Should NFL consider allowing Defense to decline a False Start penalty?

[TonyS]

The Ravens might have won the game last night if New England doesn't false start on that 4th and 1 play. Seems unfair to me that a team can do something wrong, get stopped and then get a do-over. In this case the penalty definitely benefitted the Cheatriots.

Would it be unrealistic or have some other dire consequences if the NFL allowed teams to decline a false start penalty?

I realize that the play is called dead before the snap on a false start, and this would have to change as well, but what would the pros and cons be?

 

[Billy Bullocks]

False Start is before the play starts. You want to make a team lose 5 yards and a down?


What made me angrier was the time out Billick called, and hten that very questionable holding call in the end zone.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Actually, only the head coach is supposed to call time outs, and this one was done by Ryan.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Should NFL consider allowing Defense to decline a False Start penalty?

A better question: Should the NFL consider NOT calling games to make sure that the Partiots will win?

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[AMERICAS_FAN]

False Start is before the play starts. You want to make a team lose 5 yards and a down?


What made me angrier was the time out Billick called, and hten that very questionable holding call in the end zone.

What about the incomplete go-ahead TD catch that was ruled complete, even though the Pats player did not gain control until he stepped out of bounds? the holding call and this are right up there with the tuck rule. The NFL Officials have a motto: "Protect Brady at all costs!". The evidence is overwhelming!

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[theogt]

False Start is before the play starts.

So is an offsides.

It does seem unfair that offenses get free plays on offsides calls, but defenses don't get free plays on false starts.

They could easily just throw the flag but not blow the whistle, just like they do on offsides calls.

 

[CoCo]

I believe that "false start" used to be called something like illegal motion and was not always a foul that whistled play dead.

Recall the Cowboys-NYG game in the meadowlands when Danny White had his wrist broken in the first half. The 2nd half had numerous plays that went to completion only to assess Dallas 5 yards because Phil Pozderac would move before the snap in part because Leonard Marshall of the Giants would fake a move to get Pozderac to flinch.

I think that game, and Giants strategy was instrumental in getting the rule changed where DL could not fake those moves anymore.

I also suspect that play is stopped because an off-balance lineman could put the QB at risk and we all know the sensitivity to that in today's league.

 

[lurkercowboy]

In 1986, Dallas false-started in a game against the Commanders. Dexter Manley was moving around before the snap and cause the motion. The play resulted in a safety, but it was nullified by the penalty. The Skins were livid, but the rules are the rules.

 

[conner01]

a false start happens before the ball is snapped. off sides can't happen till the ball is snapped. the defense can jump off sides and go back as long as the olineman in front of him does move. thus false starts are pre snap penalties and off sides is not.

 

[peplaw06]

a false start happens before the ball is snapped. off sides can't happen till the ball is snapped. the defense can jump off sides and go back as long as the olineman in front of him does move. thus false starts are pre snap penalties and off sides is not.

Neutral zone infractions happen before the play starts... but the offense doesn't get a free play.

 

[bobtheflob]

Neutral zone infractions happen before the play starts... but the offense doesn't get a free play.

They usually only blow a play dead if the neutral zone infraction caused on offensive lineman to jump or gave the defensive player a free shot at the QB.

 

[joseephuss]

a false start happens before the ball is snapped. off sides can't happen till the ball is snapped. the defense can jump off sides and go back as long as the olineman in front of him does move. thus false starts are pre snap penalties and off sides is not.

Exactly right. The play never really happened because the refs were trying to stop the play. There was nothing wrong with the play plus the Ravens did have the option to decline the penalty. If they did it would have meant 4th and 1 for the Pats again.

The hold was an easy call. Bad play by the defender.

Let's assume that the ref comes back after the replay and says incomplete pass. That doesn't mean the Ravens win the game. That play occurred on 1st and goal form the 8 yard line. There were 44 seconds left on the clock. I like the Pats chances of scoring based on those facts. It gets worse for the Ravens. Big dummy Scott had two unsportsmanlike penalties on the Gaffney play before the ref ever went to the review booth. The ref could have over turned the play but still would have to assess both penalties. Then it would be 1st and goal from the 2 yard line and the Pats still had a timeout remaining. Does anyone truly believe the Pats would not score from that point?

 

[Hoov]

I didnt think that was a bad call on the TD pass, looked to me like it is a reach to say he jugled it, i have seen much worse get called a catch.

The wr made a good play.

But in line with the original post of the thread, I was also thinking the defense should be able to decline the false start penalty, but after reading Joseephuss post, it would end up a 4th and 1 again so why would you.

The thing is they usually blow a whistle before the play gets going on a false start, but in this case it seemed like the patriots ran the play and both theams went at it without a stop (prolly cause it was so loud no one hearda whistle) so it made it look like the ravens stopped them again but the refs were giving the Pats another chance.