Zebra
Somewhere in, NJ
Male, 62
I've officiated football for over 30 years, now in my 26th on the college level. I've worked NCAA playoffs at the Division II and III level. In addition, I've coached at the scholastic level and have been an educator for over 35 years. I have no interest whatsoever in being an NFL official! Ever!
That's too broad a question - can you narrow it or clarify it?
It's a penalty for anyone to lead with their helmet. Why it's not called is a tough and good question. Almost every runner in an attempt to get more yardage "lowers shoulders" which, of course, lowers his head. It also is usually when they are about to get hit and they are slowing a bit. My sense is that most officials tend to see it as lowering the shoulders and not using the head as a weapon. It probably is more common to see defensive players attack the runner, creating a more forceful impact. But you're right - it should go both ways.
A couple of things. First, if the throw back to the QB is forward, then the QB can't throw it forward regardless of the situation. That would be a second forward pass and that is illegal. Second, the only person who has the right to throw the ball away legally is the person who controls the snap, the initial snap or backward pass. The QB no longer has the right to throw it away. So, yes.
You look at the result of the play, not the intent. It's the same as a fake; the result, if successful, is two points for the run/pass play.
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How do you go about getting your first clients?Unless I'm really screwing this up - always a possibility - it's a touchback. The status of the ball is that it is still a kick, even though it touched a receiver. In high school and college, a grounded kick in he endzone is a touchback. If it was receovered by the kickers in the field of play (between the goal lines), then it would be K's ball.
The NFL can't determine what a catch is; how can they get this right? I really don't know what they do in that case. I like Newton as a player, but he does get a bit over the top on a lot of the antics.
If a pass is caught behind the line of scrimmage, there can't be OPI. So a WR blocking ahead of that screen is legal.
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