Reviewed play in Greenbay game today
 

It was a punt. The Oakland player fielded it, made a couple moves, and was hit and the ball pops out. The ball ends up in Oakland's endzone where GB falls on it.

The call on the field was that the player was down before the ball came out. It was reviewed.

Now, on the replay you can clearly see the ball come out before he was down. You can also see the covering official coming up and really selling his call. He was pointing to the ground and getting his spot. Now, you cannot hear a whistle. Which leads to my question......

After review, it was ruled a fumble and a recovery by GB for the TD. I really could care less, but I can't help but wonder if the covering official was blowing his whistle. And if he was, why wouldn't this play then be called an inadvertant whistle?

I'm not well versed in the NFL rules and mechanics. So, maybe there's something here I'm unaware of. Maybe the guy wasn't blowing his whistle. But being a high school official, I know if I was the guy making the call I would also be blowing my whistle.

Any thoughts?

Earlier conversations this year would indicate that when the official gave a signal indicating the ball was dead it was the same as whistling. So you would have an inadvertant signal. Of course in the NFL the ball is not dead until the players decide it is.

Mike Pereria earlier this season said a whistle is not required to end a play, therefore, a whistle may not have sounded.

As I saw it the official who signalled down was on th eleft side of the runner, the ball came loose on the right side, therefore, he was not in good position to see the loose ball.

It was interesting to note Ed Hochuli reviewed not only the fumble but continued by reviewing to make sure Green Bay gained possession of the ball for the TD.

During the NFL Network segment with Pereira last week, he mentioned that an near-immediate recovery of the fumble by the opponents would over-ride the whistle.

They are instructed to stay off their whistle so more plays can be reviewed.