Review Question

[WisconsinCard]

If the ref's spot the ball incorrectly, you can't challenge it? Because they clearly spotted the ball wrong on the Breston catch, and then moved the ball. But because it wasn't a first down we still lost the challenge and a time out.

So does this mean you can only challenge the spot of the ball for a first down?

 

[Team G]

Wiz challenged that the spot was wrong and it should be a first down. Upon review it was determined (incorrectly IMO) that the spot was short and when corrected, was still not enough to be a first down. Wiz lost the challenge and a timeout.

 

[CardLogic]

Wiz challenged that the spot was wrong and it should be a first down. Upon review it was determined (incorrectly IMO) that the spot was short and when corrected, was still not enough to be a first down. Wiz lost the challenge and a timeout.

That response doesn't answer the question...

Can you challenge the spot of the ball, not related to down? I think in Whisenhunt's case he challenged that it was a first down, and it wasn't. But could he have challenged the spot of the ball being wrong, which it was, without questioning the down and won the challenge?

For example: On third down and 10 the play goes for eight yards, but is spotted as a 6 yard gain. The head coach challenges the spot (not the down); the review correctly spots the ball as an eight yard gain, making it now fourth and two. Does the coach win the challenge?

 

[crisper57]

That response doesn't answer the question...

Can you challenge the spot of the ball, not related to down? I think in Whisenhunt's case he challenged that it was a first down, and it wasn't. But could he have challenged the spot of the ball being wrong, which it was, without questioning the down and won the challenge?

Whiz said in his presser that the official only gave him the choice of challenging the first down. He said it was explained to him well and that he knew he had to get a first down in order to win the challenge. He didn't know if he could challenge just the spot and will be seeking clarification with the league.

 

[Lloydian]

Your original guess is correct. While instant replay can result in a change in the spot of the ball, for timeout and success purposes, it must result in a reversal of first down status (there is also the case where a replay indicates a failure to achieve a first down). This differs from the down by contact challenge where placement of the ball is changed because the official did not note a player down by contact.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_replay#National_Football_League