Block After Fair Catch Signal

[TXMike]

Perhaps the advantage/disadvantage philosophy is why this was not flagged?

[yt=425,350]yZj2Vz4pntA[/yt]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZj2Vz4pntA

[Getting Fat]

Wouldn't this be considered a safety foul that should be called regardless?

[BankerRef]

Maybe my screen resolution isn't so good but I don't see any signal for fair catch.  I've got nothin.

[NCAA-SJ]

Agree on both counts...

#1-safety, foul regardless if it occurs

#2-I don't see a signal either, so no foul (unless both of us need new HD monitors)

[azsteam]

I saw a FC signal during the game and then he block.  On the video it's hard to see.

Does Auburn always run the same punt formation?  Talk about a nightmare to see who was on the end of line at the start and the snap.  I believe I saw one formation where A player was on the far left side of the formation and when they motion out he was at the far right side of it.  Both times he was the player on the end of the line.

[Etref]

I do not see it on the clip.

[LittleWhistle]

Remember seeing this live and making a comment on it....Full screen at home I rewinded about 10 times and he def. did signal (albeit it is an invalid signal it appears)

[Diablo]

Remember seeing this live and making a comment on it....Full screen at home I rewinded about 10 times and he def. did signal (albeit it is an invalid signal it appears)

Valid or invalid - don't make no difference.  Either begets a foul unless the signaler touched the ball prior to the block.
It appears the block occurred on the B-4.  If flagged, it would have rendered Auburn 1/10 at their own 2, instead of 20 yardline.  Significantly different play calling.

[bushman]

I saw it when it happened and thought it was a foul, I reviewed it in slow motion and he does give two weak signals and then blocks. By rule a foul, in a championship game? What you don't know is was the crew told to made them all big fouls. I can tell you for a fact that crews are told to not call marginal fouls in bigtime games.
If you don't walk in their shoes be gentle to make hard judgement. I thought the crew did an outstanding job and the media is NOT talking about the officials for the next 9 months. Well done guys.

[Diablo]

I saw it when it happened and thought it was a foul, I reviewed it in slow motion and he does give two weak signals and then blocks. By rule a foul, in a championship game? What you don't know is was the crew told to made them all big fouls. I can tell you for a fact that crews are told to not call marginal fouls in bigtime games.

I guess a major criteria for "big fouls" would be, the act put the alleged offended team at a disadvantage.  In this particular situation that translates to, did the fair catch signaler's block prevent the blockee from recovering the kick before the ball went into the EZ?
Whatchathink?

[blindref757]

I saw it when it happened and thought it was a foul, I reviewed it in slow motion and he does give two weak signals and then blocks. By rule a foul, in a championship game? What you don't know is was the crew told to made them all big fouls. I can tell you for a fact that crews are told to not call marginal fouls in bigtime games.
If you don't walk in their shoes be gentle to make hard judgement. I thought the crew did an outstanding job and the media is NOT talking about the officials for the next 9 months. Well done guys.

I too agree that this was a very well officiated game.

However, aren't all games big games to someone?  That being said...I don't think marginal calls are ever a good thing.  In every given game there are 100 plays that might have marginal fouls that could be justifiable by the book, but not necessarily copacetic in real life (like a USC for a salute).  We all should practice calling the big things that make a real difference in a game...the ones that show up on film...not the marginal stuff.

[Birddog]

I saw this during the game and even mentioned it during chat.  Looks like the receiver gives a get away type signal, definitely not a valid signal.  Would really be interested in what a conference supervisor type would say on this play.  This would go unnoticed by 99% of coaches and even more fans.