I beleive technically, by rule, it is legal. thatis it meets the mechanical rules (withine the 9yard mark,etc...Yet, at the same time illegal (I'm sure that helps
) because the intent as I judge it here is to deceive the opponent. Of course play action pass is an attempt to deceive the opponet too...so go figure but I guess deception only applies to certain substitute situations...
This a quote from the casebook play you cited: Illegal
"if the official judges that A was using a replaced player or substitute in a substitution or pretended substitution to deceive the opponents." Or, in other words, "legal" if not judged to be deceptive and (implied) it meats other rules restrictions
I am also thinking this is one of those that unless the crew was briefed before hand to watch for this it is going to slip by most crews, even experienced ones...
Bullycon are you in the Nashville area? Not sure why I think that but maybe something I read from one of your posts?