Ineligible Downfiedld on an Illegal Pass

[Ed Hickland]

Had this situation in a game.

Team A calls a running play. Linemen A69 and A67 go downfield about 7 yards to block.

B56 puts pressure on QB A7 who rushes toward the right sideline. Seeing A54 moving in his direction from the line of scrimmage toward him decides to throw the ball into an area no occupied by an eliglble receiver.

Two flags go up. LJ for an ineligible downfield. R for intentional grounding.

R gives B captain choice of ineligible or grounding penalty of which the captain accepts the grounding penalty.

U at halftime goes, how can you have an ineligible downfield on an illegal pass -- intentional grounding.

My answer is it is possible, especially, since neither official knows of the other's foul. The offended team captain in a multiple foul situation always has a choice of penalties that in this case is obvious, the intentional grounding.

Comment?