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Originally Posted by kdf5
7-5-12 . . . Ineligible A players may not advance beyond the expanded neutral zone on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is in flight. If B touches the pass in or behind the neutral zone, this restriction is terminated. An ineligible is not illegally downfield if, at the snap, he immediately contacts a B lineman and the contact does not continue beyond the expanded neutral zone.
Once the pass crosses the neutral zone lineman can advance downfield. There's no restriction on how far they can go. If the forward pass doesn't cross the NZ they can go downfield at any time.
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I believe that you and MJT have the final assessment wrong here. The rule states that ineligibles for A can't be beyond the expanded neutral zone until the legal forward pass is in flight. If the pass does not cross the neutral zone then there are no restrictions as to ineligibles crossing the neutral zone prior to the pass. However for passes that do cross the neutral zone the limitations on ineligibles is based on when the ball is in flight and not when it crosses the neutral zone.