GarySJ

I found the explanation:

4. On a play from scrimmage, if an offensive player fumbles anywhere on the field during fourth down, only the fumbling player is permitted to recover and/or advance the ball. If any player fumbles after the two-minute warning in a half, only the fumbling player is permitted to recover and/or advance the ball. If recovered by any other offensive player, the ball is dead at the spot of the fumble unless it is recovered behind the spot of the fumble. In that case, the ball is dead at the spot of recovery. Any defensive player may recover and/or advance any fumble at any time.

So the offense may advance a fumble so long as it is not the last two minutes of the half, or fourth down. Neither was the case on the play in the Dolphins game.

From http://www.nfl.com/fans/rules/fumble

It seems to me that the purpose of the rule was to free the officials from the onerous task of having to judge "intent" in a touchy situation like this. That can be difficult to do; a hard-and-fast rule removes the incentive to fake a fumble, and saves the refs from having to make a difficult judgment call.

I realize most of you didn't watch because the Bucs game was on at the same time, but there was a ruling in the Dolphins-Jags game that surprised me.

On third and goal from about the 6, Jay Fielder made a dump-off pass to backup RB Ayanbadejo at the 3 yard line, who fumbled the ball FORWARD, where it was picked up and run into the end zone by Dolphins TE Randy McMichael.

I could have sworn the offense couldn't advance a fumble in the NFL, because of the "holy roller" play the Raiders pulled in the 70s. Ken Stabler very intentionally "fumbled" the ball forward, where Dave Casper fell on it in the end zone for a game-winning TD.

They called for a video review, but only to determine if Ayanbadejo was down. He wasn't. I thought they would rule that it was a fumble that was recovered but could not be advanced, giving Miami 4th and goal from the spot of the fumble. But the TD stood.

Anyone know the rule on this?

I disagree.  The official's decision actually made it a great game.

"Colts engineer most dramatic comeback in NFL History" makes a much better headline than "Colts score three but ultimately fall short."

And I say "Colts engineer most dramatic comeback in NFL History" is much better copy than "Colts win on technicality". I just hate to see a great game ruined by officials.

Here's a pic for the Bucs fans. Okay it's really about soccer but use your imagination:

As a neutral observer, it was still a crap call. I bet if you reviewed film of all the field goal attempts in the NFL this season, you'd find at least two dozen instances of "landing on another player" that weren't called.

The officials' decision to be ultra-pedantic at a critical moment ruined a great game.

Speaking of which, did you notice that Dontrelle Willis made a brief relief appearance in the Marlins-Giants series?

Interesting question, but as hypotheticals go, this one is up there with "what if USF had made the NCAA tournament under Seth Greenberg?"

I doubt Pedro can work relief AND pitch games 1-4-7 of a series. I think the latter would be a better use of his talents.

You know who this reminds me of? Doug Gottlieb. I'll leave it to my esteemed colleague/Notre Dame fan Bien to tell that story.

Not to mention how laughable the whole "too good for the ASC" thing sounds. Not that these guys can't play, but give me a break... 13 PPG in this league doesn't make you NBA material.

Atlanta will hammer the overrated Cubs. Giants will beat the Marlins, unless they get the 97 mojo working again. I think the Red Sox get by the Mulder-less A's. They are playing well. Yanks dispose of Minnesota.

NLCS I'm going with the Giants over Atlanta in 6. ALCS will be a battle royale and the best series of the playoffs... do I dare select the Red Sox to vanquish the hated Yanks?  Nah -- Yanks take it in seven. And it will probably end painfully for Red Sox Nation.

Giants vs Yanks in the Series. I like SF in six.

Ahhhhh, Schea Cotton. There's a name from the past. What if he'd shown up at USF that year instead of Alabama? I guess we'll never know.

I should qualify that by saying I was 12 when I read it. But it was a fun read, especially if you are a baseball fan of that era.

Ever read "The Bronx Zoo", by Sparky Lyle about the Yankees' 1978 season? It's pretty funny.

The Bills knew what they were getting into. They knew a first-round pick would demand first-round money. It's not like McGahee's injury was a secret. They would not have taken him at all were they not willing to pay him the money appropriate for his draft slot. It's a calculated risk on Buffalo's part.

The Bills knew what they were getting into. They knew a first-round pick would demand first-round money. It's not like McGahee's injury was a secret. They would not have taken him at all were they not willing to pay him the money appropriate for his draft slot. It's a calculated risk on Buffalo's part.

It was bound to happen sooner or later:

QB to leave early for USC

John David Booty, considered by some to be the No. 1 prep quarterback in the nation, will announce today he is forgoing his senior year of high school and will attend USC this fall. Booty, 18, learned he can graduate early if he passes an English class this summer, according to his father, John. He will take the class at his high school, Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, La. Booty, the younger brother of Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh Booty, decided to leave Evangel Christian early after his father was fired as the school's quarterbacks coach.

From http://www.sptimes.com/2003/04/17/Sports/QB_Dosh_to_transfer_o.shtml