False Start?

[starman]

Thanks guys. I thought that I remembered Payton Manning being called for a penalty on a similiar play a year ro two ago duirng a playoff game, but I must be remembering it wrong.

[BoomerSooner]

The play I think you may be thinking of happened when Manning was under center. He settled in under center and then started doing his usual checks and moving around to "change" the play. As he was slid behind the guard and pointing like a maniac, the center snapped it to the running back (E. James), who ran for a first down. This play was flagged as the NFL has the requirement that once taking a position under center that player must take the snap. I'm not an NFL rules expert, but I think there may be an exception. Something like moving from under center and resetting in a shotgun formation might be disolve the requirment, but the general intent of the rule is to prevent deception.

[starman]

That is the play I am thinking of. I forgot the detials, but after reading your description, I remember it the same way. Thanks!

[MJT]

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner

I'm not an NFL rules expert, but I think there may be an exception. Something like moving from under center and resetting in a shotgun formation might be disolve the requirment, but the general intent of the rule is to prevent deception.

That is correct in the NFL, if he is under center, he must assume the position of a backfield player, and then the ball can be snapped to someone else and he is an eligible receiver. This is covered in rule 8-1-4 in the NFL rule book.