Offensive PI

[rdfox]

There is an additional major point...the balance between offense and defense.

The offense knows the play will be a pass and what route the potential receivers will take - the defense knows neither. To offset this, the offense can only send a few people downfield to catch a pass and they are restricted from blocking from the time of the snap through when the pass is caught (assuming the pass does go downfield). For the defense, the restrictions apply only while the pass is actually in the air.

So, if a receiver, who already has the "advantage" of knowing a pass is about to happen and to where, interferes with a defender's right to the ball, a more severe penalty is in order than just a distance penalty and replay.

That being said, I like what I read about some states experimenting with a lesser penalty of 5 yards and loss of down.