Should refs help prevent penalties?

[Mr. Scot]

Remember that pic from Zod when a ref spoke to KB in a game break on the bench. I like the idea of refs giving advice, especially in situations where penalties are rare. Like that play on ST. I am in favour of it, as long as it benefits all teams.

That's where it gets tricky.

In this instance, it benefitted the Pats way more than the Jets.

[neverlosethefeeling]

I'm fine with players asking. Not so thrilled with refs offering help.

Worried about injury because you see a guy lined up wrong? Blow the whistle and throw the flag before the play starts. They'll learn soon enough.

 

Except that's not the rule. It's not a penalty until the ball is snapped. You want to talk about integrity issues and action/inaction affecting the outcome of games? Then don't suggest that referees should be making calls outside of the rulebook.

[Mr. Scot]

Except that's not the rule. It's not a penalty until the ball is snapped. You want to talk about integrity issues and action/inaction affecting the outcome of games? Then don't suggest that referees should be making calls outside of the rulebook.

But then you're helping one team avoid a penalty that could affect the outcome of the game. And in doing so, you compromise the integrity of the game.

Are you okay with that?

[neverlosethefeeling]

But then you're helping one team avoid a penalty that could affect the outcome of the game. And in doing so, you compromise the integrity of the game.

Are you okay with that?

 

The rule clearly states "When Team A presents a punt, field-goal, or Try Kick formation, a Team B player, who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage, must have his entire body outside the snapper’s shoulder pads at the snap."

 

Was Hightower within one yard of the line of scrimmage at the snap? No--and he wouldn't have been even if the referee never moved him. A shift was built into that particular play call for New England.

 

Just before the snap, New England shifts its linemen towards the middle with two defensive tackles moving from the B gap down into the A gap, just outside of the snapper's shoulder pads as is legal per the league rule. Hightower is behind the guys lined up in the A gap. Kind of difficult to be within one yard of the line of scrimmage if you're behind a 6'2 330lb man.

 

And I'm absolutely okay with it to the extent that I can trust when Dean Blandino says it's a routine officiating mechanic. I also tend to agree with him that it's not much different than when the side judge points out the line of scrimmage to receivers. And that happens on nearly every play.

[MasterAwesome]

The question proposed, and really the entire premise of the OP is a bit silly and misinformed.  Like others have mentioned, this particular rule is in place for the safety of the long-snapper.  These types of violations should absolutely be avoided if possible, if there is a legitimate risk of player injury.  Sure, there's no guarantee the long-snapper would get injured in this case.  Where do you draw the line with that?  If a player suffers a concussion in the middle of a game, there's no guarantee he'll hurt himself any further by continuing to play.  Should players with concussions be allowed back into a game if it would potentially mean the difference between a win and a loss?

 

It's not about preventing penalties (like the OP is phrased).  It's about preventing injuries..simple as that.  It's not like refs are out there telling a team if they have 12 men on the field or giving the QB a little nudge when there's 5 seconds left on the playclock to avoid a delay of game.

[csx]

Anything that prevents stupid technicalities from determining the outcome of a game. Would you really want a team to be given another shot at kicking a field goal? If it wasnt the Patriots nobody would be complaining. If it lead to another team beating the Panthers the Huddle would explode.

[Ruff]

Basically, this thread reads, in a nutshell, as Mr. Scot whining because the Patriots won.

[Mr. Scot]

Basically, this thread reads, in a nutshell, as Mr. Scot whining because the Patriots won.

Far from it.

I'm asking a question and debating a topic as it pertains to all teams, not just New England.

It's not that complicated (or shouldn't be, anyway).

[Ruff]

Far from it.

I'm asking a question and debating a topic as it pertains to all teams, not just New England.

It's not that complicated (or shouldn't be, anyway).

And as everyone responds with, "yeah, it's fine. You don't understand the situation", you keep harping the same poo just to hear your head roar.

It's the way it is. Deal with it.

[Mr. Scot]

And as everyone responds with, "yeah, it's fine. You don't understand the situation", you keep harping the same poo just to hear your head roar.

It's the way it is. Deal with it.

It's called 'discussion', and I do it for fun. I'm not emotionally invested in the topic.

Not sure why that's a big deal for you to get, but whatever.

[SZ James (banned)]

Basically, this thread reads, in a nutshell, as Mr. Scot whining because the Patriots won.

.

[CatMan72]

I can't see how that's impartial?

[Mr. Scot]

I can't see how that's impartial?

That's the heart of the question.

If it can help one team or the other win, is it really impartial?

I could definitely see a team protesting this.

[csx]

"Helping players get lined up properly takes place in other pre-snap situations to avoid administrative penalties," Aiello said. "It’s a longstanding standard officiating mechanic."

Are all of those other situations unfair too? There would be a lot of standard procedures that seem to be accepted by the players and coaches that would need to be addressed.