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REPLY: My two cents...I agree with kentref on (b) that in the past, holding would be called in that situation only if the pass was not yet airborne. The overarching question is really should you call holding at all? Unless the grab does something to obviously restrict the receiver and really keep him from participating in the rest of the play, keep the flag in your pocket. In my opinion, here's the thought process you should follow for such plays:
1. See the 'hold.' That is, see the whole play.
2. Take a look toward A's backfield. If it's a running play, keep the flag in your pocket. Talk the the defender discretely afterwards about "watching his hands." If it's a pass and the QB is releasing (or has released) the ball to another receiver not in the vicinity of the hold, same thing. If, however, the QB is still scanning the field for a receiver and you believe that the grab either materially impacted the potential receiver's route or impacted the QB's decision to throw the ball his way, then drop the flag--regardless of whether or not the pass is ultimately thrown and regardless of where the ball is ultimately thrown.
I'm pretty sure that the Fed's Case Book play (Situation 11 on p. 6) is written in a way that technically describes the rule--not necessarily how such a play should be officiated.
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Bob M.
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