Fall Play, the Los Angeles Chargers game led to the dismissal of referee Clay Martin.

Fall Play, the Los Angeles Chargers game led to the dismissal of referee Clay Martin.

Fox cameras captured referee Clay Martin separating Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady and Philadelphia defensive end Derek Barnett after a turnover during Thursday night’s Buccaneers vs. Eagles game.

However, Brady still had the opportunity to try to position himself to make a tackle while the play was still alive. (Or, depending on the situation, to hurl a shoulder into a gullible opponent at the conclusion of the play.) Brady and Barnett were jostling each other, giving each other a mild case of “the business.” Early in the exchange, Brady threw an elbow at Barnett. Martin attempted to dismantle it prior to the whistle going off.

Furthermore, Barnett wasn’t attempting to take advantage of a clear shot at Brady. Brady started to move in the general direction of the action after Martin had separated the two men. Brady is open to being blocked if he continues to act in that way.

Even though a quarterback is deemed “defenseless” after a change of possession, hits can still occur, whether they are authorized or not. Furthermore, no clause in the rules permits a football referee to break up a scrum and send the fighters to their neutral corners during live action, just like a boxing referee would.

Nevertheless, PFT has been informed by several sources that it is typical for referees to move between players and away from the action. The term for it is “preventive officiating.” Preventing problems is the aim, whenever feasible.

It makes sense.superficially. But should things always proceed that way? Other than raising the whistle or tossing a flag, should the referee do anything else between the snap and the whistle? It was Barnett’s right to strike Brady unlawfully following the change in possession. Then, he might face a fine, a penalty, or even a suspension.

In any case, the officials ought to observe the play rather than mediate a settlement. If the break-it-up feature activates at all, it should do so only after a play has concluded.