Cruz should have handed the ball to the ref. However, he did 'gave himself up.' If you watch the replay, Cruz turns his head and sees the DBs coming at him and goes down. His first move was to turn and hurry back in the huddle. He made no effort to advance.
The applicable rule in the 2011 NFL Rule Book is found on page 35.
Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1 states that “An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended: (e): when a runner is out of bounds,
or declares himself down by falling to the ground, or kneeling, and making no effort to advance.”
The Key "... making no effort to advance."
There was about two minutes of game time. The Cardinals best chance to win was to stop Eli.
When I came back into the apt from the hallway. The Cardinals had no defense. Therefore, they lost the game.
Doesn't a player 'give himself up' by kneeling down without being touched?
Here's the difference with the Chargers at Patriots in 2010:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Richard Goodman, right, drops the ball as New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather, center, and cornerback Devin McCourty, left, dive for it in the second half during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in San Diego. The play resulted in a turnover for the Chargers.
And to all a good night....