Was it a catch?

[jjakq27]

I know the horse is dead but I wanted to share this clip of Jimmy Graham's TD catch and run from Monday Night game between the Saints and Giants.

If you haven't seen the play, it is eerily similar to the Jermaine Gresham's non-TD play from a few weeks back.

To me the difference is that Graham took three or four steps in the field before crossing the goal-line where Gresham gained control in the end-zone . Graham looked like he was losing possession of the ball as he was diving for the goal-line before he hit the ground. To me both plays should have been rule a TD regardless of their position on the field.

Graham's catch

http://www.nfl.com/v...9-yard-TD-catch

Gresham's catch

http://www.nfl.com/v...esham-s-near-TD

[redsbengalsbucks]

That play still gigs me. He made the catch got both feet down in the end zone and controlled the ball to the ground. That is a TD and it changes the outcome of the game. If the Bengals are only 3 down on the last drive they kick the FG and tie it up with almost no time left.

UUUUGHH!! I hate sounding like a Browns fan complaining about the Refs, but come on.

[Stripes]

I think both calls are correct (Graham TD, Gresham incompletion) within the context of the rule. I'm not sure I like the rule though.

Graham completed the catch before crossing into the endzone and then created controversy full seconds later. Gresham established control a bit more vaguely and then lost it much more quickly, in a manner pretty well aligned with what happened to Calvin Johnson in 2010.

[jjakq27]

My argument is that Graham appeared to be losing control of the ball as he was diving for the goal line and was clearly out of his hand before he hit the ground.

Gresham's hand didn't break contact with the ball until ithe ball made contact with the ground. And he never lost complete control like Graham did.

[skyline]

My argument is that Graham appeared to be losing control of the ball as he was diving for the goal line and was clearly out of his hand before he hit the ground. Gresham's hand didn't break contact with the ball until ithe ball made contact with the ground. And he never lost complete control like Graham did.

If a player has clear control before crossing the goal line, then you have a touchdown the split second that ball crosses the plane , regardless of what happens afterwards. It didn't look to me like Graham was losing control until AFTER the ball crossed the plane. I watched it quickly, though, so I could be wrong about that...

Like Stripes, I hate the rule...Calvin Johnson and Gresham should both get touchdowns. But, accroding to the rules, it seems like the correct call was made.