Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco seems to have mastered the art of drawing pass interference penalties on long throws. Including the playoffs, Flacco has drawn 15 defensive pass interference flags this season, the most of any quarterback in the NFL.
Of the 15 penalties, six have come on passes that were underthrown by Flacco, a total that includes a 32-yard pass interference penalty called on Steelers defensive back Antwon Blake last week in Baltimore's 30-17 wild-card win.
So how do you defend a perfectly underthrown ball without being called for pass interference?
A reporter asked that exact question to Bill Belichick this week and Belichick was more than happy to give a detailed explanation.
Q: Is a defensive back on the outside virtually helpless on an underthrown ball when a receiver stops short and starts running back? What’s he supposed to do?
Belichick: Turn and look for the ball.
Q: If you’re running top speed and stop.
Belichick: Well, the receiver you’re covering slows down, right?
Q: If he slows down.
Belchick: Why is he slowing down?
Q: For the ball.
Belichick: Turn and look for the ball.
Q: If you’re running stride for stride with someone right on them.
Belichick: When the guy slows down –
Q: What if there is no slow down?
Belichick: Then he’s not coming back for the ball. Then it’s a back-shoulder throw and you’re going to try to match his hands and put your hands where his hands are on the back shoulder. But if you’re chasing a guy and then all the sudden you catch up to him as he slows down, then why is he slowing down? That means the ball is about to be caught, that means you turn around and look for it. If you turn around and look for it and contact the receiver, then it’s not a foul. If you keep running into him and you contact the receiver, then it’s a foul.
Q: Even when the head turns, you’re still sometimes going to see that flag. It’s a difficult spot on those underthrown balls.
Belichick: It’s a technique thing. If you play the technique properly then you’re OK. If you don’t play it properly, then it’s going to be a foul. Back-shoulder throws, that ball comes in a lot tighter. The receiver, he doesn’t come back through the defender. He usually comes back behind the defender. The ball is behind him so the defender has to try to quickly turn and match where the receiver’s hands are and try to get his hand in there. Assuming he’s looking at the receiver, which is usually the case. It’s usually when the quarterback throws it. If you’re chasing a guy down the field and the guy slows down, why is he slowing down? You’re not that much faster than the other guy. Really, you have to see that space close and close quickly and then turn around and react to it.
It probably goes without saying that Belichick will not be a happy camper if any of his defensive backs are called for interference on Saturday.
Interference has been a big part of the Ravens' offense this season. According to ESPN.com, the 15 defensive pass interference penalties called against the Ravens opponents have led to 315-yards for Baltimore. The 15 penalties have also led to 56 points.