That was a crew of 7. This is something the deep wing should have been looking for. The R has responsibility for the passer, and other action behind the play, at this point, and the U should still be checking line play. The L might be able to see this, as there are no other blockers or opponent's around the BC, so he should not have "tunnel vision" on the BC, and can look around/ahead of the BC.
But, action ahead of the BC has got to be the deep wing - "F" in this case - and the B. This blocker was the F's key (even though you can't read numbers, the blocker has black shoes, and the widest receiver on this side had black shoes - the inside guy had white shoes) so the deep wing should definitely pick this up. On this type of play, experience should tell us to check for the guy "swimming against the stream," and keep our attention on him. Deep wings don't have progress (until the B-2), so he should be paying virtually no attention the BC. In this day and time, with so much emphasis on targeting, we simply have to maintain focus on our keys, so we can see these acts develop. After we hear the crack of the helmets - it is too late. We will neither know if there was use of the crown of the helmet or contact above the shoulders, WITH an indicator, in either case.
Tough enough with a crew of 8 and replay. Even tougher with a crew of 7 and no replay. But dang near impossible with 5. But we have to try. We simply have to be prepared for this type of play to happen, and be looking in those "high crime" areas, whenever possible. If we see the guy with a brick in his hand - he isn't guilty yet - but we need to see him throw the brick through the window. After the fact is too late, because it then becomes circumstantial, and we can't officiate based on circumstantial evidence.
Robert
