Sorry Fallon, it's a fumble. This was taken from EHOWA.com, but Ernie's a stand up patriot even if not a Patriot's fan, so I trust it to be true. Hey, if it's on the internet, it MUST be true.
NFL Rule 3, Section 21, Article 2 Note 2: When a Team A player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his arm starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body. Also, if the player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble.
Note 3: If the player loses possession of the ball while attempting to recock his arm, it is a fumble.
Part of this I do have a problem with actually. Let's say a QB cocks his arm, makes forward motion, and doesn't throw, then rolls out, and then goes to throw again, long after the initial motion. If the ball is then knocked down, like a normal incomplete pass, would that be considered an incomplete pass? Or is it a fumble because of the initial forward motion earlier in the play?
I might not have worded that right, but I think you get what I mean.
<img src=http://www.virtue.nu/atamichimpo/skidbobsig.jpg>
This message was edited by skidmark on 1-23-02 @ 9:09 PM