Take this example:
The kick is in flight when the PR signals for the fair catch. Before he catches it, the ball hits the ground and bounces in his direction. He then catches the ball. In this case, can he advance the ball and be tackled?
Diablo was trying to get you to check the definition of a catch versus a recovery. Once the ball hits the ground, it is no longer in flight, thus, can't be "caught." Fair catch rules apply to "catches" only - not to recoveries. There is no such thing as a fair recovery.
But, one of the provisions of the fair catch rules is that, once any B player makes ANY kind of signal - valid or invalid - no one on B will be able to advance the ball - period - caught or recovered. Only a player that makes a VALID signal and CATCHES the ball is afforded fair catch protection. i.e., he can't be tackled or blocked after he completes the catch. Any other B player that catches or recovers is prohibited from advancing, AND he will not draw a foul if he is simply tackled or blocked after the catch.
