After completely botching a call in the Lions-Cowboys game, costing Detroit a win last Saturday night, the NFL is reminding teams about league rules for players reporting as eligible.
As reported earlier this week, the NFL is blaming the Lions -- not the refs -- after Brad Allen confused which player reported as eligible in a key two-point conversion play at the end of the Lions-Cowboys game. A flag was thrown, wiping out the game-winning points, even through Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker reported.
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The NFL alleges the Lions basically confused the refs with their amazing play design, and that’s the Lions fault. Okay then.
ProFootballTalk is now reporting that the NFL sent a memo, including video of the play in question, to teams on Tuesday. Here’s what the memo said, according to PFT:
“As a reminder to clubs and players, an offensive player numbered 50 through 79, or 90 through 99, is permitted to line up as an eligible pass receiver. To allow the defense an opportunity to match personnel to avoid deception, and to ensure fairness, the player must immediately report the change in his eligibility status to the referee, who will inform the defensive team and will make an announcement to the stadium before that play.
“It is the responsibility of the player to be sure that change in status is clearly communicated to the referee by both a physical signal with his hands, up and down in front of his chest, and to report to the referee his intention to report as an eligible receiver. . . .
“This process has been in place for many years, and is intended to provide proper notification to the defense when players are lined up in positions that their number would not allow.”
Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday that the team is moving on with “controlled fury.”
“I’ve got pure octane right now,” Campbell said. “I woke up. I’m ready, so we’re moving forward.”
“Until you guys asked me the questions, I’m over it,” Campbell said. “I don’t even want to deal with it. Rod’s handling all of it, man. He’s got it and I don’t even want to deal with it. I’m done. I’m good. I just want to go and I want to get ready for Minnesota and our players will be ready to roll.”
---> Related: NFL blames Lions for blown call on 2-point play vs. Cowboys, not the refs
---> Also: What ref said after botching call in Lions-Cowboys game