Roughing the "passer"

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bkdow

I don't remember the exact verbage but it was something like an unnecessary blow to the quarterback above the shoulders.

I think that's either exactly right, or very close. the fact that he said QB gave me pause. And I agree that on THAT play, it would be UNR anyway, and no enforcement difference.

Like I said, though, it got me thinking about RTP across the line.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by Adam

Did he pitch it forward?

No, it was an option pitch, or backwards pass.

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by Welpe

If it's 10 yards down field before he throws a forward pass, I'd be quite hesitant to throw for roughing unless he was very obviously hit late to the point I'd have thrown for a late hit anyways.

My thoughts on this sort of play is that players still have protection against unnecessary roughness, but if it's a clean hit, well, that's what all the armor is for. Since the OP described the tackle as something that I would normally consider a clean hit, I'm not going to penalize the defense for this.
If B takes two steps after the ball is gone and drives himself into the A illegal passer, I've definitely got PF for UR, in addition to IFP. We'll be replaying the down.