Why is a lineman downfield a penalty?

[StoneCold]

I get holding and PI, but what harm does sending a linemen out to block cause?

 

[HawkinNY]

It’s another dumb rule the nfl creates to make it easier to change the momentum of a game. So many rules that are written to confuse or to leave it open to many interpretations.

 

[fenderbender123]

What's odd is how eager they were to call it. The first call was clearly not a penalty.

 

[Hawkpower]

What's odd is how eager they were to call it. The first call was clearly not a penalty.

Seems like the kind of penalty a ref might accidentally notice once or twice a season

3 times in the span of a quarter, for something inconsequential seems odd

 

[oldhawkfan]

I remember it used to be called ineligible receiver downfield.

 

[Simphawks]

Wonder if you’d have the same feelings if the Niners were flagged for the same penalty.

 

[sutz]

I remember it used to be called ineligible receiver downfield.

It still is. Lewis was going the wrong way, going downfield on a pass play.

 

[nanomoz]

To prevent a not screen from being a screen? I guess?

 

[Hawkpower]

Wonder if you’d have the same feelings if the Niners were flagged for the same penalty.

Why would we be less confused in that scenario?

 

[jamescasey1124]

I get holding and PI, but what harm does sending a linemen out to block cause?

On a pass play? It pretty much makes them another reciever. Not needed. On running plays..
you want lineman moving and getting down field.

 

[Heyseed]

Why did it happen in the playoffs?

 

[cymatica]

Wonder if you’d have the same feelings if the Niners were flagged for the same penalty.

Since the first one, which completely shifted the momentum, was not even a penalty, I wouldn't have noticed it

 

[hoxrox]

 

[Nunya]

What's odd is how eager they were to call it. The first call was clearly not a penalty.

Other than the fact the lineman was 4 yards downfield, you would be right

 

[Palmegranite]

Implying #68 is throwing the game?

 

[Frozenropers]

That call is only made during the season when a lineman is 5-8 yards Downfield and clearly past the 2 years limit. Those first two were marginal at best and the second the lineman was literally half a yard part the 2 yard limit when Geno’s arm was moving forward. Smh. Line judge had to be staring down the line looking. For that call.

 

[Crizilla]

It was the "ok time for the shift the momentum call". They let them play in the first half they called NOTHING.

 

[fenderbender123]

Other than the fact the lineman was 4 yards downfield, you would be right

Maybe my eyes are getting bad. I swear there was a flag when the lineman was only like 1.5 yards.

 

[cymatica]

That call is only made during the season when a lineman is 5-8 yards Downfield and clearly past the 2 years limit. Those first two were marginal at best and the second the lineman was literally half a yard part the 2 yard limit when Geno’s arm was moving forward. Smh. Line judge had to be staring down the line looking. For that call.

While SF was aloud to hold Metcalf on a throw that was inches from his hands ... Yeah no steering though, just a coincidence smh

 

[Nunya]

That call is only made during the season when a lineman is 5-8 yards Downfield and clearly past the 2 years limit. Those first two were marginal at best and the second the lineman was literally half a yard part the 2 yard limit when Geno’s arm was moving forward. Smh. Line judge had to be staring down the line looking. For that call.

IIRC, it is a 1 yard limit