What's with all the offensive PI calls?

[grampi]

Not only were there quite a few of these calls in the Skins/Crackboys (against the Skins, or course) game, I've been seeing at lot of them in other games too. I could see calling PI on the receivers if they were blocking a defender and then pushed him off to make a play on the ball, but I don't see how a receiver blocking, and only blocking is called for PI. To me, that's just blocking...receivers are not allowed to block?

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

Receivers are not allowed to move a defender who had position first. This is actually a call that should be made a lot more but the officiating has been inconsistent and generally terrible this season.

[DEHog]

NFL put an emphasis on it this year. I’m more concern that our TE coach teach Jordan Reed what a penalty is…he is the most penalized skill position player in the NFL.

[grampi]

Receivers are not allowed to move a defender who had position first. This is actually a call that should be made a lot more but the officiating has been inconsistent and generally terrible this season.

What if they're blocking them, but not moving them?

[mastdark81]

Not only were there quite a few of these calls in the Skins/Crackboys (against the Skins, or course) game, I've been seeing at lot of them in other games too. I could see calling PI on the receivers if they were blocking a defender and then pushed him off to make a play on the ball, but I don't see how a receiver blocking, and only blocking is called for PI. To me, that's just blocking...receivers are not allowed to block?

Whats sad is we do it on 5 yard dumpoffs and we end up losing 10 yard penalties. You better off taking the risk on a longer play since we are not well coached on it.

[Countertrey]

NFL put an emphasis on it this year. I’m more concern that our TE coach teach Jordan Reed what a penalty is…he is the most penalized skill position player in the NFL.

I am becoming concerned that it may be some residual from multiple concussions... among which is the inability to concentrate... poor concentration will certainly cause brain farts...

[DEHog]

Receivers are not allowed to move a defender who had position first. This is actually a call that should be made a lot more but the officiating has been inconsistent and generally terrible this season.

What if they're blocking them, but not moving them?

That's the issue, you can't block them while the QB still has the ball...hence the PI call.

[Countertrey]

Receivers are not allowed to move a defender who had position first. This is actually a call that should be made a lot more but the officiating has been inconsistent and generally terrible this season.

Though that call against Grant was total crap... he was desperately trying to get off of the db, who was holding him...

[PulpExposure]

Not only were there quite a few of these calls in the Skins/Crackboys (against the Skins, or course) game, I've been seeing at lot of them in other games too. I could see calling PI on the receivers if they were blocking a defender and then pushed him off to make a play on the ball, but I don't see how a receiver blocking, and only blocking is called for PI. To me, that's just blocking...receivers are not allowed to block?

Whats sad is we do it on 5 yard dumpoffs and we end up losing 10 yard penalties. You better off taking the risk on a longer play since we are not well coached on it.

That's the Jay Gruden offense though. Why throw for 10 when you can throw for 1 and hope the receiver breaks 20 tackles to gain 10!

NFL put an emphasis on it this year. I’m more concern that our TE coach teach Jordan Reed what a penalty is…he is the most penalized skill position player in the NFL.

I am becoming concerned that it may be some residual from multiple concussions... among which is the inability to concentrate... poor concentration will certainly cause brain farts...

Good thought, but I would also think he'd have a case of the dropsies if he has problems concentrating?

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

Receivers are not allowed to move a defender who had position first. This is actually a call that should be made a lot more but the officiating has been inconsistent and generally terrible this season.

Though that call against Grant was total crap... he was desperately trying to get off of the db, who was holding him...

It was, as was the crackback block call on Grant. Grant didn't even block anyone on that play.

[Countertrey]

Good thought, but I would also think he'd have a case of the dropsies if he has problems concentrating?

I imagine that's possible... but... kids that learn to catch early in their lives do it again... and again... most of "catching" is automatic, as the result of repetition becoming muscle memory... and that originates from different parts of the brain than the ability to think through an action. So, it would not be unusual to have no problem executing a repetitive muscle task, such as catching a ball, but make a poor decision on executing a block simply because you couldn't think quickly enough.

[Deadskins]

That's the issue, you can't block them while the QB still has the ball...hence the PI call.

Actually, if the QB still has the ball, then it's not PI. The ball has to be in the air for a PI call.

[Chris Luva Luva]

After listening to ey's analysis, he basically said it comes down to poor coaching. He's friends with this staff, so he didn't want to say it but he can't dance around the issue.

- He stated that Garcon did a poor acting job, it was def PI.
- Grant had NO reason to even attempt to block the defender, as he wasn't going to be able to make the play.


There were numerous instances where he stated this team lacks FOOTBALL IQ. So we've either drafted/acquired idiots (possible) or they're not being coached well. I believe it's the latter.

[DEHog]

That's the issue, you can't block them while the QB still has the ball...hence the PI call.

Actually, if the QB still has the ball, then it's not PI. The ball has to be in the air for a PI call.

It does? So if a player pushes off to gain a advantage then the QB throws him the ball that legal?

[Deadskins]

There were numerous instances where he stated this team lacks FOOTBALL IQ. So we've either drafted/acquired idiots (possible) or they're not being coached well. I believe it's the latter.

I agree, but I have seen a lot of evidence lately that players in general don't seem to have a great football IQ. McFadden going OOB when the Pies were trying to run the clock for example. And if you watched the Jets/Ginas game this weekend, when ODB kicked the ball, the look on his face when he was flagged was one of confusion. He definitely didn't know that rule. He also removed his helmet after an incompletion in the endzone, but wasn't flagged for it. They should make players take a class on the rules in training camp, just to avoid these types of stupid penalties during the season.

[Deadskins]

That's the issue, you can't block them while the QB still has the ball...hence the PI call.

Actually, if the QB still has the ball, then it's not PI. The ball has to be in the air for a PI call.

It does? So if a player pushes off to gain a advantage then the QB throws him the ball that legal?

Actually, I was wrong about that. From the NFL rulebook:

Defensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is thrown until the ball is touched. See Article 2 for prohibited acts while the ball is in the air.

Offensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is snapped until the ball is touched. See Article 2 for prohibited acts while the ball is in the air and Article 4 for prohibited acts prior to the pass.

But there are still different acts prohibited before and after the ball is in the air.
Prior to the pass:

Article 4. Other Prohibited Acts By the Offense

Blocking more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage by an offensive player prior to a pass being thrown is offensive pass interference. See 8-3-1 for exception for an ineligible offensive player.

Note: It is also pass interference by the offense to block a defender beyond the line while the pass is in the air, if the block occurs in the vicinity of the player to whom the pass is thrown. See 8-3-1-Note for exception for ineligible players.

[DEHog]

No, it's not legal, but it's illegal use of the hands if the ball hasn't been thrown yet.

I think that's where the confusion is because a lot of the PI penalties are being called for blocking before the ball is thrown. I think the NFL brought special attention to it because of the "pick play". I've seen it called both ways??? Wasn't Gruden complaing on the one, because he thought the ball was caught behind the LOS in which case the block would be legal?

A penalty called when an offensive player impedes a defender's ability to play pass defense. This can mean setting an illegal pick, where an offensive player intentionally gets in the way of another player's defender. Pass interference is also called when an offensive receiver shoves the defender away from him prior to making a play on the ball. The penalty is 10 yards from the previous line of scrimmage, and the down is replayed. Offensive pass interference cannot occur behind the line of scrimmage or after the ball has been touched following the throw. Offensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is snapped until the ball is touched.

[Deadskins]

No, it's not legal, but it's illegal use of the hands if the ball hasn't been thrown yet.

I think that's where the confusion is because a lot of the PI penalties are being called for blocking before the ball is thrown. I think the NFL brought special attention to it because of the "pick play". I've seen it called both ways??? Wasn't Gruden complaing on the one, because he thought the ball was caught behind the LOS in which case the block would be legal?

A penalty called when an offensive player impedes a defender's ability to play pass defense. This can mean setting an illegal pick, where an offensive player intentionally gets in the way of another player's defender. Pass interference is also called when an offensive receiver shoves the defender away from him prior to making a play on the ball. The penalty is 10 yards from the previous line of scrimmage, and the down is replayed. Offensive pass interference cannot occur behind the line of scrimmage or after the ball has been touched following the throw. Offensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is snapped until the ball is touched.

It depends on where the play is. If it is more than a yard past the LOS, then it is Offensive PI. But Gruden was correct; if it was behind the LOS, then it is legal.

[Chris Luva Luva]

There were numerous instances where he stated this team lacks FOOTBALL IQ. So we've either drafted/acquired idiots (possible) or they're not being coached well. I believe it's the latter.

I agree, but I have seen a lot of evidence lately that players in general don't seem to have a great football IQ. McFadden going OOB when the Pies were trying to run the clock for example.

I'd classify the Cowboys as a poorly coached team too. They just have a QB who, at times can overcome it.

[DEHog]

No, it's not legal, but it's illegal use of the hands if the ball hasn't been thrown yet.

I think that's where the confusion is because a lot of the PI penalties are being called for blocking before the ball is thrown. I think the NFL brought special attention to it because of the "pick play". I've seen it called both ways??? Wasn't Gruden complaing on the one, because he thought the ball was caught behind the LOS in which case the block would be legal?

A penalty called when an offensive player impedes a defender's ability to play pass defense. This can mean setting an illegal pick, where an offensive player intentionally gets in the way of another player's defender. Pass interference is also called when an offensive receiver shoves the defender away from him prior to making a play on the ball. The penalty is 10 yards from the previous line of scrimmage, and the down is replayed. Offensive pass interference cannot occur behind the line of scrimmage or after the ball has been touched following the throw. Offensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is snapped until the ball is touched.

It depends on where the play is. If it is more than a yard past the LOS, then it is Offensive PI. But Gruden was correct; if it was behind the LOS, then it is legal.

Correct, which is why he was complaining. I always have to educate my players (and parents) because they are so used to the NFL rules. For instance there is no “5 yard rule” in high school. I never assume anything so many of these kids think the NFL rules apply to them. I have found the “football IQ’s” of today players are very low, and those that have a good one can make up for their lack of ability by have a high football IQ!!