So if a QB scrambles, he's not a runner? Interesting. The rule is very vague, as vague as a catch.
But the ball never left Herbert's hand. He had control of it before. The hand came forward empty. The ball went backwards. I honestly can't apply a definition where that action is a pass.
What if the scrambling qb throws it? Is that not a pass then?
I think the rule has been pretty clear. If the QBs hand is moving forward, even the slightest, it's considered to be in the throwing motion, even if the ball is in the QBs hand.
This is how I've always understood it.
Everything there's a play like this, I immediately look to see any forward movement, or was the ball stripped before moving forward.