Goalline coverage and communication

[Bob M.]

REPLY: Nothing wrong with the umpire blowing his whistle if he sees the ball down and there's been no other whistle. However, he should not signal a TD. Our umpires will typically grab their lanyard just below their collars (or their shirt just below the collar) to indicate that they have a ball in a runner's possession in the opponent's endzone. Then it's up to the wings to decide if the runner was down prior to crossing the goal. If not...ring it up.