Pass Interference question (1 Viewer)

[GSaint]

On the pass to Moore around the 1 or 2 yrd line when the Falcon defender didn't turn around and just threw a hand up.... I thought that was PI if the defender didn't turn and look back for the ball?

 

[Shibby]

Faceguarding is legal in the NFL.

 

[geauxboy]

Besides that, he never really touched Moore. He got all ball from what I saw.

 

[GSaint]

ok thanks

 

[Saint Droopy]

Yeah had he made ANY contact BEFORE the ball got there it would have been a flag, but since there was no contact it was legal. had Moore come back for the ball and drew contact it would have been a PI call.

 

[GSaint]

ok thanks guys, that cleared that up for me... it was the no contact and not looking back.

 

[sPazmatic]

just went back and looked at the play for you...... the ball actually hit the defender in the back..... plus no contact....... drew was just short on the pass....... simple as that

 

[jayd265]

i could have sworn i seen the defensive backs left hand push on moore? anyone have a clip?

 

[saints15]

Bottom line - Moore has to come back hard for that ball and create the interference!

 

[bergeaux]

Bottom line - Moore has to come back hard for that ball and create the interference!

This.

I thought the defender had run into Lance, but it's very slight if at all. At full speed, it's a judgment call that is tough to make.

If Lance had come back for the ball more it would have been DPI and first down at the 1.

 

[NPs6724]

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.

 

[seagull]

Lance was so open and streaking down the field, that he could not put on the brakes and get back for the ball, but most of the time that PI is called even when there is no contact, just because the DB did not look back. Have seen that called on the Saints many times through the years.

 

[RazorSaint]

I thought it was PI.

 

[mid-city fan]

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.

 

[st_username]

Still don't buy it. Moore was trying to come back to the ball, but the DB was there in his face, NOT looking back.

May have been a good acting job by Lance, but I could see the contact in real time on TV, so a ref would need to make that call.

They made no call, so it is what it is, but we won anyway. Just a testament to our team to overcome adversity.