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[i] This is good because it keeps the crowd from creating a riot. This is just one of the ways to educate those unaware of the rules. Normally a fan will expect the flag and then they get real rowdy, but after explaining that the QB was out of the pocket things quiet down and all is back to normal. [/B]
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I have to disagree. I believe it is the league's job to educate the public, whether it be before or after the game. During the game, there are announcers who can do this. But the game doesn't stop so a coach can explain why he called that play, or for the quarterback to explain how he misread the coverage. Imagine the following speech by the referee after each play.....
"On the previous play, the defensive end didn't hit the quarterback in the head so I didn't have a personal foul. The umpire saw #64 hold the nose guard but it wasn't at the point of attack and didn't affect the play, so we don't have a foul. The HL had seven men on the line of scrimmage so he doesn't have an illegal formation. The LJ saw the defense jump across the line of scrimmage but he wasn't unabated to the quarterback, no offensive player moved, and the defensive player got back before the ball was snapped, so there is no foul. The SJ saw contact between the receiver and the cornerback but it was within 5 yards so there is no foul. The FJ counted 11 players before the snap so there is no foul. And finally, the backjudge was watching the 40 second clock and the ball was snapped prior to the clock running out, so it is a legal play. By rule, since there were no fouls, it will now be second down."