What is the ruling for illegal contact or pass interference in the case of a flea flicker or similar play? For example, would a linebacker be called for illegal contact or defensive pass interference if, during the initial handoff that starts the play, he makes contact beyond five yards of the line of scrimmage with a receiver, who intends to catch a pass after the ball is tossed back to the quarterback? Considering the speed of today's NFL receivers, it is certainly likely that one could be well downfield as the running portion of the play develops, and the defender would have no way of knowing that the play was, in fact, designed as a pass and that he was interfering with a potential receiver. --Vin Lenza, Staten Island, N.Y.
The illegal contact rule is only in effect when it is obvious that the quarterback is going to pass the football. Whenever he hands off or pitches the ball to another back, this illegal contact rule is off because the play appears to be a running play. When it turns into a pass on your flea flicker, only the pass interference rules remain intact. Once the ball is airborne, the defensive team is restricted from any illegal contact with the intended receiver.