Pass Interference question
The defender's left arm/hand hit the ball. His right arm made contact BEFORE he tipped it though. It was essentially the same play as Porter's later in the game.
Not really. The two situations are similar, but different. The main difference is
when the contact occurred.
In the case of Lance Moore's pass, the contact and the ball arriving (hitting the defender in the back) happened simultaneously. Sure, in slow motion frame-by-frame analysis you might be able to prove that the contact happened a hair before the ball got there. But, in real time, it was simultaneous. In order to be a foul, the contact
and restriction has to happen before ANY player (defender or receiver) touches the ball. Also, keep in mind, the pass interference rules are specific on one point. If there is
any question whether a foul occurred or not, the official is instructed to
NOT call the foul. This is unlike other fouls, like roughing the passer, where officials are specifically instructed to lean in the direction of throwing the flag if there is any doubt.
In the case of the PI call on the Saints, the defender obviously strikes the receiver's arm BEFORE either player makes contact with the ball. The receiver is playing the ball and the defender is playing to receiver...not the ball. That is an obvious correct DPI call. It was also a smart move on the part of a defender who was beat but didn't want to give up an easy touchdown. Since Porter wasn't playing the ball, he had to time his swipe based on the reaction of the receiver. He guessed wrong by a small amount, but he still prevented the TD.