Quote:
Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule
While logical consistency (what I think you are arguing for) is important, so is competitive fairness.
tldr: I don't see the competitive fairness of giving the ball to the defensive team at the 20. a better rule is the ball is placed at the one with the down determined by the previous play
The rule as it is written is punitive to the offense without basis. On punts, kickoffs or other implementations the offense is surrendering the ball and that makes sense. In the case of a forced or even worse, an unforced fumble, the offense receives a punishment, and the defense gains a reward, that is greatly exaggerated by the demarcation of the endzone boundaries. In the field of play a fumble is ruled for the offense at the spot it went out of bounds.
I think the logical consistency for fumbling out of bounds in the endzone should be a pass interference in the endzone. In both cases the offense cannot be given the ball where they would receive it in the field of play, so they are given it at the 1 yard line. So this is how I would change the rule.
For a fumble out of the opponents endzone by an offensive player:
1) the ball will be spotted at the 1 yard line.
2) the upcoming down and possession will be determined by the spot of the fumble and the last down played.
examples:
a) on any down the offensive player passes the first down marker at the 3 and fumbles out of the endzone.
Offense retains possesion with 1st down at the 1
b) on 1st, 2nd or 3rd and goal to go, the offensive player fumbles out of the endzone
Offense retains possesion and the down is the next successive down with the ball placed the 1
c) on 4th and goal to go, the offensive player fumbles out of the endzone.
Defensive team takes over with 1st and 10 at their 1 yard line.
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Ok, not saying this one doesn't make sense (but it would have to be spot of the fumble UNLESS it's within 1 yard of the goal line. IE: fumble at the 3 can't give you the ball at the 1).
But what I don't like is it gives offense a huge incentive to not be careful with the ball: extend it and you wether score or get it back at the 1... The reward is high (a TD), so lessening the risk isn't fair IMO.