Had a bit of a discussion after a game about a foul we didn't call and it divided the crew a bit, so I'd like to hear your opinions:
Situation: 4th and 3 at the 50. After the 3rd down play, the defense quickly sends on their punt return team assuming a punt (a group of 4 on special teams, replacing 4 of the base defense). Realizing the offense didn't send their punter on, the defense coach calls the return team back and puts the base defense back out on the field. This is a violation of 3-7-3, being substituted and returning to the field during the same dead ball period, but the white hat was of a very strong opinion that he would never enforce that foul in that situation.
By rule, this is irrelevant, but the new players weren't lined up in formation, they had maybe made it out to the hash marks before they turned around and went back and not all of the base defense players had made it to the sideline. I was the wing on the offense's sideline and couldn't really tell what was happening across the field at the time.
