Rule question (1 Viewer)

[billrob]

I swear I remember the NFL creating a rule that if a coach threw his challenge flag on a play that wasn't reviewable then the team would be assessed a delay of game penalty. I've never seen this called...anybody else?

My question actually goes back to the GB/Dal game yesterday. I forget the exact details as it was late in the day and my memory is a bit foggy from 'celebrating' a big fantasy day. GB threw their challenge flag but didn't have any challenges left! The ref went over to the hood and it looked like another ref told him they couldn't challenge and they had a laugh about it.

How is this not a penalty? How can we sit at home and know these things but the pro coaches still can't understand what's reviewable and whats not, or count to 2?

 

[tomarken]

I swear I remember the NFL creating a rule that if a coach threw his challenge flag on a play that wasn't reviewable then the team would be assessed a delay of game penalty. I've never seen this called...anybody else?My question actually goes back to the GB/Dal game yesterday. I forget the exact details as it was late in the day and my memory is a bit foggy from 'celebrating' a big fantasy day. GB threw their challenge flag but didn't have any challenges left! The ref went over to the hood and it looked like another ref told him they couldn't challenge and they had a laugh about it.How is this not a penalty? How can we sit at home and know these things but the pro coaches still can't understand what's reviewable and whats not, or count to 2?

I said the same thing when it happened. I could have sworn this was a delay of game penalty. And if it isn't now, it certainly should be. Otherwise any time a coach wants a de facto time out he can just throw the red challenge flag on the field.ETA: Just re-read the OP more closely. It's not that it was an unreviewable play, it's that Green Bay had already used all of their challenges. I think it's ok (though it could be problematic) for a coach to challenge a play - it's not his job to determine if it's unreviewable, that's up to the refs. But if you're already out of challenges, and you throw the red flag, you should be assessed a delay of game penalty.

 

[Phurfur]

After further review, the challenge system is bringing this game down. Once the red flag goes out it is a minimum of 5 minutes before we see another play from scrimmage. If I wanted to watch a game at this pace I would watch baseball. Get rid of it and let the game roll on.

 

[Manster]

After further review, the challenge system is bringing this game down. Once the red flag goes out it is a minimum of 5 minutes before we see another play from scrimmage. If I wanted to watch a game at this pace I would watch baseball. Get rid of it and let the game roll on.

agreed. i think its a good idea, bad execution.the whole unreviewable/unchallengable play thing has gotten annoying. i understand if a play is whistled dead, but it seems too complicated and plays are missed.coaches review ridiculous things, and waste time outs. the official review inside 2 minutes is dumb, imo. if it's a reviewable play, review it, and do it in a timely manner.

 

[GregR_2]

I swear I remember the NFL creating a rule that if a coach threw his challenge flag on a play that wasn't reviewable then the team would be assessed a delay of game penalty. I've never seen this called...anybody else?My question actually goes back to the GB/Dal game yesterday. I forget the exact details as it was late in the day and my memory is a bit foggy from 'celebrating' a big fantasy day. GB threw their challenge flag but didn't have any challenges left! The ref went over to the hood and it looked like another ref told him they couldn't challenge and they had a laugh about it.How is this not a penalty? How can we sit at home and know these things but the pro coaches still can't understand what's reviewable and whats not, or count to 2?

I don't know about a flag for a play that isn't in the list of what is reviewable. I don't see such a rule in the rulebook. Though if the problem was their challenges were exhausted, that would be a different situation and would be handled by this rule.Page 108 of the rule book (available in the pinned thread)

Coaches Challenge...Penalty: For initiating a challenge when all of a team's time outs have been exhausted or when all of its available challenges have been used: Loss of 15 yards.

So yes, if your description is accurate, it seems it should have been a 15 yard penalty.

 

[sho nuff]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/70203032.html

On third challenge: "I made a mistake." Was supposed to get a 15-yard penalty.

McCarthy agrees he should have been penalized.

 

[Manster]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/70203032.html

On third challenge: "I made a mistake." Was supposed to get a 15-yard penalty.

McCarthy agrees he should have been penalized.

OK, so thats the rule. so why was a penalty not enforced? how does that slip thru? thats insane!officiating an NFL game is tough, and i dont usually complain too much, but wow, that was a poorly officiated game, imo.