[Mike Simonds]

You bring up a good point about the ineligible rule in your first sentence. Ineligibles cannot advance beyond the neutral zone at any time prior to the time the legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone leaves the passer's hand. The only time they can be beyond the neutral zone is if they are blocking a B player within the expanded neutral zone. Also remember that if you read the NF case book under chapter 7 the ineligibles cannot block a B player beyond the expanded neutral zone otherwise they commit offensive pass interference.

Last season had a play where the QB rolls out right, an OL who is not blocking anyone drifts down field about 5 yards, then retreats behind the line, defensive CB comes up because he thinks OL is pulling out to run block, then QB throws a touchdown to the CB's uncovered receiver. As the umpire I was in a good position to make the call. Coach did not like it because he thought the OL lineman just had to be back at the time the pass was thrown. But the intent of the rule is that they must be back at all times during the period before the pass is thrown. As you can see from my example, the offense had gained an unfair advantage during this play.

Rule 7 needs to be read in conjunction with the related definitions in rule 2. Don't have my rule books handy but perhaps another official can get back to you about the rule reference for blocking in the expanded neutral zone.