Zebra
Somewhere in, NJ
Male, 62
I've officiated football for over 30 years, now in my 26th on the college level. I've worked NCAA playoffs at the Division II and III level. In addition, I've coached at the scholastic level and have been an educator for over 35 years. I have no interest whatsoever in being an NFL official! Ever!
First thought: why? You have heated benches and, believe me. it's hard enough leaving them to go on the field if it's cold. There is nothing in the NCAA rule book prohibiting it. But I'm imagining Bud Grant, the old-time coach of the Vikings, spinning in his grave. When the Vikings played outdoors, he didn't allow heated benches. Dugouts or soccer type enclosures? It just ain't football.
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You're talking NFL illegal contact beyond 5 yards. Offensive pass interference (OPI) rules begin with the snap. If a receiver makes contact - not just brushing past a defender or trying to get away - it is OPI. Defensive pass iterference begins once the ball is thriown.
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I have to tell you, the play situations that come up here are so strange. I just don't see this stuff. Anyway, if it's first down - the team is going under center fior the first time - you change it. If the QB says somnething and the officials respond. But if the center picks up the ball to show the ref, you have a foul on the offense.
College rules: Legally snapping the ball (a snap) is handing or passing it
backward from its position on the ground with a quick and continuous motion
of the hand or hands, the ball actually leaving the hand or hands in this motion
(Rule 4-1-4).
b. The snap starts when the ball is moved legally and ends when the ball leaves
the snapper’s hands (A.R. 7-1-5-I-II).
In addition:
Rule 7, ARTICLE 3. Each of the following is a dead-ball foul. Officials should
blow the whistle and not allow the play to continue. After the ball is ready for
play and before it is snapped:
a. Snapper. The snapper:
2. May not lift the ball, move it beyond the neutral zone or simulate the
start of a play
From my perspective, the play you describe should not happen. If it does, it's a foul. And if all else fails, use Rule 9-2-3-d: An obviously unfair act not specifically covered by the rules occurs during the game since the action is intended to deceive and abuse the rules of the game.
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In college or hs, the ball is dead when player hits ground so that is a touchback. In NFL, a player can get up and run. It would appear that we have a fumble.
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Pharmacist
Have you ever given someone the wrong prescription?
Call Center Employee (Retail)
Do you think it's just a matter of time before all U.S. companies move their customer support overseas?
Casting Director
Are the melt-down auditions on American Idol staged?
I'm sorry, but I do not understand what you're asking.
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It's a penalty for anyone to lead with their helmet. Why it's not called is a tough and good question. Almost every runner in an attempt to get more yardage "lowers shoulders" which, of course, lowers his head. It also is usually when they are about to get hit and they are slowing a bit. My sense is that most officials tend to see it as lowering the shoulders and not using the head as a weapon. It probably is more common to see defensive players attack the runner, creating a more forceful impact. But you're right - it should go both ways.
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There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with this. Not much different than the times when a punter takes a snap and runs around in the endzone (I think this was in last yeat's Super Bowl) to kill time before running out of bounds. Defensive teams have allowed offenses to score in order to get the ball back quickly. It isn't a "mockery" of te game, it's a strategy. As long as the ball carrier isn't taunting (e.g. waving it in the face of the opponent) it seems to be a legal and a smart move.
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