Illegal formation penalty

[Robert Mason]

Would someone please explain to me the Illegal formation penalty called on the Packers late in the 3rd Quarter of the Vikings game.
Tackle on the end of the line ??


Thanks

 

[Half Empty]

Section 5 Position of Players at the Snap
Article 1: Offensive Team. The offensive team must be in compliance with the following at the snap:
(a) It must have seven or more players on its line (3-19-1); and
(b) Eligible receivers must be on both ends of the line, and all of the players on the line between them must be ineligible receivers.

 

[LarrysCrookedFinger]

I think the call was odd the way he phrased it. I believe would have been more appropriate to have said, "Illegal formation - tackle failed to report as an eligible receiver."

 

[Robert Mason]

I have seen other times when both tackles are uncovered, but no penalty is called.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I have seen other times when both tackles are uncovered, but no penalty is called.

An offensive lineman has to report as an eligible receiver in that case, which Josh Walker did repeatedly against the Vikings. It seems that on the play you're talking about someone forgot about it.

 

[TJV]

I don't remember the alignment on the play in question but what happens sometimes is a receiver split out wide doesn't line up close enough to the LOS, so there are only 6 on the LOS. (BTW, even in a proper alignment, OTs can look "uncovered" because there are WRs split wide on a play.)

 

[Robert Mason]

I don't remember the alignment on the play in question but what happens sometimes is a receiver split out wide doesn't line up close enough to the LOS, so there are only 6 on the LOS. (BTW, even in a proper alignment, OTs can look "uncovered" because there are WRs split wide on a play.)

Both tackles were covered, but a yard or so off the line.

 

[Poppa San]

The ends have to be on the LOS. The receivers a step or two back don't count as covering the tackles.

 

[Gonepackin]

Must have eligible receivers on each end

 

[Half Empty]

Time to close this?