It’s not easy for NFL receivers to get open against NFL-caliber defensive backs. One common strategy is to create traffic among the pass catchers, with the goal of getting the defender caught in the scrum.
There are legal and illegal ways to accomplish the maneuver. In this week’s officiating video, NFL V.P. of officiating Dean Blandino devoted plenty of time to explain what is and isn’t permitted.
Using a play from last Sunday’s Patriots-Cowboys game, Blandino shows that the potential for a pick arises when the defense plays press coverage on a pair of receivers lined up to one side of the formation. When the receivers cross, an illegal pick (and thus offensive pass interference) occurs when one of the receivers, more than a yard down the field, seeks out a defender and makes contact in a manner that isn’t a collision but that is blocking.
In the example Blandino used, the Patriots ran a blatant pick, and the Patriots were penalized.
Blandino then showed a play from the Steelers-Chargers game, during which tight end Heath Miller -- engaged by a defender who gives Miller a jam at the line of scrimmage -- created an opportunity for another receiver to slip behind Miller, with the other receiver’s defender essentially screened by Miller and the defender who had engaged Miller.
Blandino also explained the officiating mechanics that apply when there’s a potential pick, with the side judge and field judge responsible for watching the widest receiver in the formation on either side of the line and the back judge/head linesman having the interior receivers on either side. When the receivers cross, an illegal pick should trigger two flags because four eyes should be watching the intersection.
Of course, that doesn’t always happen. Last Thursday night, Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton managed to take out a pair of Texans defenders, allowing Andre Johnson to slide behind him for a two-yard touchdown.
Tonight, with the Patriots and Colts both playing each other, everyone should be watching for potential picks, from both offenses.
