Q on Tom’s interception and pass interference

[Dr Pain]

Sorry if this is already out there. I just replayed the interception and it is very clear that the defender hit the receiver pretty hard before the ball hit them, bounced up and was intercepted. Is there no pass interference for passes behind the line of scrimmage?
Thanks.

 

[Pujo]

Sorry if this is already out there. I just replayed the interception and it is very clear that the defender hit the receiver pretty hard before the ball hit them, bounced up and was intercepted. Is there no pass interference for passes behind the line of scrimmage?
Thanks.

There is only if it's a forward pass.

 

[Dr Pain]

There is only if it's a forward pass.

It was a forward pass. I noted the spot where it was released and where it went

 

[scout]

If it's any consolation, he just gut cut.

 

[tobias funke]

The NFL states on its official site that "there can be no pass interference at or behind the line of scrimmage".

I figured this was common sense, considering you have 5 yards beyond the line to hit a receiver anyway.

 

[Dr Pain]

I figured this was common sense, considering you have 5 yards beyond the line to hit a receiver anyway.

That makes sense

 

[The Scrizz]

This was discussed at length in another thread, there is no PI behind the line of scrimmage, forward pass or not.

"Note 4: There can be no pass interference at or behind the line of scrimmage, but defensive actions such as tackling a receiver can still result in a 5-yard penalty for defensive holding, if accepted."

NFL Rules Digest: Pass Interference

 

[unoriginal]

I figured this was common sense, considering you have 5 yards beyond the line to hit a receiver anyway.

You are, however, not allowed to hit an intended receiver in that area if the ball is in the air, as Benny Sapp did. That is still defensive pass interference.

The common sense approach is more along the lines of: if it is legal for offensive personnel to block defenders at or behind the line of scrimmage, even if the ball is in the air, it must be legal for defensive personnel to hit the offense at or behind the line of scrimmage, even if the ball is in the air.

Obviously that would exclude holds, which are subject to offensive and defensive holding calls.

 

[tobias funke]

You are, however, not allowed to hit an intended receiver in that area if the ball is in the air, as Benny Sapp did. That is still defensive pass interference.

That's not my understanding.

You're not allowed to tackle a receiver, because that's defensive holding, which can happen anywhere on the field.

Note 4: There can be no pass interference at or behind the line of scrimmage, but defensive actions such as tackling a receiver can still result in a 5-yard penalty for defensive holding, if accepted.

I just watched the play 5x and nothing Sapp did could be considered 'tackling'. In fact, Edelman was the one who tackled Sapp during the play.

 

[Ring 6]

I figured this was common sense, considering you have 5 yards beyond the line to hit a receiver anyway.

But you cannot hit within the 5 yard zone when the ball is in the air.
In this case the ball was thrown pretty much between the players and both made a play on it, which wouldn't cause pass interference.

 

[Ring 6]

That's not my understanding.

If you could hit the receiver while the ball was in the air within the 5 yard chuck zone everyone would just knock down receivers trying to catch short passes.

 

[The Scrizz]

If you could hit the receiver while the ball was in the air within the 5 yard chuck zone everyone would just knock down receivers trying to catch short passes.

The 5 yard zone is beyond the line of scrimmage. There is a clear differentiation in what you can do behind the line of scrimmage and beyond the line of scrimmage.

You aren't allowed to hold, you are allowed to drill a guy. Until they are past the line of scrimmage they are just another would-be blocker.

Edit - And I'm not disagreeing with you, just trying to clarify the difference.

 

[tobias funke]

If you could hit the receiver while the ball was in the air within the 5 yard chuck zone everyone would just knock down receivers trying to catch short passes.

Forget my 'common sense' remark, it was a poor choice of words. Technically pass interference can be called within 5 yards, but you almost never see it, because most refs wont throw a flag for it on a quick pass if a defender is already in the process of jamming. Holding is more likely, which is a different discussion.

As far as this play is concerned, I can't see any way that it would be DPI, based on the rules posted by the NFL.

 

[Ring 6]

The 5 yard zone is beyond the line of scrimmage. There is a clear differentiation in what you can do behind the line of scrimmage and beyond the line of scrimmage.

You aren't allowed to hold, you are allowed to drill a guy. Until they are past the line of scrimmage they are just another would-be blocker.

Edit - And I'm not disagreeing with you, just trying to clarify the difference.

Right, but what I am talking about is for an example a WR running a drag all the way across the field 3 yards beyond the los. If the 5 was a 'no pi zone' the LB would just knock him down while the pass was in the air.

 

[tobias funke]

If the 5 was a 'no pi zone' the LB would just knock him down while the pass was in the air.

I don't completely understand the point of this scenario. What is the window of opportunity to tackle a WR running on the 3 yard line while the ball is in the air? 0.1s?

And if the LB manages to tackle the WR while the ball is in the air, the ref is probably going to call holding/illegal contact anyway, making it a 5 yard walkoff instead of a 3 yard spot foul.

 

[Ring 6]

I don't completely understand the point of this scenario. What is the window of opportunity to tackle a WR running on the 3 yard line while the ball is in the air? 0.1s?

And if the LB manages to tackle the WR while the ball is in the air, the ref is probably going to call holding/illegal contact anyway, making it a 5 yard walkoff instead of a 3 yard spot foul.

There is no lllegal contact within 5 yards, and you have to hold to be called for holding.
What I described is pass interference. Why are you having such a hard time accepting what the rule is.
Pass interference, illegal contact, and defensive holding are 3 different fouls, you can't use them interchangeably because their is a receiver involved.

 

[Tom + Bill]

the refs hate the pats is a known fact.

 

[tobias funke]

What I described is pass interference.

Look, I'm not arguing with you. You're absolutely right about what is and what isn't pass interference.

The only reason this came up is because my 'common sense' comment, and I was explaining why I said it, because you rarely see pass interference called on a play that happens within the first 5 yards, because more contact is obviously allowed, and the ball is in the air for such a short period of time relative to a longer pass.

Technically you're absolutely right: in your hypothetical situation, DPI would be the call. I'm simply wondering when the last time you saw a 3 yard penalty was.

 

[The Scrizz]

Right, but what I am talking about is for an example a WR running a drag all the way across the field 3 yards beyond the los. If the 5 was a 'no pi zone' the LB would just knock him down while the pass was in the air.

I know, I was agreeing with you and trying to further your example by differentiating the situation of why the no-chuck zone has no 'common-sense' association with behind the LOS as the other poster mentioned.

I am however a fan of LB's drilling anybody they can behind the LOS, it was a major factor in our first SB win and doesn't get done enough. I was calling for a consistent decking of Bush on every play before the game.

That's why Sapp's play was so good and why I'm pissed he got cut while trash like Nolan Carroll has a roster spot. I don't care if he plays special teams! Butler looks like Revis compared to that guy.

 

[The Scrizz]

Look, I'm not arguing with you. You're absolutely right about what is and what isn't pass interference.

The only reason this came up is because my 'common sense' comment, and I was explaining why I said it, because you rarely see pass interference called on a play that happens within the first 5 yards, because more contact is obviously allowed, and the ball is in the air for such a short period of time relative to a longer pass.

Technically you're absolutely right: in your hypothetical situation, DPI would be the call. I'm simply wondering when the last time you saw a 3 yard penalty was.

That actually makes more sense now that you have elucidated your original statement.

Bring da noise, Bring da Tobias Funke!