I have noticed when there is a play where the QB kneels down to the run out the clock, there is always a player about 10 yards behind the QB. Is this to prevent a fumble going for a TD? Or is there some other reason for it?
2007-12-24 12:06:42 · 15 answers · asked by wilman 2 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
For all those who said it is part of a formation -- it is not; there is always two players beside the QB in the backfield, so having a third back 5 yards behind the QB just adds to the already legal formation. So I figure it is just in case of a fumble, though how a kneel down could lead to a fumble is beyond me. I guess if there is a bad snap, there could be a fumble, but that would be pretty rare.
2007-12-24 16:33:15 · update #1
Yeah he is the Just in case something goes wrong guy
2007-12-24 12:14:30 · answer #1 · answered by Vikingsron2 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because a long time ago Herman Edwards returned a fumble for a touchdown against the New York Giants, when they decided to hand off the ball on the last play of the game rather than kneeling it. Now to ensure that never happens again, a player always stays way back in case of a fumble.
2007-12-24 12:49:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its just the teams normal formation for the most part. Most plays will have the running back/fullback in the backfield, and that is usually the player that is behind the QB when he kneels down.
It has nothing to do as a safety plan in case the QB fumbles.
2007-12-24 13:22:00 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
it is in the event he fumbles,so that the other team cannot recover the fumble and score a touchdown, a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and NY Giants was actually lost this way some years ago, the Giants quarterback turned to hand the ball off, fumbled, the Eagle defensive back picked it up and scored the game winning touchdown.
The game was played in the Meadowlands in 1978, and Jeff Pisarcik was the quarterback who fumbled and Herman Edwards recovered the fumble.
2007-12-24 12:22:38 · answer #4 · answered by kuiperbelt2003 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is about formations. When a team lines up to the line of scrimmage on offense, they have to have their people in a specific formation, or suffer a penalty. The player in the back is usually a running back. He isn't there to prevent fumbles, at least not primarily, perhaps on a secondary role, he might be there for that. but he's there to make sure the team is not penalized for illegal formation.
If they dont' follow formations, they'd have the players lining up all over the place in mass confusion
2007-12-24 12:21:55 · answer #5 · answered by tornado b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In case of a bad snap or fumble, so there is a possible safety net to either recover the ball or make a tackle.
2007-12-24 12:18:31 · answer #6 · answered by Zombie Birdhouse 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes ,just in case there is a fumble they have a player back there to prevent a touchdown
2007-12-24 12:43:28 · answer #7 · answered by thomasl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just to stop someone in case there is a fumble. It's just to be safe.
2007-12-24 12:10:21 · answer #8 · answered by myfav1 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
its a position for safety
in case a fumble or miss-snap or any thing could happen
2007-12-24 12:12:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
in case of a fumble
2007-12-24 14:19:31 · answer #10 · answered by johnny191191 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just in case of fumble....
2007-12-24 12:10:18 · answer #11 · answered by DaddyBoy 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋