ChiefsPlanet - Chiefs Xs and Os: The Denver Pick Plays

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Is it illegal? Let's review offensive pass interference from the NFL Rulebook:

There shall be no interference with a forward pass thrown from behind the line.

It is pass interference by either team when any player movement beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders the progress of an eligible player of such player’s opportunity to catch the ball. Offensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is snapped until the ball is touched. Defensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is thrown until the ball is touched.

Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:

(a) Blocking downfield by an offensive player prior to the ball being touched.

(b) Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off thus creating a separation in an attempt to catch a pass.

(c) Driving through a defender who has established a position on the field.
Actions that do not constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:
(a) Incidental contact by a receiver’s hands, arms, or body when both players are competing for the ball or neither player is looking for the ball.
(b) Inadvertent touching of feet when both players are playing the ball or neither player is playing the ball.
(c) Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the ball is clearly uncatchable by involved players.
Note 1: If there is any question whether player contact is incidental, the ruling should be no interference.
Note 2: Defensive players have as much right to the path of the ball as eligible offensive players.
Note 3: Pass interference for both teams ends when the pass is touched.
Note 4: There can be no pass interference at or behind the line of scrimmage, but defensive actions such as tackling a receiver can still result in a 5-yard penalty for defensive holding, if accepted.

Take special note of "Note 1" - "If there is any question whether player contact is incidental, the ruling should be no interference."

Also, note that the pick play is basically a legal play if the pass is behind the line of scrimmage. So, these two loopholes keep these picks from ever being called, even if the letter of the law is not followed by the offense.

Remember, this league wants offense and wants games with high levels of drama and excitement. Calling offensive pass interference is not that.

In fact, just to give you the up to date numbers, there have been 77 league games this season and we have seen just 22 offensive pass interference calls (83 defensive pass interference). Eric Decker has been called twice this season, but when nobody ever calls these plays, why not run them? They are nearly impossible to defend. Let's look at the 3 most obvious pick plays on Sunday.

http://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/nf...blockID=949223