phipps@fortune.UUCP (Clay Phipps) (12/15/83)
To clarify the rationale for my recommended rule change:
I think the general concept that the team that last possessed
a fumbled ball before it left the field of play retains possession
is eminently reasonable. I ask that it be applied uniformly,
i.e., the ball leaving the field of play by crossing either the side line
or the end line. The general concept above is currently applied
only in the case that the ball leaves by the non-end-zone sideline.
The defending team has the opportunity to recover a fumbled ball at any time
between the fumble and when the ball leaves the field.
If they can't get it by then, there is no reason to just hand it to them
(why reward a defense that doesn't hustle after the ball ?).
Give it to the team that possessed it last, which will usually be
the offense; in the case of the ball leaving the end zone,
place the ball at some predetermined location (the 1, 3, or 20 yard lines
were suggested because they are predetermined locations for other situations).
-- Clay Phipps
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