Question about two penalties

[icanthearyou 4,403]

Since ESPN didn't cover these two plays, maybe someone can fill me in.

The pass interference call on Neiko.  ESPN did not return to the game until the ball was already in the air.

From what I saw, it was clearly offensive pass interference.  However, I didn't see the entire play. 

The other call was very late and came on OM's last drive.  A flag was thrown after a play out of bounds.  I assume it was a personal foul.  Who was it on?  What was it for?  ESPN never mentioned it at all.

Thanks for the help.  War Eagle!

[mrdude 3]

I believe the last one was a late hit out of bounds on eltoro. He drug him down a yard or two out of bounds.

[around4ever 4,136]

I believe the last one was a late hit out of bounds on eltoro. He drug him down a yard or two out of bounds.

But again, the initial contact was on the field.  That was a very late flag for a late hit.  I thought it may have been something post play.  Our great ESPN announcers never said what it was and they didn't broadcast the call from the Referee.  I thought the PI was legit.  This is the way I saw it.  Neiko was between the ball and the receiver and he slowed down causing the receiver to run into him.  He impeded the receivers route to the ball.      JMO. 

[79Aubie 0]

I believe the last one was a late hit out of bounds on eltoro. He drug him down a yard or two out of bounds.

But again, the initial contact was on the field.  That was a very late flag for a late hit.  I thought it may have been something post play.  Our great ESPN announcers never said what it was and they didn't broadcast the call from the Referee.  I thought the PI was legit.  This is the way I saw it.  Neiko was between the ball and the receiver and he slowed down causing the receiver to run into him.  He impeded the receivers route to the ball.      JMO.   

Personal foul was a ticky-tack call - Toro got there out of bounds and punched the ball out from the runner - barely any contact but technically correct.

I think you diagnosed the rationale the refs came up with for the PI call, but let me ask you this.  If the players were reversed (receiver in front and Thorpe flying up his back from behind) what would the call have been?  Yeah, defensive PI for Thorpe climbing through the receivers back - horrible call any way you look at it.  Thorpe can't get a break with officials.

[around4ever 4,136]

I believe the last one was a late hit out of bounds on eltoro. He drug him down a yard or two out of bounds.

But again, the initial contact was on the field.  That was a very late flag for a late hit.  I thought it may have been something post play.  Our great ESPN announcers never said what it was and they didn't broadcast the call from the Referee.  I thought the PI was legit.  This is the way I saw it.  Neiko was between the ball and the receiver and he slowed down causing the receiver to run into him.  He impeded the receivers route to the ball.      JMO.   

Personal foul was a ticky-tack call - Toro got there out of bounds and punched the ball out from the runner - barely any contact but technically correct.

I think you diagnosed the rationale the refs came up with for the PI call, but let me ask you this.  If the players were reversed (receiver in front and Thorpe flying up his back from behind) what would the call have been?  Yeah, defensive PI for Thorpe climbing through the receivers back - horrible call any way you look at it.  Thorpe can't get a break with officials.

You are correct, Defensive PI.  The receiver always has the first priority, right or wrong that is the way it is.

[79Aubie 0]

And here I was always thinking both players had an equal opportunity to go for the ball.  Was that a recent rule change or have I always been wrong in thinking that?

[Shift 350]

I believe the last one was a late hit out of bounds on eltoro. He drug him down a yard or two out of bounds.

But again, the initial contact was on the field.  That was a very late flag for a late hit.  I thought it may have been something post play.  Our great ESPN announcers never said what it was and they didn't broadcast the call from the Referee.  I thought the PI was legit.  This is the way I saw it.  Neiko was between the ball and the receiver and he slowed down causing the receiver to run into him.  He impeded the receivers route to the ball.      JMO.   

Personal foul was a ticky-tack call - Toro got there out of bounds and punched the ball out from the runner - barely any contact but technically correct.

I think you diagnosed the rationale the refs came up with for the PI call, but let me ask you this.  If the players were reversed (receiver in front and Thorpe flying up his back from behind) what would the call have been?  Yeah, defensive PI for Thorpe climbing through the receivers back - horrible call any way you look at it.  Thorpe can't get a break with officials.

You are correct, Defensive PI.  The receiver always has the first priority, right or wrong that is the way it is.

On that play, IIRC the ball was slightly over thrown and the last thing I remember seeing was Thorpe looking over his shoulder for the ball.  It looked like Thorpe realized the ball was over thrown and he was looking up to see if he had a chance to intercept it.  If he had caught it, it would have been a beautiful over the shoulder catch.  It's hard to say because the camera followed the ball (which landed about 5 yds away from the players) but either way, Thorpe was in the best positon to catch it (the receiver was behind him) so he has as much right as the receiver to make a play.

Yea the receiver always had the first priority but if the back sees the ball and is making a play on it, it shouldn't be PI.  I mean, what do they always tell us?  If the back does not turn to look for the ball, its PI right?  Well, Thorpe was CLEARLY looking for the ball so bad call IMO.