Blocked Punt Questions

[Creeper]

Washington blocked a Dallas punt yesterday, or at least deflected it when two defenders bull rushed the long snapper into the backfield. I didn't really see what happened there but the rule states that a long snapper cannot be contacted in the head or neck area while in a defenseless position.

First question: I will assume Washington attacked the long snapper only after he snapped the ball and raised his head to block which would make the play legal. But this seems like such an obvious strategy. Why don't more teams do exactly the same thing, double up on the long snapper who is usually not a real offensive linemen and simply bull rush him into the punter? It's the shortest route to the punter.

Second question: What if the long snapper snaps the ball and keeps his head down until the punter or kicker kicks the ball? That leaves him in the defenseless position and no one can hit him. Seems to me staying down an extra second benefits the punter/kicker.

I want to go back and look at the play again to see what happened there. I also want to look at the blocked FG in last weeks Bears-Packers game. The NFL called it a legal play but what I saw on video looked like the Packers made illegal contact with the long snapper. I reread the rules but the way the NFL calls these plays confuses me.

 

[Pompey-Cowboy]

Trying to understand the minutiae of the more complex rules and how different refs interpret them is a fruitless errand and a shortcut to lunacy.

 

[Reality]

First question ..

Teams do double up on the long snapper, but usually one of guards next to him helps or the linebacker steps in if they see a push up the middle regardless of who is getting pushed. From what I remember, the linebacker did not help block and instead took off down the field to cover.

Second question ..

Defenders only have to wait until the ball is snapped to engage the long snapper. Whether the long snapper lifts his head or not is not a factor. The only pre-snap rules are they cannot line directly in front of the long snapper nor can they jump over him after at any time.

*** Edited:

Found the video for the blocked punt .. it was Juanyeh Thomas who failed to help block the middle push.