Legit question, not sure how this works but the late third down and goal play made me think of it:
If someone other than the QB is throwing a pass, does the same rule apply regarding linemen being downfield? In other words, if Neal is throwing the pass there instead of Ballard, can the linemen go as far downfield as they want before he passes? Or do they still have to stay within the box near the LOS? I ask because I've seen other people suggesting that we should have just made it a run/pass option for Neal, and if the linemen downfield rule still applies from that range it might not be as simple as that because you'd be risking a penalty. If it doesn't apply, then that is an easy way around the rule, it seems to me.
If someone other than the QB is throwing a pass, does the same rule apply regarding linemen being downfield? In other words, if Neal is throwing the pass there instead of Ballard, can the linemen go as far downfield as they want before he passes? Or do they still have to stay within the box near the LOS? I ask because I've seen other people suggesting that we should have just made it a run/pass option for Neal, and if the linemen downfield rule still applies from that range it might not be as simple as that because you'd be risking a penalty. If it doesn't apply, then that is an easy way around the rule, it seems to me.
