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View Full Version : Two-minute drill loophole



Charlieguide
08-31-2006, 11:19 PM
OK, so I was watching the Browns-Bears preseason game Thursday night. (yawn) Just before the half, the Browns were making a last-second push to score. They completed a long pass, ran up to the line, and spiked the ball with 16 seconds left. That would usually make it 2nd and 10, but they were flagged for an illegal formation b/c someone didn't get set. Here's where it gets nuts.

The penalty was five yards and replay the down, so it was FIRST and fifteen. Now, normally, you'd rather avoid the five-yard loss, and normally in a two-minute drill, time is the issue, but think about it. That extra down could make all the difference in the right situation. That's a "penalty" that you'd think might be in a playbook or two, right next to "delay of game" and "give 'em the safety."

Anybody know if this is a penalty that can be declined? Has anyone seen that situation before?

Mitchy moo
08-31-2006, 11:22 PM
going back is usually bad, unless there are no timeouts near the end of a half. It's a trade-off accepted by those willing to do it.