NFL Touchdown Rules

Question
I am a Patriot fan (not that it should matter).  I could not believe that the Raven player's catch in the end zone during the fourth quarter of the game yesterday was not counted as a touchdown.  Is there a time limit a player must hold on to the ball in the end zone before it is counted as a touchdown?  I have been watching pro football for several years now and some players seem to hold on to the ball for a fraction of a second in the end zone before releasing it to the ground or tossing it into the air in celebration for having scored a touchdown.  I would appreciate knowing whether or not this was an error on the part of the officials and why the Raven coach didn't appeal the lack of the call of a touchdown.  Thank you in advance.

Answer
Jennifer

The reason why it was not a TD is because the receiver has to complete the process of the catch.  In real time it is clear. Slowing it down to slow motion it looks like a catch that is then batted out of his hand.  For it to be a touchdown the receiver must complete the entire process of the catch and firmly hold on and control the ball.  He does not firmly control the ball- hence the ball is knocked out of his hand.    There is no time limit to making a catch but he has to complete the catch and establish himself as a runner with firm control of the ball. THe Officials correctly ruled on this play an incomplete pass.  The Field Judge was in perfect position to see the action and rule on it.  This is a correct call.


NFL spokesman Mike Signora stated "the ruling on the field of an incomplete pass was confirmed by the Instant Replay assistant, correctly, and as a result, there was no need to stop the game..."  "揟he receiver did not get his second foot down in the end zone with possession, and as a result, it was an incomplete pass."

Here is a Youtube clip of the play I think you ask about at the 11 second mark on the YouTube clip  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvwyNZ_32sM
Another view http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIH-GrnnPVM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxx0PLn9aLI&feature=related


FOX rules analyst Mike Pereira agreed with the call and tweeted and tested Prime Football Talk.com: Pereira stated 揅learly not a catch,?[the]  揃all coming out before second foot clearly down. . . .  No need to review it because it was clearly incomplete.?br>
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP / BALTIMORE AT NEW ENGLAND
THE SITUATION: New England had the ball, third-and-10 at the Baltimore 17-yard line with 3:11 left in the second quarter. The score was tied

Here is Mike Pereira's take on the game {Mike is a former NFL official , former VP of NFL Officiating and presently Fox Sports guru on NFL officiating and NFL rules.  Below is from his on-line column}
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/New-York-Giants-San-Francisco-49ers-New-Engla


THE PLAY: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady attempted a 12-yard pass to Rob Gronkowski that was ruled out of bounds by the officials.

MY TAKE: Sometimes you have to make a quick decision as a coach. If I were New England coach Bill Belichick, the last replay would have been enough for me to initiate a challenge, especially since a completed catch would have given the Patriots a first down. The question was when Gronkowski got control of the ball. It appeared to me that, when he did, his right toe was still on the ground. His left foot clearly came down in bounds. It was really close ?and they may have stayed with the call on the field ?but if it were me under the hood, I would have reversed it.

THE SITUATION: Baltimore had the ball, third-and-4 from the New England 29-yard line with 3:48 left in the third quarter. The Patriots led 16-10.

THE PLAY: Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco completed a 29-yard pass to Torrey Smith for a touchdown. The replay assistant initiated a challenge to the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was upheld.

MY TAKE: It was right to uphold the call that was made on the field. The camera shot from the inside made it look like Smith's heel was out of bounds. The camera shot from the outside made it look like he was in bounds. That alone is enough to let the ruling on the field stand. What it might suggest is that at some point, the NFL and/or the networks work to always have camera shots directly down both sidelines, the end lines and the goal line.

As you can see the play you ask about didn't get any coverage by Pereira as it was not close enough to any controversy.