I was unsure whether the ball was tipped because I was not watching the passer, like Smiley mentioned. I just know the ball came out strangely. I found out later there was no tip, rather the QB was hit when releasing the pass.
I did step up, but the lineman clumped right in the middle where I was stepping up in the other pass plays, so I didn't get to the line. I'm sure there are ways to get there anyway, but like I said, I'm a bit inexperienced in the position.
I know how I'd prefer this situation handled if I was the white hat, though (which I do a LOT more than U
). I would prefer a flag thrown immediately and then picked up after conference with the U rather than the other way around. And cmathews's advice, I think, is excellent. Benefit of the doubt should definitely be on the side of not flagging this, same as we would do with a passer being "close" to the LOS when releasing the ball.
Rich