NFL - Defensive delay of the game for simulating the start of the play
 

Yesterday in the Jags/Titans game, one of the Titans DBs was lined up tight on a Jags receiver. The DB flinched but did not encroach (I'm pretty sure his motion was away from the LOS) and the receiver jumped. A defensive delay of game foul was called on the DB for simulating the start of the play.

Here is the game book entry: (4:40) PENALTY on TEN-C.Finnegan, Defensive Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at JAX 29 - No Play. X2

Anybody ever seen anything like that in an NFL game?

Can't recall seeing it in an NFL game but then I don't watch much NFL.

Certainly could justify the call in an NCAA game.
7-1-5-a-4
Player(s) aligned in a stationary position within one yard of the line of scrimmage may not make quick or abrupt actions that are not part of normal defensive player movement in an obvious attempt to cause an offensive player(s) to foul (false start). An official shall sound his whistle immediately [S7 and S21].
Note that it says nothing about the D player actually entering the NZ, that's covered in 7-1-5-a-2.

I have learned something, and that is always a good thing. Perhaps the NFL has a similar rule.

Thanks!

They inaugurated that about a decade ago. In one year, or maybe a year apart, the NFL created this as a version of false start (but categorized with DoG) for defensive linemen (which necessitated a definition for position on the line by the defense, which was made within 2 yards of their LOS) and made a point of emphasis of a long extant provision (in NCAA as well) against deliberately or repeatedly charging into the neutral zone as encroachment.

The rule against drawing the wide receivers offside is pretty silly. What business does the receiver have watching the defense for a sign that the ball's been put in play?

Anyway, the NCAA rule is even more recent, having been adopted in imitation of NFL's, which seems to be the way the changes are flowing lately.

Canadian football has had an "illegal procedure" call for DLs for a very long time, which is why in Canadian football you see the DLs get into 3 pt. stance just when they see their opposite OL do so.

Robert