Legal Screen Pass

[MJT]

Originally posted by The Roamin' Umpire
ljudge, I think this play is a bit different than you envision it.

What I'm seeing is the linemen 4-5 yards downfield pretending to run block, and the receiver (who is supposed to be behind the line of scrimmage) drifts too far downfield, making the catch either (a) less than a yard, or (b) more than a yard beyond the line of scrimmage.

In (a), I have no foul, as the pass did not go beyond the neutral zone. In (b), I have a flag - at minimum, there are ineligibles downfield. If they've made contact with anyone, then it's OPI.

I agree that if the linemen go two yards or less, then no foul in either situation.

I agree Roamin' Umpire, you need to give him some flexibility, less than a yard, cuz it is pretty tough to see exactly where he touches the pass to start his catch. You need to give him the benifit of the doubt if there is any since he, and probalby you are on the move.