Punt, fair catch, return, late hit

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

So the coach is saying that because his player was unaware the ball was dead because of the recovery after the fair catch -- which is very plausible -- that that should exonerate him from hitting out of bounds?!

Probably arguing the hit wouldn't have happened at all had the officials killed the play immediately.

Even if he's right, it still needs to be penalized.

[brainbrian]

Originally Posted by Adam

Probably arguing the hit wouldn't have happened at all had the officials killed the play immediately.

Even if he's right, it still needs to be penalized.

Yes, I believe that is what the coach was arguing. But thank you, this should still be penalized, got it.

As a followup question, should the time that elapsed while the returner was running with the ball after he called fair catch be put back on the clock if the officials know this time?

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Adam

Probably arguing the hit wouldn't have happened at all had the officials killed the play immediately.

I'm sure the hit wouldn't've happened if the receiver had never recovered the ball either, but what you gonna do, penalize him for causing the late hit?