Owners vote to ban Patriots’ ineligible receiver trick
NFL team owners voted to ban the ineligible receiver play the New England Patriots used in the AFC Divisional round against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Patriots lined up running back Shane Vereen as a slot receiver, but declared him as an ineligible receiver. On the same play, they threw a touchdown to tight end Michael Hoomanawanui.
The rule change, which was proposed by the Ravens, allows a player wearing an eligible offensive number (1-49, 80-89) to be declared ineligible, but requires that he line up within the tackle box.
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If the rule is broken, the offensive team will receive a five-yard penalty.
After the game, Ravens coach John Harbaugh criticized the Patriots for being "clearly deceptive" with their substitutions.
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- Paul Palladino
