Does this qualify as a "Where's the tee play"? Late in the first half A's head coach screams to his qb to spike the ball to stop the clock. QB fakes the spike and throws a long pass after the defense lets up. At first this seemed to be in the same vein as the Where's the tee play. But after discussing the play with other officials it seems that the defense must still be responsible for playing until the ball becomes dead. Offense did not try to trick them into thinking that the snap was not going to occur. Luckily the play didn't actually occur, the coach just told us about it in the pre-game discussion.

This sounds perfectly legal to me.

Bob

Whatever you think Ed, I agree! :)

Let's try this again.

This play does not qualify as an unsportsmanlike act because there is no deception to deceive. The ball would be snapped legally, however, instead of spiking the ball they execute a play.

Of course, some NFL fans may remember Dan Marino did exactly that to the New York Jets a few years ago.

I still agree with you, Ed. :)

Here's my take on things: the coach is becoming part of the play, in essence, therefore it is not a player deception.

I *would* be inclined, I think, to let the play go if it is a PLAYER ON THE FIELD yelling to the QB to spike the ball.