WTF?

The first Patriots play of the Super Bowl

I’ve said before that the better team won the game, and I stand by that. My issue today is with the first play the Patriots Offense had.

Thanks to a well placed punt by the Giants, Tom Brady first got his hands on the ball inside his own 10-yard line. Getting in shotgun formation, Tom was standing in his end-zone when the ball was snapped. The offensive line disintegrated, and Giants defenders were closing in. Tom threw the ball before he was taken down, but the ball landed well beyond the reach of any Patriots receivers.

Then a flag was thrown for intentional grounding, which was the right call. In addition to the flag, the Giants bet two points for a safety, and the Giants then had the lead 2 – 0.

The commentators, both during the game and since, have stated that the rule is written that when a quarterback is called for intentional grounding while in the end-zone, it’s an automatic safety.

My question isn’t with the call, it’s with the rule.

I’m no expert, but if a quarterback is called for intentional grounding anywhere else on the field, the threatening defensive players do not get credit for the sack. This makes sense, because a sack is defined by tackling the quarterback while he has the ball. Therefore, either the quarterback has the ball and is tackled – a sack or the ball is thrown prior to the tackle – a possible intentional grounding.

One or the other.

Calling intentional grounding negates a safety because the ball can’t both be thrown away and tackled with the quarterback in the end-zone in the same play.

Think what you will, but if Eli did the same thing I’d be making the same argument.

My hope is that someone comes to their senses and changes the rulebook accordingly before next season.