A few things:
To waterfield: I enjoy your posts, but in this case, you are incorrect about one specific thing. Had the Eagles challenged the call, they would have won the challenge. There is indisputable evidence that the ball traveled forward. In this case, distinctions between "touching" or "bobbling" or "controlling" the ball are irrelevant.
Wilson released the ball at (or just prior) to the 47 yard line. It was FIRST TOUCHED by the trailing running back (#39, Mike Davis) at the 48 yard line. Even if Davis "controlled" the ball at the 49, whether the ball moved forward by
one yard or
two is irrelevant, because it is indisputable that the ball moved FORWARD. The ball moved forward by one full yard, and there is indisputable visual evidence to support that. Also, it does not matter that it is on a "two dimensional, flat TV screen," the evidence is still irrefutable.
Also-- to Saguaro: yes, I and many others would agree with you that Seahawks fans can be annoying. Their team got away with a call and their team won and they are STILL whining.
To Dr. funkenstein: kudos for bringing the funk to Dr. Einstein, you posted an awesome vid that gets to the heart of this debate. It's so good I am going to repost it here. Toward the end of the vid, you can see a player throw the ball BEHIND HIM AND OVER THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, and yet the ball STILL MOVES FORWARD. Fast forward to the 1:32 mark of the video to see the key point.
BCRams fan-- I disagree with you about the rule based on the above video. I can see how oither people would like to keep the rule as is, though.
To Recap:
As the rules are currently written, there is no question that the Seahawks committed an illegal forward pass. The ball moved forward from the 47 (released from Wilson's hands) to the 48 (when first touched by #39, Mike Davis).
The Eagles made a mistake in not challenging it, because they would have won the challenge.
Russell Wilson clearly the the ball behind him. Yet, the ball moved forward. For anyone who cannot reconcile these two facts, the answer can be found if you watch the video above. It's a physics thing.
In my opinion, the rule should be changed. If a player clearly and indisputably passes the ball BEHIND him, I believe it should be defined as a "backward pass," even if the player's momentum carries the ball forward. However: a strong case can be made for keeping the rule as-is, as well. It's kind of a matter of taste.
Lastly: I hate the Seahawks and love the Rams. I am only posting on this topic because I find it interesting from a physics standpoint.
