Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim D.
Example, 88 is split wide on the line. 86 is on the line inside him. You are probably the only one on the crew who will know 86 is ineligible. The BJ can't always tell if 88 is on the line or not. Once the ball is snapped and 86 goes down field, there is no way for anyone to tell if he's eligible so you better have noted it and watched him.
It's also good to remember who your eligible were in case there is a question. If a coach or even another official suggest that number 88 or number 32 wasn't eligible, you can tell them that 88 was on the end and 32 was legally in the backfield. If they ask about 88 and you have a blank look on your face, you have problems.
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Note-In this scenario, young officials (or not so young) must be cautious to wait for the pass before dropping the flag. I've seen officials throw the flag as soon as the ineligible goes down field. Under Murphy's law, if you jump the gun you can guarantee that no pass will be thrown. Then you get to explain to the Referee the situation and the flag is then waved off.