Safety in Sugar Bowl (video link below)

[Welpe]

Yes, I personally would rule the same in the middle of the field.

[Blind-n-1i]

Are there any national or conference philosophies on runners breaking free after being driven back and allowing the play to continue?  It seems to me that being held and driven back 5 yards seems to satisfy the requirement of a runner being held so that his progress is stopped.  In other words, why isn't the ball already dead before the runner "breaks free"?  Treating it otherwise seems to give him more than one bite at the apple.

Welpe...Good discussion about the philosophy of what to do. The conferences I have been a part of have used a philosophy of 1 tackler vs multiple tacklers on the runner. Philosophically if one tackler is on a runner give the runner an opportunity to break free from this tackle if 2 or more are on the runner then shut it down if they have him under control. In this case some may argue that the runner breaks free for a split second before being tackled. However, it can also be argued that giving a 3 yard loss in the field of play is one thing, but ruling a safety on the play also gives the ball to the other team...so you get the double whammy. IMO this play should be ruled dead at the 2 not a safety thus leading to giving the ball to Arkansas as well.

Just as we should avoid giving cheap fumbles we should avoid giving cheap scores...or in this case, a safety.

[BackJudge4Life]

I still think it should have been FP because A got the ball out of the endzone, and B pushed him back in. 

[110]

This is NEVER the R's call in this scenario just like U's don't signal TDs.  Looked to me as if he signalled after the wing official told him he was ruling safety.

Ah, must be a Canoodian mechanic variance. U's can signal touchdowns up here, too.

[FLBJ]

Well, I was hoping to get 100 votes but 85 ain't bad.

When I saw this play, I ruled FP. IMHO, a safety is when the OFFENSE puts the ball in their EZ and can't get it out of there. In my view, when he broke free was after being put into the EZ. That being said, some discussion has taken place about whether there was separation BEFORE he got into the EZ in which case, maybe safety IS correct.

If 23% of you feel it was a safety, we should give enough leeway to the calling official about his judgement.

Interestingly, I spoke with an experienced (read OLD,  ) official the next day who said, '10 officials see that, 3 will rule a safety'. Pretty good analysis based on our results!

Thanks for voting!

[Atlanta Blue]

Well, at least one of your votes didn't come from an official, just a coach!

[Curious]

Well, I was hoping to get 100 votes but 85 ain't bad.
That being said, some discussion has taken place about whether there was separation BEFORE he got into the EZ in which case, maybe safety IS correct.
If 23% of you feel it was a safety, we should give enough leeway to the calling official about his judgement.

First, thanks for running the poll; there was some "interesting" discussion.  But, can this REALLY be your conclusion? 

From what I see in the film, there was (maybe) a slight separation in the end zone - but WAY AFTER the runner had been driven back 5 or 6 yards.  Forward progress was stopped!

[FLBJ]

First, thanks for running the poll; there was some "interesting" discussion.  But, can this REALLY be your conclusion? 

No, I still believe it's FP at the 2 BUT what the POLL should point out is that it's NOT a slam dunk and that since we weren't there and may not have seen the nuances of the play, we should give the official the benefit of the doubt and have an open mind.

BTW, Blue, you may be a coach by name but as much as you know and contribute to this board, you're an official whether you admit it or not!

[AlUpstateNY]

If 23% of you feel it was a safety, we should give enough leeway to the calling official about his judgement.
Thanks for voting!

Considering that the field official is the only person whose judgment actually matters, and when he is in an appropriate position to make the call, shouldn't we ALL, "give enough leeway to the calling official about his judgement"?

[FLBJ]

Considering that the field official is the only person whose judgment actually matters, and when he is in an appropriate position to make the call, shouldn't we ALL, "give enough leeway to the calling official about his judgement"?

Hell, I make mistakes all the time! I had one play this year I passed on. I was in the right position. No other crew members said/called anything. Sent it to 5 different officials. All said I was WRONG. Clearly my judgement wasn't good even though I was the official on the field! 

My point being not so sure that is the case here. While we had a majority, I don't know if we can say there is a consensus.

[TXMike]

Considering that the field official is the only person whose judgment actually matters, and when he is in an appropriate position to make the call, shouldn't we ALL, "give enough leeway to the calling official about his judgement"?

Has an official (to include you) EVER made a mistake?  ?  ?   There are few places where we can be honest with each other with the goal being to improve each other.  I would hope this is one of those places.

[AlUpstateNY]

Anybody who has worked "a" game, has made mistakes.  The question was about "leeway", not about constructive criticism.  There is a line, somewhere, bewteen constructive criticism, leeway and nitpicking something way past death. 

Perhaps someday we'll have the technology so everyone watching a game can instantly vote on whether the 285th camera shot proves something happended, or didn't happen, by a pubic hair, but I wonder if there will be anyone interested enough in the game left to care.  I frequently try and remind myself, "opinions are like IDIOTS, everyone has one, and it's just a little different than anyone elses".

[Atlanta Blue]

BTW, Blue, you may be a coach by name but as much as you know and contribute to this board, you're an official whether you admit it or not!

Thank you, but I know I don't qualify as an official.  But I do pay attention to the rules, and I hope I have expressed through my posts that I respect officials.

[110]

Thank you, but I know I don't qualify as an official.  But I do pay attention to the rules, and I hope I have expressed through my posts that I respect officials.

If that gets out, they-all gonna make you turn in your coaching card.

[Curious]

If that gets out, they-all gonna make you turn in your coaching card.

If you have to turn in your "coaching card", you can join my crew any time......you're more knowledgeable about the rules than most officials I know.  (Scary....I can't believe I just said that about a coach!)