Pete Carroll: Refs will use specific signal to indicate ineligible receivers
Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has said that referees in the Super Bowl will use a specific signal to indicate when eligible receivers are ineligible, according to Bob Condotta of TheSeattle Times.
Carroll originally said that the signal would be new, however, according to Dean Blandino, the NFL's vice president for officiating, the signal has already been used in the AFC Championship
During a press conference on Thursday, Carroll described at length and in detail how the Seahawks had been preparing for New England's use of eligible and ineligible receivers. According to the coach, when an eligible number is being used as an ineligible receiver, referees will point at the player in question and make a missed field goal signal.
• Super Bowl XLIX Coverage Hub: Pats vs. Seahawks
Carroll's preparations come after New England has altered the lineup of its five receivers throughout the playoffs.
The shuffling of eligible and ineligible receivers attracted attention during the divisional against the Baltimore Ravens, after which Baltimore coach John Harbaugh called the tactics "deceptive" and criticized the referees for not properly informing the Ravens about the moves.
Against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship, the Patriots again changed the lineup of their eligible receivers, often inserting an extra lineman to bolster the running game.
• KLEMKO: Richard Sherman and 'Legion of Boom' appear on cover of SI
During this year's postseason, the Patriots have led all teams with 409.5 yards per game. The Seahawks have allowed 334 yards per game so far in the playoffs, just behind New England's 318.5 yards allowed per postseason game.
- Christopher Woody
