Video Play #1 from last friday night

[HawkeyeCubP]

No.

[JugglingReferee]

Are we talking about the contact at the 0:02 mark, at the 20 yard line?

If so, then I think this contact is nothing.

[JRutledge]

No. It looked like they both engaged each other. There was also no advantage from the play.

Peace

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

No. It looked like they both engaged each other. There was also no advantage from the play.

Peace

Agreed. What little separation might've occured did not yield any advantage to the offensive receiver.

[Mike L]

In a word, no.

[tjones1]

I've got nothing.

[Ed Hickland]

OPI? The restriction is on the offensive player from the snap. The player knows the play therefore has an advantage over the defender.

It appears the offensive receiver initiated a block on the defender. When I was a downfield official as soon as I saw a block it was time to cover the running game. If a pass was thrown pass the line of scrimmage it was an OPI.

Thinks this meets the test.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

OPI? The restriction is on the offensive player from the snap. The player knows the play therefore has an advantage over the defender.

It appears the offensive receiver initiated a block on the defender. When I was a downfield official as soon as I saw a block it was time to cover the running game. If a pass was thrown pass the line of scrimmage it was an OPI.

Thinks this meets the test.

I agree. It looks like the receiver had the LB in his sights the entire time.

[grantsrc]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

OPI? The restriction is on the offensive player from the snap. The player knows the play therefore has an advantage over the defender.

It appears the offensive receiver initiated a block on the defender. When I was a downfield official as soon as I saw a block it was time to cover the running game. If a pass was thrown pass the line of scrimmage it was an OPI.

Thinks this meets the test.

Ed,
Your criteria are accurate for calling DPI. If you watch the LB after the contact, he continues with his pass protection. He steps up to defend the scramble, not because of the contact. Althought the WR does initiate contact, I wouldn't call it a "block" as he doesn't engage him and he continues to run his route. In addition, the contact didn't cause the separation between the two.

I would say that this is something to definitely talk about with your WR and your wing officials. I would also talk with your wing officials to finish officiating the play, even though you know it is coming back. Watch the calling official.

I say no call is the right call.