Mailbag "The Pass" Stanford Routt

In his 14th mailbag editorial, Anthony Carroll -- a senior writer for -- responds to fans' questions and comments submitted via RaidersLive.com.If you'd like to be in the next mailbag, scheduled for Dec. 15, please visit RaidersLive.com and fill out the quick form to submit your entries.Jim Lanpheer, 43, Denver, Colo.: No Steelers 6 Super Bowl Champions jersey
one had read the rules correctly on "the play" and I'm hoping you can add some sanity to the discussion. In my opinion, the NFL is CLEARLY wrong in this case; it doesn't appear they know their own rulebook. However, it's not for the reasons stated with regards to whether the "pass" was thrown forward or not. It is quite simple, really, by my reading of the rules. If Jackson's gaffe is ruled a "pass," he had ALREADY received a pass on the play (that's how he caught the ball). Two forward passes are not allowed on a single play. The penalty is five yards from the line of scrimmage and repeat the down. The Chargers should have retained the ball, but faced a fourth-and-7 at midfield, and they would have likely punted. I don't see anyone in the Raiders organization making this simple point. They are owed an apology and the referee should be disciplined for not enforcing the rules.AC: As logical as that all seems, the NFL rulebook isn't as commonsensical. It doesn't specifically state that two forward passes in one play results in a penalty assessed from the line of scrimmage.The NFL Digest of Rules states: "An offensive team may make only one forward pass during each play from scrimmage (Loss of 5 yards)." In this context, "Loss of 5 yards" does not specifically indicate that the flag would be enforced from the original line of scrimmage. Thus, when two forward passes occur, the five-yard penalty is assessed from the point of the second pass. In contrast, the next rule in the book reads: "A passer must be behind his line of scrimmage (Loss of down and five yards, enforced from the spot of pass)."Thus, the difference between the two statutes is that the second specifies a loss of down and enforcement from the original pass, while the first does not.The problem with the ruling on the field was not the interpretation of the penalty; it was the interpretation of wide receiver Vincent Jackson's actions. Referee Mike Carey -- who had originally signaled Oakland ball -- read far too closely between the lines. Carey had the freedom to interpret the young wideout's foolish blunder as a thoughtless fumble or a calculated forward pass.How he opted to rule the celebration as a pass is something unexplainable.Mykle Van Hausen, 38, Lewiston, Idaho: Great articles, A.C. -- always quality! Is Stanford Routt going to become a major contributor to the Raiders' "Infernal machine"?AC: In due time, yes, he will.Routt, for the second consecutive season, has seen limited playing time -- primarily for two reasons. One, the team is extremely deep at cornerback; and two, the defensive line is having trouble closing gaps in the run game.To start, Oakland is very deep with more-than-capable contributors in their secondary. Nnamdi Asomugha and Fabian Washington have, without a doubt, turned into the playmakers the Raiders expected to get when they drafted the pair in 2003 and 2005, respectively. Together, the duo has registered 56 tackles, eight interceptions and 12 pass deflections.Beyond the pair of starters, Routt, Duane Starks, Tyrone Poole and Chris Carr all fight for playing time. As of late, Carr has been creeping into the lineup more and more, while Poole has seen action in all but two games and has started two. Starks, on the other hand, has as many tackles as Sebastian Janikowski and Andrew Walter.More central than the amount of depth, however, is the performance of the men up front. The Steelers 36 Bettis Jersey
Raiders' defense has been run at more than any other in the NFL and allows 133.1 yards rushing per game. As a result, Rob Ryan is forced to stick with a basic, heavily-loaded 4-3 formation that tempts the offense to pass. Unfortunately, when they finally do pass, Routt is on the bench, while linebackers are in coverage.If, in the offseason, the problems up front are addressed, Routt will have a great opportunity to shine in both nickel and dime formations next season.Want to be in the next Raiders mailbag? Visit RaidersLive.com to submit your questions and comments for the Dec. 15 mailbag. (22)