Immaterial NFL Rules Question

digamma · 02-06-2005, 10:40 AM

From the Sports Guy's Intern's correction column:

In "A True Stomach Puncher," Simmons wrote: "6:29 -- All right, two amazing things here: First, the Dolphins have a white guy named Welker returning kicks. Second, this same white guy just ran a Patriots punt back 71 yards to the 2-yard line. Of course he did."

Then at 7:03 Simmons wrote: "That was a grueling Patriots drive: 12 plays, 10 runs, 54 yards and a Dillon TD. 14-7, Patriots. And the Dolphins don't have a first down yet."

Writes Chris Babcock in Savannah: "In the NFL a first down is awarded whenever an offensive team moves the ball past the line-to-gain. When the Dolphins ran the ball back to the two the line-to-gain was established at the goal line. When they scored they received six points and a first down."

Is the corrector (Babcock) right? When you score a TD, you receive six points and an extra point attempt, not a first down, no? I know this is semantics and really doesn't matter, but still...

Seems like a perfect topic for FOFC...

Draft Dodger · 02-06-2005, 10:42 AM

I'm inclined to believe Babcock, but it's just an assumption

Passacaglia · 02-06-2005, 10:44 AM

Is that Shorty's brother?

jamesUMD · 02-06-2005, 10:48 AM

I don't think that you get a first down in that situation. I am 99% certain.

gottimd · 02-06-2005, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesUMD

I don't think that you get a first down in that situation. I am 99% certain.

If you are not credited with a first down in that situation, then it could be possible to, but very unlikely, on your first set of downs on each drive score on third down, but yet never record a first down? I think Chris Babcock is correct, that in going beyond the "line to go" marker in any situation essentially gives that team a first down in the books, no matter if a TD was scored or not.

ISiddiqui · 02-06-2005, 11:23 AM

Yes, the corrector is right. For every TD, it counts as a first down.

sabotai · 02-06-2005, 02:02 PM

Anyone saying either way have a source?

02-06-2005, 10:42 AM	#2
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	I'm inclined to believe Babcock, but it's just an assumption __________________ Mile High Hockey

02-06-2005, 10:44 AM	#3
Passacaglia Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Big Ten Country	Is that Shorty's brother? __________________ Pride and Prejudice -- an FOF9 Lions dynasty, starting 1966

02-06-2005, 10:48 AM	#4
jamesUMD High School JV Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Baltimore, MD	I don't think that you get a first down in that situation. I am 99% certain. __________________ HailtotheRedskins!

02-06-2005, 11:23 AM	#6
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Yes, the corrector is right. For every TD, it counts as a first down. __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

02-06-2005, 02:02 PM	#7
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	Anyone saying either way have a source?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)