2012 Season Week 10 Clips
TECHNICAL NOTE: For those not aware, when viewing these videos in the You Tube window, you can adjust the resolution for a sharper view. Notice in the lower right hand corner of the video player window a setting icon that looks like a gear. Click on that and you can adjust the setting up to 360p, 480p or even 720p in some cases. This will give you a sharper image.
Poll Results:
Week 9's poll featured a play which involved a fair catch signal (valid or invalid?) and some contact afterwards by Team B on the signaler. In one of the closest polls to date (similar to our own presidential election), our viewers were torn. 50% of the 148 who answered judged the signal to be valid and 50% judged it to be invalid. However, 75% of the group judged no foul for the contact by Team B while 25% said foul. The only written responses submitted seemed to be from those who judged the signal to be invalid. The other 50% chose not to explain why they judged the signal valid.
Instant Replay and TD or Touchback ? Officials have been taught for many years that they do not rule a play over until they "see leather" and there is a reason why the ball would be declared dead. In this play, the QB dove for the goal line with the ball in one hand, but clearly "in possession". He subsequently lost control of the ball and the question is when did he lose possession? If it was after the tip of the ball broke the plane (the front part of the white stripe), then a TD should be ruled (8-2-1-a). If it was before the tip penetrated the front of the line, then it would be a fumble, and since B recovered the ball while downed in their own end zone, a touchback would be ruled (8-6-1-a). In this play, the instant replay process was invoked. If there is no indisputable (conclusive) evidence to reverse the on-field, the R announces (as he did here): “After further review, the ruling on the field stands.” This does not mean the call on the field was correct, only that the replay official believed he had nothing conclusive to change that ruling. The "clipper" has no definitive information but believes neither the L nor the H could see the ball as it neared the goal line. The video shows players between each of them and the ball. They also likely did not see the ball when it became loose. They DID see the loose ball taken into a possession by a Team B player on the ground and ruled touchback. Our available video does not show if either official dropped a bean bag which would mean they did actually see the ball come loose. Please view the video and then take the poll that follows.
Illegally Blocking Below the Waist Towards the Team A Goal Line One of this year's blocking below the waist rule changes prohibits Team A from blocking below the waist back towards their own goal line when they are beyond the line of scrimmage (9-1-6-a-1). In this video there is a low block that appears to be back towards the Team A goal line. However, the line of scrimmage was the B28 and the block was at the B-29 (BEHIND the line of scrimmage), so no foul. Had the block been just a few more yards downfield, there would have been a foul.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct The player flagged in this play for unsportsmanlike conduct had been warned earlier in the game about doing this precise act. When he did it again, he was flagged. He pantomimed holstering sidearms while looking at the opponent's fans. The opponent is well known for their traditional use of the "Guns Up" sign as they greet one another and as a victory sign at their athletic events. The fouling player was clearly taunting with his action and earned the well-deserved flag.
Legality of Motion The sophisticated offenses of today's game employ more and more players in motion in an attempt to gain a competitive advantage of some kind. There are a variety of rules intended to ensure this motion does not put the defense at an unfair disadvantage. 7-1-4-b allows one player to be in motion at the snap providing that: 1 - He is a back who is not moving toward his opponent’s goal line, and 2 - He may not start from the line of scrimmage. In the 1st video, the player in motion starts from the line of scrimmage and is properly flagged. In the 2d video, viewers can decide for themselves if the motion man is moving towards his opponent's goal line at the snap.
Intentional Grounding and the QB's 2d Possession 7-3-2 prohibits the passer from throwing certain passes in certain situations. 7-3-2-h prohibits the passer from trying to conserve yardage by throwing the ball forward into an area where there is no eligible Team A receiver. There is an exception which says it is NOT a foul if the passer is or has been outside the tackle box and throws the ball so that it crosses or lands beyond the neutral zone or neutral zone extended. However, this applies only to the player who controls the snap or the resulting backward pass. Normally that player is the QB. If he were to hand the ball off to another player, that player would not be allowed to legally throw the ball away to conserve yardage, even if he is outside the tackle box and the pass lands beyond or crosses the neutral zone. But what if that player then gets the ball back to the original QB, can the QB then legally throw the ball away to conserve yardage? The technical wording of the rule says yes. It is not clear if the intent of the rule would also say yes. In this specific video, the QB fails to get the ball across the neutral zone so is flagged for grounding, but what if the ball had crossed the neutral zone?
Delay of Game and "Zap 10" 3-4-4 provides for 10 seconds to be subtracted from the game clock in certain situations as part of the penalty for some fouls. This rule was implemented to prevent a team from gaining an advantage by committing certain fouls inside the last minute of a half. Any foul that prevents the snap (when the game clock is running) qualifies for the "Zap 10". In this play, it appears the crew did not initially consider the possibility of the 10 second runoff as part of the delay of game penalty. However, before the snap, one of the crew must have realized the "Zap 10" potential and went to the R who then went to the Team B coach. Team B could have declined the 10 second runoff and forced Team A to snap the ball. With only 3 seconds left in the half, it is likely Team A would have done something to prevent Team B from having much of a chance to score. Team B's coach realized there was not much to be gained and elected the 10 second runoff. As there were only 3 seconds left in the half, the half was ended. Had this been the end of the 2d half it is likely Team B would not have chosen the 10 second runoff and would have forced a snap on the outside chance they could get the ball and score on the play.