Ravens v. NE: NFL media too lazy to provide NFL rulebook excerpt today.

[Drama Queen]

A bunch of Sal Paloantonio's if you ask me.

Anyway, here is the key statement in the rule that addresses the illegal NE plays: "... provided that he (ineligible player) immediately reports the change in his eligibility status to the Referee, who will inform the defensive team."

From what I have read, the NE players didn't immediately report the change of their eligibility status, thus not allowing the Referee ample time to inform the Ravens. These illegal plays ultimately fall on the Refs to catch, but it looks poor on the NFL that Belicheat gets to succeed in his ways of deception.

The section of the rulebook:
Section 3 Changes in Position
REPORTING CHANGE OF POSITION
Article 1
An offensive player wearing the number of an ineligible pass receiver (50–79 and 90–99) is permitted to line up in the position of an eligible pass receiver (1–49 and 80–89), and an offensive player wearing the number of an eligible pass receiver is permitted to line up in the position of an ineligible pass receiver, provided that he immediately reports the
change in his eligibility status to the Referee, who will inform the defensive team.

He must participate in such eligible or ineligible position as long as he is continuously in the game, but prior to each play he must again report his status to the Referee, who will inform the defensive team. The game clock shall not be stopped, and the ball shall not be put in play until the Referee takes his normal position.

RETURNING TO ORIGINAL POSITION
Article 2
A player who has reported a change in his eligibility status to the Referee is permitted to return to a position indicated by the eligibility status of his number after:
(a) a team time out;
(b) the end of a quarter;
(c) the two-minute warning;
(d) a foul;
(e) a replay challenge;
(f) a touchdown;
(g) a completed kick from scrimmage;
(h) a change of possession; or
(i) if the player has been withdrawn for one legal snap. A player withdrawn for one legal snap may re-enter at a position indicated by the eligibility status of his number, unless he again reports to the Referee that he is assuming a position other than that designated by the eligibility status of his number.

Penalty: If a player fails to notify the Referee of a change in his status when required: Loss of five yards for illegal
substitution.

[Drama Queen]

Also, from reading other parts of the rule book

The Ravens should have been informed and allowed substitutions prior to these illegal plays being snapped, and if time was to run out before the substitutions, a penalty would be enforced against the offense.

[Ellsworth]

Fascinating stuff.
Are you dropping this knowledge while surfing the WWW & enjoying your Venti Iced Skinny Hazelnut Macchiato, Sugar-Free Syrup, Extra Shot, Light Ice, No Whip?

[Overbrook]

Is there a point to thus screed Queenie?

Pats use legal, trick plays. So?

The only bigger whiner than Harbaugh is his douchebag brother.

[Overbrook]

Only because, unlike you, he can't get......

Fascinating stuff.
Are you dropping this knowledge while surfing the WWW & enjoying your Venti Iced Skinny Hazelnut Macchiato, Sugar-Free Syrup, Extra Shot, Light Ice, No Whip?

Possum sperm.

[Drama Queen]

Well, it's not legal if the ineligible player doesn't immediately report his status to the refs. Like I said, ultimately the responsibility falls on the refs, but those substitutions weren't legal.

I guess its not as bad as spygate and Goodell destroying the tape evidence forever. Evidence that probably showed spying against the Eagles in a SB.

[Drama Queen]

So cute.

[bobbyuk]

Actually, when they showed the replay, he reported to the ref as soon as he got on the field and the ref reported it. But what happened is IMMEDIATELY after he reported in, they lined up ready to go.

[Drama Queen]

if that's the case, then the refs are suppose to give the Ravens an opportunity to substitute before the refs take their normal position before the snap from how i understand it.