ASK THE OFFICIAL

CLARIFICATION FROM THE REF

Earlier this week I responded to a question from Scott G. regarding the height of the TV screens in the new Stadium in Dallas by indicating that "there is no specific rule addressing the location of overhanging structures such as the TV screens at the new Dallas Stadium."

I would like to clarify that response by indicating that while there is no such restrictions in the "Official Playing Rules of the NFL," the document used by NFL officials to officiate the games, there is, however, apparently some NFL administrative rule that establishes 90 feet above the playing surface at the minimum height for such structures.

As this limit is not in the playing rules, I was unaware of its existence. I apologize for any confusion that this might have caused. In any event, a ball hitting such a structure is dead at that point and the down is replayed. There is some question regarding how game timing should be affected but for now (as of today), the time for the play counts even though the down is replayed.      

August 23, 2009

Given what happened in the Dallas-Titans game. is there a rule that prohibits a hanging structure in the field of play, and if so is there any minimum distance a structure must be hung? I know ESPN has a moveable camera that hangs in the field of play and was wondering how that might have affected the placement of the video screen in the Cowboys new stadium. Thank you. – Scott G.

There is no specific rule addressing the location of overhanging structures such as the TV screens at the new Dallas Stadium. The NFL reviews the design of any new stadium as well as any planned modifications to existing stadiums in an attempt to ensure that such structures will not interfere with the game. However, occasionally such things will happen (i.e., a few years ago a punt hit a speaker at the Rams stadium in St. Louis and I believe that the same thing happened in Minnesota), in which case the play is dead at that point and is replayed. It will be interesting to see if the NFL mandates that the screens in Dallas be raised but I would not hold my breath.    

Can you hand the ball off to a player in front (such as to a receiver on a jet sweep) and then that player throw a pass down field? – Darren H.

I am not sure that I fully understand your question as I do not know what a "jet sweep" is. However, Rule 8-4-2 states: "No player may hand the ball forward except to an eligible receiver who is behind the line of scrimmage." Also Approved Ruling 3.13 states that: "A handoff forward to an eligible pass receiver [may be] followed by a forward pass ... from behind the line of scrimmage." As a result, if I assume that the "player in front" that you mention is a legal receiver and that he is behind the line of scrimmage at the time that the ball is handed to him, he may then throw a forward pass as long as he remains behind the LOS. 

July 8, 2009
Here's a crazy one for you. Everyone remembers, in the fourth quarter of the Giants-Steelers game last October, the snap by emergency long-snapper James Harrison going way over the head of punter Mitch Berger. The ball rolled through and out of the end zone and the Giants were credited with a safety. In viewing that play in real-time the ball is way over Berger's head and is heading directly towards the camera that is suspended by wires over the field. What would have been the ruling if the ball had actually hit the camera or the wires attached to it? Would the play have been ruled dead with the Giants gaining possession at the point of contact? Or would the ball have been in play? Is this a situation that is covered by Rule 17, Section 1, Article 1 under "Emergencies?" Just wondering.  – Andy B.

My understanding is that the play would have been handled in the same manner as if a high punt had hit a speaker or any overhead projection in an indoor stadium, that is, the ball would have been declared dead and the play repeated. There is no way that the ball could have been awarded to the Giants as they at no time had gained possession before the ball was declared dead. If I learn anything different, I will advise your Editor.

June 27, 2009

Why reduce the roster to 75 on Sep 1 and then 5 days later reduce it to 53, why not do it all at once or in a more gradual manner?  -- Stephen U.

Not really under the heading of "Football Rules" however here is a little insight. Previously (until about 5 years ago, the reduction in rosters was gradual going from unlimited to 75 to 60 to 53 over the last 2-3 weeks of the pre-season.

However, as part of the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement, a maximum number of 80 players per team was put in pace. At the same time, the cut dates were delayed until the last week of the pre-season to 60 and then 53.

The slight delay, I am told, is that it allowed teams to pick up players cut by other teams and at least get a look at them (for 2-3 days) before making the final cuts. This apparently has been further changed to one massive cut due, in large part, to the coaches desire to have as many bodies for the last exhibition game.

If the cut was made to 60 before the final exhibition game, the coaches would be forced to use many players that would make the final roster in that game risking additional injuries.

This way, the Players Union gets additional contracts for 15 or so players for 1-2 additional weeks, the coaches get additional bodies to play the last exhibition game, and the fans get to watch a bunch of guys that will be driving trucks when the season opens at real season prices. Only the latter lose.    

June 5, 2009
The rules for a conversion try after a touchdown says there is 1 point for a kick, 2 points for a touchdown, and 1 point for a safety, can you explain the 1 point safety ? Thank you. — Paul M.

I must admit that after watching the NFL for almost 60 years, I have never seen a safety scored on a PAT. However, the only way that it could occur would be if the defense causes the ball to enter the end zone (i.e., provides the impetus) where it goes out of bounds.

As an example, on a PAT play, the ball is snapped to Feagles who mishandles the ball and it rolls along the ground where an Eagles player attempts to pick it up (Why? I have no idea!) and gives it new impetus that causes it to go across the LOS and into the end zone where it goes out of bounds.

Result: 1 point for the Giants for a "safety. Similarly, on a 2-point attempt, Jacobs fumbles the ball when hit during a dive play, the ball goes to the ground where an Eagles player attempts to pick it up and muffs the ball into the end zone (providing a new impetus).

The ball then goes out of bounds in the end zone (i.e., across the side or back line). Result: 1 point for the Giants for a Safety. After such a play, the Giants would still kick-off because of the touchdown that proceeded the PAT. The Safety does not result in the Eagles kicking off.    

May 28, 2009
Does a "missed" field goal have to cross the LOS in order for the defense to return the ball? I do understand the rules if the field goal is blocked but not sure if its just a miss. So in other words if the kicker shanked the ball straight up in the air in his own backfield and a defender caught the ball and advanced it for a score. – Zeric F.

A missed field goal may be advanced by the defense whether it crosses the line of scrimmage or not. This may occur whether the kick is blocked or if it is just shanked or topped by the kicker. In fact, a missed field goal that stays behind the line of scrimmage may be advanced by the kicking team as well. That includes running with the ball, passing it or kicking it again.

If the ball goes out of bounds or beyond the LOS and is untouched by the receiving team, it will be returned to the spot of the kick or the 20 if the spot was inside the 20. If the ball is touched by the receiving team beyond the LOS, it is in play and may be advanced or fallen on by the defense or recovered (but not advanced) by the kicking team.    

APRIL 4, 2009

After a completed pass, the receiver gains 10-20 yards, then while cutting back another WR gets called for a block in the back. Is this a 10 yard penalty from the spot of the foul, or is the 10 yards penalized from the previous spot (ie line of scrimmage)? – Shaun M.

Most fouls are penalized under what is known as the "3 and 1" principle under which a team gets the yardage that it gained before the penalty was committed (although there are numerous exceptions in the NFL). In the scenario that you posed, if the team gained 20 yards beyond the LOS  and the foul occurred beyond that point, it would be assessed from the end of the run.

 

If it occurred behind the end of the run, it would be assessed from the point of the foul.

 

If, on the other hand, the run ended behind the LOS and the foul occurred either behind or beyond the end of the run, it would be assessed from the previous spot. Gets a bit complicated.

 

This is why you see the officials huddle and discuss things before the Referee makes his announcement. They need to know: a) where did the run end, and b) where did the foul occur.  I hope this clears things up.