QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 29, 2013 -> 03:42 PM)
Yeah, but the rule is designed to stop the play from continuing. On a play where the helmet coming off is incidental to the end of the play, how does looking at the replay and calling it down where his helmet comes off further that goal? Instead, now we're lining them up in this dangerous position again and increasing the likelihood of further injury even more...and indeed, the next play, the center got injured.
This is what I said in the fantasy football thread in response to Jake trying to rationalize this call
QUOTE (Jake @ Nov 29, 2013 -> 12:46 PM)
I've been trying unsuccessfully of a way to word the rule that can allow that to be a touchdown but not encourage dangerous hits to an uncovered head
The only thing I can think is something that considers the falling to the ground with the ball "completing the action". If Bell was fighting for extra yards with his helmet off, of course the ball is dead immediately. But he was hit and falling to the ground at once, and the ball was spotted where he was mid air, which is kind of weird.
But I agree with Krush, there is a lot of gray area in it and someone could get hurt pretty bad.