Umpire threw flag for encroachment!?
 

I'm watching the Jax/Pats game and the umpire just threw a flag for encroachment on the try after the Jax tying score. I have to say I've never seen an umpire call offsides/encroachment.

I believe on the try U's primary focus is the center and he saw/heard helmet tap from nose tackle on center.

I just now tuned in, but I have to ask (for those who saw this) was the play stopped at that point? If so, that would mean to me there was contact by
the defense prior to the snap. Call sounds OK to me.

In NFL games I'm pretty sure there are enough officials to cover both sides of the line on a try. He called it as a dead ball foul, play was stopped.

From what I could tell the umpire was the only one that threw the flag. As an umpire, even on a try, I would never call an offsides. Encroachment maybe. But really the umpire is just supposed to be used in a support role for that call. The just don't have the angle to call that.

Keep in mind that the NFL uses the "double U" on a try and both of them are within 5 yards of the LOS. With that positioning I've got no problem with the flag. Also, I didn't see any argument from the offender.

When there is contact from a defensive player on an offensive lineman, they throw flags all the time when the ball has not been snapped. I personally see flags by umpires on this all the time. The wings cannot always tell if there is contact before the snap.

Peace

In a session in my local association meeting, an experienced Arena white hat said that the umpire is downgraded if he does not flag an encroachment.