I think most of us probably thought the ruling on the field of a completed catch and TD on that end line play in the Super Bowl (for a Philadelphia TD) would be changed by replay, due to what most of us believed to be indisputable video evidence that the receiver did not have firm hold of the ball until after a foot had touched the ground out of bounds. TV ultra-HD slo-motion replay showed the ball still moving in the receiver's hands/body until after one of his feet touched the ground OB. Clearly an incomplete pass, based on the pure definition of a catch, i.e., requiring the ball to be firmly held and the receiver needing to demonstrate control of the ball by performing some action common to football before the ball contacts the ground, or some part of the receiver's body touches something OB. No doubt. The foot was OB before the ball was firmly held and a football action performed. Incomplete pass.
Welllllllllllll, maybe not. We all know that, after review, the on-field ruling of catch/TD was allowed to "stand," mystifying and befuddling most, if not all, of us.
I have a theory.
Perhaps, technology has become too good. With the ultra-fine clarity - and super-slo motion capability - of modern video technology, perhaps the ability to see such minor movement is taking something away from the game that was really never intended with the advent of replay. Perhaps the game is better served to allow such plays to be considered "good." As long as the ground doesn't truly assist the receiver in securing the ball; as long as the receiver isn't OB before he has any amount of control of the ball; as long as he can keep the ball in his hand(s), or pinned against his body with at least one hand, even if the ball slides around a bit, maybe the receiver should be given credit for making the play, and the ruling should be "catch."
Maybe that is what the players want. Maybe that is what the coaches want. Maybe that is what the executives/administrators want. Maybe that is what the fans want.
If so, then this particular play would certainly fall into that category, thus, successful catch (or, at least the ruling on the field stands).
Just a theory.
Robert