Formation questions
 

With 8 men on the LOS, whats the maximun # of elegible receivers?
What does it mean when a receiver is said to be covered up?
thnx

5 possible, depending on numbering
It means someone who is probably supposed to be on the end of his line isn't because a teammate is, so he's now ineligible because he's not on the end and he's not a back.

Only the guys actually on the end of the line (or backs) are eligible receivers.

If a tight end, for instance, would be "on the end of the line" and an eligible receiver, but a wideout on his side of the snapper is farther up than he should be and is on the line of scrimmage, he "covers up" the tight end (renders him ineligible). If the tight end goes downfield, it's ineligible downfield. If he touches or catches a pass, it's illegal touching (right? new? used to be OPI?).

As a wing (or a back judge), I see if there's a tight end and if he's "covered" or not so I make a mental note in case that guy goes downfield.

(He can still go downfield if a pass occurs but it doesn't cross the neutral zone in flight, correct?)

Canadian Ruling
 

CANADIAN RULING:

6. That's assuming that there is not more than the legally allowed number of players on the field for that play. (See below.)

The two ends on the line of scrimmage, and all of the players not on the LOS, which is 4 (12 permitted - the 8 that you said were on the LOS).

If the offense had more than the allowed 12 players, then the extra player(s) could be eligible, but the play would be flagged for Illegal Substitution - Too Many Men. IS in Canada is only possible after a legal snap takes place.

CANADIAN TERMINOLOGY:

An eligible receiver is "covered" if there is a teammate also on the line of scrimmage, on the same side of and further from the ball. If a player eligible by number is covered, it makes that player ineligible, because that player is no longer the outermost player on the LS.