the field, what are the odds that that play is withheld and ultimately costing us the game?

Really hits home that even Denver knew it was a dead ball, but they have to wait until the officials blow it dead.

 

[Steelerfan81]

I was grabbing a beer behind my section. Was very pissed and almost bought two cause of it. Ran back up to my seat to find out they were penalized. Thank God.

 

[madinsomniac]

His foot was out of bounds when he touched the ball, which is reviewable... its also a coached technique... in fact if you stand out of bounds and touch a kickoff in play it can be ruled as a kickoff out of bounds penalty, which is why teams don't kickoff toward the sideline with any regularity...

 

[Troglodyte]

Really hits home that even Denver knew it was a dead ball, but they have to wait until the officials blow it dead.

You do understand the return team can pick up a ball that has been touched by the punt team, and if the return team muffs it, they still maintain possession.

I don't understand why it isn't attempted more often.

 

[Troglodyte]

His foot was out of bounds when he touched the ball, which is reviewable... its also a coached technique... in fact if you stand out of bounds and touch a kickoff in play it can be ruled as a kickoff out of bounds penalty, which is why teams don't kickoff toward the sideline with any regularity...

He was unintentionally and barely out of bounds (and the officials missed it) I don't think he was coached up to do that.

 

[SteelerFan448]

You do understand the return team can pick up a ball that has been touched by the punt team, and if the return team muffs it, they still maintain possession.

I don't understand why it isn't attempted more often.

Very aware of this rule, but the ball was dead. You see the refs blow the whistle on that same exact play every week.

 

[TDX27]

Still not sure why the ball wasn't considered down. Shamarko came and put his hand on the live ball to down it. This is done in every football game on downing of punts. It should have been dead at that point. He doesn't have to pick it up with both hands.

Either way, the replay clearly showed after he touched the ball down, he stepped out of bounds. The ball was dead right there, either way and never would have been a TD - except for it being the Steelers and the refs playing against us.

All in all, it sounds like the NFL needs to button up the punt return rules to make them similar to a kick off return.

 

[papillon]

Can someone here explain to me why the punt wasn't blown dead as soon as Shamarko touched the ball? I still don't understand what horrible mistake he made. If a member of the punting team touches a bounding ball in the field of play its dead at that spot. How is this any different? And, why would the receiving team in any reality be able to pick that ball up and run with it? If its because his foot was OOB if you watch the replay closely enough you will see that he's established position in bounds, his right foot is in play, he touches the ball and then his left foot hots OOB, the ball was dead before any of the nonsense ensued.

I don't understand this one, thanks for any help anyone has on this rule.

Papillon

 

[LeXX75]

The ball is technically not down until a player actually picks it up and maintains it, which is what Thomas should have done..its no different then if the ball had glanced off his leg and the Bronco player picked it up and ran it in..now if the Bronco player picks it up and fumbles it...it does not matter it comes back to the point where the Steeler player touched it..if no one from Denver touches the ball its dead where it was touched

 

[TDX27]

He maintained it by putting his hand on it and stopping it from moving. I can't imagine the rule stating he has to pick it up. If so, then as I stated above, the rule needs to be reviewed.

This is like catching a ball with one hand. Sometimes it's a catch, if you are OBJ, and sometimes it's not, if you are a Steelers player.

 

[papillon]

The ball is technically not down until a player actually picks it up and maintains it, which is what Thomas should have done..its no different then if the ball had glanced off his leg and the Bronco player picked it up and ran it in..now if the Bronco player picks it up and fumbles it...it does not matter it comes back to the point where the Steeler player touched it..if no one from Denver touches the ball its dead where it was touched

Thank you, I didn't know that placing your hand on the ball and pinning it to the ground wasn't downing the ball. I never knew the kicking team actually has to have possession off the ground for the ball to be down. I could have sworn that I've seen players simply touch a ball that has stopped rolling to down it and never pick it up, thanks again.

Papillon

 

[madinsomniac]

He was unintentionally and barely out of bounds (and the officials missed it) I don't think he was coached up to do that.

Oh I agree that in his case it wasn't intentional, I'm just saying touching the ball when out of bounds is a legit tactic in the NFL... the refs should have been watching for it... its literally the main reason for the sideline judge.

 

[madinsomniac]

Thank you, I didn't know that placing your hand on the ball and pinning it to the ground wasn't downing the ball. I never knew the kicking team actually has to have possession off the ground for the ball to be down. I could have sworn that I've seen players simply touch a ball that has stopped rolling to down it and never pick it up, thanks again.

Papillon

Its a weird set of rules... if a defender simply touches a ball, the opposition may still advance it, and at the end of the play take whatever is better field position, the spot where it was touched or where they returned it... the rule is actually interpreted so that if you fumbled, you can still get the ball back at the spot of the touch... its supposed to stop players from batting punted balls into other teams players to force fumbles.... If no one touches a ball and it comes to a complete stop, the refs have the prerogative to blow the play dead if they feel the other team is not trying to advance it. Possession, like intent, is so loosely defined in the NFL, but it does mean you ought to pick the ball up to show it clearly.

 

[Troglodyte]

I believe touching the ball is actually consider a rules violation with the punting team having the option of still returning the punt, accepting possession where it was downed, or accepting possession where it was first. touched.

Again, I don't understand why the return option isn't tried more often, there's nothing to lose.

 

[Rod Farva]

the rule is actually interpreted so that if you fumbled, you can still get the ball back at the spot of the touch... its supposed to stop players from batting punted balls into other teams players to force fumbles..

Never really thought about the "why",thanks. Maybe they should allow that......would definitely make punts more interesting. Of course the Steelers already make punts pretty interesting.

 

[papillon]

Never really thought about the "why",thanks. Maybe they should allow that......would definitely make punts more interesting. Of course the Steelers already make punts pretty interesting.

I don't think the Steelers need any more "interesting" punt returns; I'm good with the ball being downed and no further field position conceded to the receiving team.

Papillon

 

[Punxsutawney]

The officials are instructed to wait and see if the return team tries to retrieve the ball after it is touched by the punting team. The returner started charging toward the ball right after Thomas touched it. That's why the whistle wasn't blown.

Thomas and the other two defenders around him obviously did not know the rule, as they just watched the guy pick up the ball run right by them.

They got lucky.

 

[SteelerSask2]

His foot was out of bounds when he touched the ball, which is reviewable... its also a coached technique... in fact if you stand out of bounds and touch a kickoff in play it can be ruled as a kickoff out of bounds penalty, which is why teams don't kickoff toward the sideline with any regularity...

So you honestly believe Shamarko Thomas knew the play was over because half his foot was out of bounds and he was touching the ball. Considering he took one of the most stupid penalties of the season in a similar situation. He couldn't have just picked up the DAMN ball to clearly down it. He felt it was down because of his half foot and because it was a coached technique. OK you can believe that. I'll just say they were lucky because half the Denver offense came on the field and half his foot was indeed out and it would have been overturned on replay anyways.