re: Why did the clock keep running after our WR went OOB on final drive?

quote:

---

uote:
Also, if Etling didn't get the final snap off on time, shouldn't the play have been blown dead before the snap? If they allowed the ball to be snapped then he got it off on time.

---

quote:

---

Agreed and should not be a reviewable issue if play was allowed to happen

---

No.

Referees are told to let "iffy" plays continue because if they DID get the snap off in time, they want the play to continue. They can always review it.

Same for fumbles - the refs are taught to not blow a play dead and let the call on the field be a fumble if it's close, so that the teams fight for the recovery and then replay sorts out whether it was a fumble or not. If refs blow it dead, then even with review, it's difficult to award possession to the defense, unless the recovery was immediate by the defense, even after the whistle. Much cleaner to let the play go, and then let replay sort it out. It's actually a good thing that they do this.