August 27, 2008
Ask The Referee
Reader Q&A
Ask Jerry Markbreit
The former NFL referee answers reader questions each week during the season
When there is a fumble and officials are trying to determine possession, what exactly are they looking for? Does one person have to have sole possession? If offense and defense both have it, does it go to the offense like mutual possession of a pass does? If the official sees that a defensive player seems to have control over it in the first place, but then after everyone jumps in after the ball and an offensive player ends up with it after players are pulled away, who ends up with final possession? Thanks! --Hank Jones, Joliet, Ill.
When a fumble occurs and there is a pileup of players trying to
recover the loose ball, the rule of thumb for officials is survival of the fittest! The ball may change hands many times before the officials get to the bottom of the pile. Whoever has last possession in that pile gets the ball. However, if the officials hovering over the pile clearly see a recovery before digging to the bottom of the pile, they can award the ball
to the recovering team. Most of the time, however, it is survival of the fittest.
Who makes the final decision on a replay review -- the replay official or the referee? Is the referee allowed to consult other field officials when one of their call is being reviewed? --David Englund, Belvidere, Ill.
The replay process is as follows: If it is a coach's challenge,
the referee goes to the coach to find out what he is challenging. He then announces on the microphone what the coach has told him. The replay official is immediately reviewing the play in the replay booth. He decides which shots will be the best to show the referee when he arrives at the replay monitor. The referee then views the different angles presented to him by the replay official. The final decision lies with the referee. During the last two minutes of either half, the replay official initiates
the challenge, but the process is the same, with the referee making the final decision.
Jerry, during the Bears-Bucs game, Lovie Smith went for the field goal in overtime on third down. My friends and I were arguing that if there was a bad snap or attempt at a fake field goal on third down, would the kicking team be allowed to kick on
fourth down? If not, is there any situation where FG team is on the field for a play in which the team would keep the ball without getting a FG or a first down? --Alen Babakhani, Chicago
A third-down field goal that fails to cross the line of
scrimmage can be recovered by the kicking team. The next down would be fourth down for the kicking team. Once a field goal crosses the line of scrimmage, the kicking team loses possession, regardless of the down. However, if the kick that crosses the line is touched by a receiver, the kicking team could recover and the next down would be first down for the kicking team.
Jerry, if a defensive back were to commit pass interference on a downfield pass, but the pass was tipped by a defensive lineman on the way, then there would be no interference call, correct? If I understand this correctly, then can a coach challenge a pass
interference penalty in a case where a referee may have missed the tipping of the ball? --Ed, Arlington, Texas
Once a forward pass is touched by any eligible pass receiver, all
pass interference rules are off. Eligible pass receivers are all offensive backfield men and any player properly numbered who is positioned on the end of the line of scrimmage. There are five eligible offensive players on every pass play. The quarterback is not eligible when he is in the T-formation position. All defensive players are eligible receivers. Once the ball is tipped by a defender, it is fair game for all players to go
after the ball with no threat of interference.
A replay challenge can be made by either the coach or the
replay official during the last two minutes of either half in order to see whether or not the pass was tipped. If replay shows that it was tipped and a flag had been thrown for interference, the flag would be picked up and the referee would announce, "There is no foul for defensive pass interference because the ball was touched by a defensive player before the contact was made."
If a player steps out of bounds does he become ineligible to return to the field of play? --Glen Hazen, Cincinnati, Ohio
A player who steps out of bounds during play may return inbounds
and do anything common to the game, except touch the football. He cannot recover a fumble; he cannot touch a forward pass or down a kick, unless he has reestablished himself by getting both feet back in the field of play before he touches the ball.
It is my understanding that there are no referees in the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Please correct me if I am wrong. I think this is a MAJOR injustice. Referees have had a major positive impact on the level of competition that we enjoy today. My nominees would be such fine officials as Norm Schacter, Pat Hagarty, Jim Tunny, Johnny Grier, and, of course, Jerry
Markbreit. Do you think that referees should be in the Hall? --Steve Steckel, Las Vegas
You are correct. There are no officials in the Pro Football Hall
of Fame in Canton, Ohio. I would be very pleased to be inducted into that esteemed fraternity with such great officials as the ones you've mentioned. I would also add Tom Kelleher, Jerry Bergman, Fritz Graf, Jack Fette, Ed Marion, Stan Javie, and a few dozen more of the greatest officials who ever worked in the National Football League. Thank you very much for your question, as it is very close to my heart. The NFL officials are the only professional sports officials who are not in their respective sports Hall of Fame.
What are the current steps it takes for a football to become approved for game play? Does it get special markings? Do the respective quarterbacks get a say now in 2006? And do they get their own football each time they take over the offense? --John, Brooklyn, N.Y.
The current footballs used in the NFL are manufactured by Wilson and Company. Under current rules, each team gets to use their own balls when they are on offense. There is also a special
kicking ball, which is brought out onto the field during all kicks. Each team has their own kicking balls, as well.
What are the rules for retractable roof stadiums? Can a team leave the roof open to try to slow down a visiting opponent's offense if the weather is forecasted to be bad? --Paul Smith, Aquadilla, Puerto Rico
An hour and 30 minutes before each game played in a stadium
with a retractable roof, the home team announces whether or not the roof will be open or closed. A team could leave the roof open during inclement weather in order to slow down an opponent. However, there is a special ruling that allows the game referee to order the roof closed under extreme weather conditions. Once the roof is closed, either before the game or during the game, it cannot be opened.
Jerry, love your column, much respect for your years of NFL service. I lettered four years in varsity college football and appreciate great officiating. In your day, you were the best. As a kid watching you officiate, you added levity, looked friendly, but had commanding presence on the field. Really, I can't remember an announcer ever accusing you of a blown call (if you did, I'm sure they would have said so).
Please help me understand the ball spotting rules for defensive pass interference in today's rules. I played the game and I'm confused, even more so, when listening to arm-chair quarterbacks (that never played the game) attempt to explain. Please tell me where the ball is spotted, and penalty yardage if any, for each type of pass interference. Adding to the complexity, please include ruling in event of non-catchable versus catchable ball. --Bob, Barrington, Ill.
Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment. I loved my
43 years of football officiating, and it is nice to be remembered. I know that you cannot remember anyone criticizing my calls, but I have to tell you that I missed my share.
Under NFL rules, pass interference by the defense is a spot
foul and carries an automatic first down for the passing team. If the interference occurs in the end zone of the opponents, the ball is placed by rule on the one-yard line with first down and goal-to-go. If a penalty flag is thrown for interference and it is then decided by covering officials that the ball was uncatchable, the referee will announce "There is no foul for
defensive pass interference; the pass was uncatchable." This determination has to be made on the field with no involvement by replay. If the ball is catchable, then, of course, the interference penalty stands.
Can you extend your arms to push a quarterback out of bounds when he's running with the ball? --George Austin, Bronx, N.Y.
When the quarterback is running with the ball, he can be pushed
out of bounds or to the ground by a defender extending his arms. It is only a foul for roughing the passer when the extended arms push a quarterback to the ground after he has thrown a pass.
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