You Make The Call: Shazier’s Interception

You Make The Call is a weekly feature from Steel City Underground which will challenge fans to examine officiating call(s) made in the previous Pittsburgh Steelers game. The goal is not to whine about calls, as we cannot change them long after the fact! Instead, this column is an opportunity to open discussion where fans can debate on and better educate themselves about the rules of the game.

This week’s choice “You Make The Call” is eerily similar to last week’s, where Ben Roethlisberger threw an “interception”. Many of us felt that the call was obscure, and it sure was: but maybe not so rare that it couldn’t flip in the Steelers favor and be called the very next week in their favor!

The Steelers were down 7-3 near the end of the first half, when their offense stalled and relinquished possession of the ball back to Jacksonville. The Jaguars started with excellent field position, on Pittsburgh’s 48-yard line, when on second down, Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles threw a pass to his tight end James O’Shaughnessy.

O’Shaughnessy appears to possess the football, attempting to go to the ground after contact is immediately made with Steelers defenders.

As he attempts to move upfield, O’Shaughnessy cannot be considered a runner, according to the NFL rule book:

A player has the ball long enough to clearly become a runner when, after his second foot is on the ground, he is capable of avoiding or warding off impending contact of an opponent, tucking the ball away, turning up field, or taking additional steps.

Ryan Shazier is the beneficiary of this week’s play, being credited with an interception.

If you missed last week’s rule interpretation, you may be scratching your head as to how this is an interception rather than a fumble. According to league rules, a receiver must complete the process of a catch in order to be considered a “runner”. Should the player not do so, and the ball not hit the ground before being possessed by the opponent, the play is technically an interception.

However, there was a major difference in this week’s play, as there’s no question as to whether O’Shaughnessy is never officially down by contact. As you watch the replay, notice how none of the tight end’s contact points, such as above the wrist, or his knee, make contact with the field. As this differs from Antonio Brown‘s catch, turn, and potentially taking steps last week, this week’s application of the rule appears to be on the money. According to the rules, O’Shaughnessy cannot be ruled down in this scenario:

An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended when a runner is contacted by an opponent and touches the ground with any part of his body other than his hands or feet. The ball is dead the instant the runner touches the ground. A runner touching the ground with his hands or feet while in the grasp of an opponent may continue to advance.

I don’t think we’ll get many arguments from Steelers Nation on this call but would still love to hear your comments. I believe this was an informative call to review, based on last week’s controversy, as well as a lack of other calls to review this week (with exception of holding, because, it’s holding, right?)