no pass interference on punts?

[falsecut]

Bears fan also. New rule on me as well. But I don't see how this NCAA rule would apply: "When a Team A potential kicker, from scrimmage kick formation, simulates a scrimmage kick by throwing the ball high and deep, and contact by a Team B player occurs." There was nothing thrown high nor did it seem to me that there was any intent to disguise the throw as a kick.

"Defensive holding, such as tackling a receiver, still can be called...." and it sure looked like to me that it should have been. Contact was clearly early, the receiver couldn't have been mistaken for a blocker, and the contact was from the middle of the field out to the sideline. It certainly seems like this was something the crew should have gotten.

Actually, for once this season, I actually got to watch some NFL football and I couldn't believe the number of times in the two games I watched (Bears and Giants) that the officials picked up a flag. And the explanations of penalties of the crew that did the Bears were lousy all game I thought.

[OverAndBack]

Yes, they struggled. McAulay (that's who it was, right?) is no Ronald Reagan.

[PackersFTW]

so the only penalty that can't be called is defensive pass interference, and this is because the defense would normally be blocking, and may not see that it's a pass, therefor keeps blocking as usual? and this can only happen with the outside guys (i think called gunners in a punt formation)? so if the tight end goes out for a pass, it can be DPI?

[ajmc]

To avoid any unnecessary confusion with the NFHS code, (NF:7.5.7) "Pass interference restrictions only apply beyond the neutral zone and only if the pass, untouched by B in or behind the NZ, crosses the neutral zone.

(NF:7.5.10.a) "It is pass interference if: (a) Any player of A or B who is beyond the NZ interferes with an eligible opponent's opportunity to move toward, catch or bat the pass."

[OverAndBack]

That's on a legal forward pass, right?

BTW, here's the play in question:

32MB version | 5 MB version

[PackersFTW]

Originally Posted by ajmc

To avoid any unnecessary confusion with the NFHS code, (NF:7.5.7) "Pass interference restrictions only apply beyond the neutral zone and only if the pass, untouched by B in or behind the NZ, crosses the neutral zone.

(NF:7.5.10.a) "It is pass interference if: (a) Any player of A or B who is beyond the NZ interferes with an eligible opponent's opportunity to move toward, catch or bat the pass."

right, and apparently nobody is eligible in a punt formation. so wouldn't it be illegal touching then when you fake a punt and pass? confusing.

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by PackersFTW

right, and apparently nobody is eligible in a punt formation. so wouldn't it be illegal touching then when you fake a punt and pass? confusing.

In which code? I thought the ends were eligible at least in the NFL. What are the rules in NCAA and NFHS?

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by SethPDX

In which code? I thought the ends were eligible at least in the NFL. What are the rules in NCAA and NFHS?

Both NCAA and NFHS, ends and backs with eligible numbers are eligible. Yes, Virginia, even on punts.

In NFHS, and I'm sure NCAA there's some additional rules about scrimmage kick formations but I'll spare you the details unless you really want them.

[JasonTX]

Originally Posted by falsecut

Bears fan also. New rule on me as well. But I don't see how this NCAA rule would apply: "When a Team A potential kicker, from scrimmage kick formation, simulates a scrimmage kick by throwing the ball high and deep, and contact by a Team B player occurs." There was nothing thrown high nor did it seem to me that there was any intent to disguise the throw as a kick.

I didn't say this rule was the same in the NFL. I was just wanting to point out that the NCAA has a similar rule. The "high and deep" part of the NCAA rule is not defined in the rule book so that is open to the ruling officials judgement as to what he thinks is "high and deep".

[football-1]

from larry mayer cb.com

That was certainly an interesting play, and I have to give both Corey Graham and referee Terry McAulay credit for being right on top of an unusual rule: Pass interference cannot be called on a fake punt in that situation. I could be wrong, but I believe it is a rule that was instituted to counter something that former Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan instructed his players to do back when he was head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Ryan would have his punter take the snap and throw the ball high and deep down the field. Players on the punt return team would block the gunners all the way down the field, thinking it was a punt. But because it was a pass, they would be penalized for illegal contact. Pretty tricky, huh?

before my time. since 1989.

but
high and deep = every pass