New England at Jacksonville

[The Roamin' Umpire]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

No, what was missed was Trent Cole getting bear-hugged by Julius Jones on the play where Cole was called (rightly so) for roughing-the-passer.

Without seeing the play, the NFL doesn't want this call. One of the major things they consider when throwing a hold is "Did it have an effect on the play?" Clearly, the hold didn't bother Cole any, since he got to the QB anyway. Thus, no flag.

[NickelDeuce]

The only time the umpire rules of whether the ball is beyond or behind the line on a forward pass is when the ball is snapped at the 5 yard line or closer. The LJ rules on this the rest of the time.

The Umpire can see holding behind the offense just as well as he can behind the defense. I don't know what the problem was when they experimented with this a few years ago. I'll try to find out. I think it was a "Presence in the Middle" situation.

[RoyGardner]

That misses the point. If Julius Jones had not held Cole for a solid couple of seconds he would have gotten to the QB before he released the ball. It did not appear "fair" to let an obvious hold go and then call the late hit (RTP), when without the holding, Cole would have almost certainly had a sack.

[The Roamin' Umpire]

Originally Posted by RoyGardner

That misses the point. If Julius Jones had not held Cole for a solid couple of seconds he would have gotten to the QB before he released the ball. It did not appear "fair" to let an obvious hold go and then call the late hit (RTP), when without the holding, Cole would have almost certainly had a sack.

Right, brain fart. Somehow I was thinking that RTP was called when the sack had been successful anyway, but of course that can't happen...

[Rich]

Originally Posted by The Roamin' Umpire

Without seeing the play, the NFL doesn't want this call. One of the major things they consider when throwing a hold is "Did it have an effect on the play?" Clearly, the hold didn't bother Cole any, since he got to the QB anyway. Thus, no flag.

The bear hug almost certainly CAUSED the blow to the head. Without the bearhug it would've been an EASY sack. I have heard this philosophy before and it seems almost silly. If the QB dodges the rusher, will the U throw in a late flag?