Auburn-LSU PI non-call

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Yup.

IMHO, if the tip comes after illegal contact, and the ball is catchable after the tip, the DPI (or OPI) still remains a possibility.

From the overhead shot it looks like the illegal contact caused caused the receiver not to be in position to make a reasonable attempt to catch the ball, of course, the officials did not have an overhead shot.

The defender obviously felt he was beat and interfering was the only way to prevent a touchdown, needless did he know his teammate would break up the pass.

Two things: we should blame Jamarcus Russell for throwing such a poor pass. For us NFHS guys this is pass interference since every pass is defined as catchable.

[TXMike]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

First of all, I agree with the no call. Ball is uncatchable. However, in the first pic posted, I *think* the players look closer than they actually are. The Auburn defender that tipped the ball, when he tipped it, was at least 2 yards in front of the receiver with the receiver moving even further away at the time.

NOW, take the same situation but one where the tip by the second defender is close enough that you believe that without the contact by the first defender, the pass is catchable. In other words, put this same play closer. Do you have DPI then? I hate to sound like I'm thinking too much into it, but I think you have to consider it then.

It is gonna take more than just being closer. In this play, the receiver has already left his feet so there is no way he is going to be able to go forward. He jumped straight up to stop his momentum from his route as the pass was on a line to go slightly behind him (but catchable had it not been cut off by the defender). If he had stayed on the ground you absolutely have to give him the benefit of the doubt but by jumping straight up, he has taken away any chance of moving himself forward to even compete for the ball.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by TXMike

It is gonna take more than just being closer. In this play, the receiver has already left his feet so there is no way he is going to be able to go forward. He jumped straight up to stop his momentum from his route as the pass was on a line to go slightly behind him (but catchable had it not been cut off by the defender). If he had stayed on the ground you absolutely have to give him the benefit of the doubt but by jumping straight up, he has taken away any chance of moving himself forward to even compete for the ball.

This account is 100% accurate.