Video Play #1 from last friday night

[TerpZebra]

I am posting 3 video plays from a game our association serviced last week.

There was much discussion during our meeting on Monday night about the plays and I wanted to get the opinion of some other officials.

On this first play, offensive pass interference is called on Red #12. Red #12 is the inside receiver on the right side of the offense.

This is the press box view of the play

This is the press box view of the play in slow motion

This is the end zone view

This is the end zone view in slow motion

Do you agree with OPI being called on this play?

[cmathews]

Don't think it really warrants a flag, not enough of a block to me, more inadvertant contact

[GoodScout]

I concur. If the pass had been launched immediately after the contact and I felt the receiver pushed off, I might have seen it as OPI.

[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.

[parepat]

Are we sure that the official did not rule that the receiver was covered up? Thus, when he caught the ball he committed OPI. I know the rule changed a few years ago, but he did not throw the flag at the time of the contact. Just a thought.

[parepat]

Based on the contact I have nothing.

[PSU213]

Originally Posted by parepat

Are we sure that the official did not rule that the receiver was covered up? Thus, when he caught the ball he committed OPI. I know the rule changed a few years ago, but he did not throw the flag at the time of the contact. Just a thought.

From the press box view it seemed to me that he was clearly off the line (not that the official couldn't have seen it differently). That having been said this would be illegal touching, not OPI (which I think you were referring to in the post). Do we know for a fact that OPI was the call (and not illegal touching or something else)? But, yes, it does seem like the flag does not come down until the pass is caught, not on the contact between the players.

[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.