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Expert: - 9/21/2006


Question
OK, I appoligize for my strong language about doubting the officials integrity.  That was wrong.

Here is a pcture to show you just how CATCHABLE that pass was had there not been illegal contact with the reciever.
Just very confusing to me.  There is PI if there is contact before the ball is touched, which there was.  But you say if it is deemed uncatchable then no PI applies.  But without the defender hanging on him that was was very catchable.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/MortisPactum/untitled.jpg  

Answer
If that still photograph were the only evidence of the play I would opine that the ball was catchable and for certain there was DPI.  But the angle is misleading having seen the TV footage you provided.  Having viewed the footage it "can be" deemed uncatchable.  Remember it is a judgement call.  The on field calling official called it DPI, but with the angles viewed by others and replay, it was deemed uncatchable.

Conversly some there are some passes thrown that are ruled catchable when most wold say it was too high or far away from a receiver.  Having viewed hundreds of hours of catchable and non catchable passes and DPI plays, the instant play is not unreasinable when ruled uncatchable.  Another official this week might rule the same play as catchable.

Just like in baseball, one home plate umpire might consider the strike zone to be 3 inches tighter than another.  Unfortunately what is being ruled upon is subjective, even though the officials try their utmost to be uniformed and consistant in their rulings.  

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