Replay rules convoluted, so ruling was, too

Jon Gruden should consider it a lesson learned.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published November 20, 2007

The Bucs lost a fumble by the defense Sunday after a review. Coach Jon Gruden said he figured officials look at a whole play.
	[Getty Images]

TAMPA - Jon Gruden should consider it a lesson learned.

In the midst of all the madness on an NFL sideline, it might be too much to ask that coaches be experts on the league's convoluted instant-replay policies.

But it appears that's the expectation anyway.

Gruden learned as much when the Bucs lost a replay challenge in the second quarter of Sunday's game at Atlanta on a bizarre play involving two issues. A ruling was given on one question but not the other, on which the Bucs probably stood a higher chance of success.

"I'm under the assumption that instant replay reviews the whole play, not just a segment of the play," Gruden said Monday, a day after the Bucs' 31-7 thrashing of the Falcons. "I thought they looked at the whole play. That was a challenge I felt we should have won. I'm sure we'll hear from the league at some point during the week with their interpretation."

On the play, linebacker Cato June forced a fumble by Falcons receiver Roddy White. Bucs cornerback Brian Kelly recovered and, as he was being tackled, pitched the ball to June, who fumbled the ball away to the Falcons.

When the Bucs challenged the ruling, referee Walt Coleman determined that Tampa Bay sought a decision on whether Kelly was down before pitching to June - not whether June was down before his fumble, as replays indicated. It seems there was confusion for both parties.

"I was told I couldn't challenge the play, then I was told I could," Gruden said. "We had a long discussion. Then, when (Coleman) went under the hood, I thought he was just going to look at the whole play for himself."

But that was an incorrect assumption. The referee is limited to ruling only on the exact issue called into question.

The episode might prompt discussion on simplifying complex and evolving rules governing instant replay. Expect the Bucs to make an issue of it, considering this is a franchise that has proposed radical legislation to make all penalties subject to review. The measure failed during the owners' meetings last spring.

"It is hard when a play like that occurs," Gruden said.

Two-way player:Ronde Barber is the league's most offensive defensive player by at least one measure: the cornerback's 41-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Falcons tied him with Vikings safety Darren Sharper for the most career touchdowns among active defensive players. Barber and Sharper have nine touchdowns by fumble recoveries or interceptions. The Dolphins' Jason Taylor has eight, followed by Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks and three others at seven.

Michigan, too?:Another day, another job rumor involving Gruden. His name was bandied about the Internet in connection with the job at Michigan after Lloyd Carrannounced his retirement Monday. Gruden has been rumored as a candidate for jobs with the University of Tennessee and the Philadelphia Eagles, should they become vacant.

"I don't know anything about that," he said. "I have what I think is the best job in all of football, and I'm very happy to be here."

Game time changes: The game Dec. 2 at New Orleans has been moved to 4:15 p.m. so it can be seen by a larger TV audience. It had been set for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

[Last modified November 20, 2007, 00:29:22]