this is totally unrelated and i don't mean to hijack, but why does it matter how many men you have on the line anyway? it seems like if a team has enough balls to have 1 O-Lineman and 9 receivers, then that should be their problem.
It is the first frame from this U-tube video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X12nvsVyaPM and this is the same photo without the lines. I was always taught that to be considered "on the line of scrimage", a player had to be between the back end of the ball and the back end of the center's butt ( a rule even some tackles break when they're anticipating a speed rush on a pass play). Seems he made it. The spot was shiity. Ya'll shoulda challenged, seriously.
My guess is that it is simply a formal way of telling the defense that the play is set. Can you imagine a play where the center walks to the ball and snaps it to the QB while the rest of the team looks like it is in a huddle?
I agree that it was bad and said as much while watching it. CTT's problem, not mine. If you think you are stopping LSU from getting the first down on 4th and 1... in Tiger Stadium... you are mistaken. Be my guest.
OK, I've looked at the static image originally posted with the added white line, plus watched the youtube video where that image was taken, and watched the original broadcast of the game in HD (haven't yet deleted the game! ), and here's my opinion, for whatever it's worth: The ball is on the 5-yard, 1-foot spot basically. The LSU linemen are all lined up (in their 3 or 4 point stance) between the 6 and 7 yard lines. Doucet's front foot is looks to be right on the 7-yard line, with his back foot on the 8-yard line. I do NOT know what the official rule is, but it does seem apparent to me that Doucet is about a yard further away from the line of scrimmage than the linemen.
Ball was on the 6, he was on the 7, looks kind of bad for the refs, but if he looked at doucet and told him he was on the line, they got no complaint. It was the refs judgement that he was on the line. It was the refs judgement last year that it wasn't at least defensive holding on them even though they tipped the ball and the infraction happened before the tipped ball. Until they allow refs to review penalties, which will never happen, then there will always be arguments. Oh well, I'm sure they will get some "home cookin" next year again.
