The Arizona Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday for the first time since 2002, which is also the same year the Cardinals last started a season with a 4-2 record.
That season also brought to light the “tuck rule,” which almost cost the Cardinals the game Sunday.
Darnell Dockett stripped the ball from Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo in the end zone and the Cardinals recovered it for a touchdown before the officials ruled the play was an incomplete pass.
The rule essentially states that if a player loses the ball anytime between starting a passing motion and touching his body with the football, it’s ruled an incomplete pass.
It implies the quarterback can flail and wave the ball around as much as he wants, and not worry about losing possession, so long as he doesn’t “tuck” the ball into his body.
The rule rewards players for not protecting the ball.
I understand that the rule gives officials a black and white way to determine fumbles and incomplete passes, but it is a ridiculous rule.
Abolish it.
