Wow!

[TXMike]

http://youtu.be/O7NKseTMlGA

[zebra99]

don't you just love those announcers and their "knowledge" of the rules - especially that "tackle eligible" rule I keep hearing about but can never find - they must have a better rule book than me!

[JasonTX]

Where do they find these guys.  Stupid announcer is an understatement. 

[clearwall]

Forget the announcers, what is with the OFFICIALS? How was this missed? I had this discussion last night with a fellow official who was just as confused about this rule, and I had to encourage him to re-read the rules to learn the correct call here. On our play, it was a try play and #50 was in the backfield and caught a pass. Luckily, he didnt score and the try was just ruled no good(i think the L held his flag back because of the score). Pro football really destroys people's NCAA rules knowledge.

[110]

Forget the announcers, what is with the OFFICIALS? How was this missed? I had this discussion last night with a fellow official who was just as confused about this rule, and I had to encourage him to re-read the rules to learn the correct call here. On our play, it was a try play and #50 was in the backfield and caught a pass. Luckily, he didnt score and the try was just ruled no good(i think the L held his flag back because of the score). Pro football really destroys people's NCAA rules knowledge.

Just guessing here, since I'm not fluent on NCAA rules, but aren't the eligible numbers relevant on receivers of forward passes? This wasn't a forward pass.

I am going to assume that the officials were informed of this in the pregame.

[Kalle]

From the video this looks like a pretty close call as to pass being forward or not. Mechanics, who should make the call? The wing has correctly moved to the goal line, the referee is behind and does not have a good angle either. The pass is thrown from well behind the LOS so the umpire does not have a good angle either.

I think the officials made the only possible call - not obviously forward so no foul.

[zebra99]

Where do they find these guys.  Stupid announcer is an understatement.

ok Clearwall - How was this "missed?"

[TXMike]

I think the officials made the only possible call - not obviously forward so no foul.

Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.   

[Osric Pureheart]

I think it's a backward pass.  The QB throws the ball from just ahead of B's 12, and it looks like he tries to throw it forward but then the momentum carries the ball backward to just behind B's 12.

[TxJim]

Where do they find these guys.  Stupid announcer is an understatement.

Tom Luginbill is the ESPN "talent" in this piece.

[clearwall]

ok Clearwall - How was this "missed?"

As stated above, forward pass caught by a restricted lineman. Seems pretty egregious imho

[Kalle]

As stated above, forward pass caught by a restricted lineman. Seems pretty egregious imho

Which official can rule this a forward pass? H and L can't do it from the goal line. R can't do it from behind the QB. U can't do it from the LOS.

Besides, watching it frame-by-frame I think it is a backward pass (the camera angle is bad, though).

[zebra99]

As stated above, forward pass caught by a restricted lineman. Seems pretty egregious imho

while close - doesn't look forward to me. Got to go with those who saw it live.  Not sure how you can so quickly label this one egregious when it's a legitimate debate.

[clearwall]

I donno, I guess I can see your argument after watching it really carefully again but I kind of think that makes my point valid. If I have to watch super slow-mo to convince myself it MIGHT be backward, I kind of have to go with what my first assumption was and that it was forward. Definitely can see your opinion, though.

[clearwall]

Which official can rule this a forward pass? H and L can't do it from the goal line. R can't do it from behind the QB. U can't do it from the LOS.

Question about this since I am not in-tuned to the 7 man mechanic. Wouldnt the S have the receiver on L's side, L would have the back going out? Why wouldnt L be able to rule on this if it was forward/Backward?

[Diablo]

I am on the same page as O. Pureheart.

Start with the video at 1:41.  Note, the QB releases the ball from the B-12.  Note, the just-released ball obscures the far hash mark designating the B-12.  Then, A54 first contacts the ball at the B-12.25; hence, backward. 

Remember, by rule the pass does not have to be truly backward.  It just has to not be forward.  So, even if A54 first touched it at the B-12.0, it would be considered a backward pass.

[Kalle]

Question about this since I am not in-tuned to the 7 man mechanic. Wouldnt the S have the receiver on L's side, L would have the back going out? Why wouldnt L be able to rule on this if it was forward/Backward?

As the ball is snapped from inside B-7, H and L move immediately towards the goal line after the snap (EFAF mechanics, but I think CCA has the same). So neither official is at the LOS where they might have a better (not good, just better) angle for this.

If this play happens at the B-30, L would be in a good position to rule on a forward/backward pass, as he might even take a step towards the offensive backfield.

[bmtjim]

I have to agree that the pass is not forward.  If replay is used in this conference, they would be able to definitively rule on this using the same views the rest of us are seeing.

[Magician]

Looked legal to me.  The announcers drive me nuts though.  So much incorrect information in this short video.

[GameWillTravel]

It was close. I turn off the sound so I dont have to listen to the talking Monkeys.

[Reverend30]

Question about this since I am not in-tuned to the 7 man mechanic. Wouldnt the S have the receiver on L's side, L would have the back going out? Why wouldnt L be able to rule on this if it was forward/Backward?

L went to the goal line at the snap, taking away his angle for FW/BW pass

[El Macman]

L went to the goal line at the snap, taking away his angle for FW/BW pass

Yes, he did. If that's a criticism, it is totally unfair, because that is the prescribed mechanic for this situation. Granted, mechanics are "guidelines" and adjustments can (and should) be made when warranted, but this was not even a "rare" occurrence - this was in the "once in a lifetime" category. The L that could recognize this pass developing and move back to rule on the pass effectively, AND then beat the ball carreir to the goal line would be beyond all-universe. Especially considering the receiver was no one's receiver key. Thankfully, the play was ruled correctly.

 

[txmustang68]

I say we count the announcer mistakes.
1.  Lateral pass
2.  Tackle eligible
3.  If any part of the player touches any part of the pylon, it is a touchdown.

Did I miss any?

[Reverend30]

Yes, he did. If that's a criticism, it is totally unfair, because that is the prescribed mechanic for this situation. Granted, mechanics are "guidelines" and adjustments can (and should) be made when warranted, but this was not even a "rare" occurrence - this was in the "once in a lifetime" category. The L that could recognize this pass developing and move back to rule on the pass effectively, AND then beat the ball carreir to the goal line would be beyond all-universe. Especially considering the receiver was no one's receiver key. Thankfully, the play was ruled correctly.

Absoultely not a criticism - just explaining why the L wouldn't have a clear view of forward/backward.  One of those rare situations where following the mechanics can take you out of a play.  When in question, the pass is forward, so the on-field ruling is good, and then supported by replay.

[El Macman]

Absoultely not a criticism - just explaining why the L wouldn't have a clear view of forward/backward.  One of those rare situations where following the mechanics can take you out of a play.  When in question, the pass is forward, so the on-field ruling is good, and then supported by replay.

Amen, Rev.