Can RECs push forward & down a DB

[TecnoGenius]

It's been a couple of games now we've seen a REC push down our trailing DB.  Usually Bonds or Bridges.  In the other game that was the one where there was zero help and the REC walked in for the TD as our DB lay on the field looking goofy.  I can't remember if we challenged or not but it was auto-reviewed and deemed a good play.

Today there was basically an exact duplicate at 2Q9:37.  The only difference is this time after our DB was pushed down the REC whiffed on the sure-thing catch/TD.

What they're doing is playing kind of like a DB, keeping their trailing arm wrapped around the DB.  When the ball is coming in they use that arm to pull then push the DB with some extra forward momentum making them fall face-first to the turf.

The key here is they are not doing traditional OPI because there is no extended arm or push off.  They aren't trying to get the DB away, they are trying to pull the DB further in so they fall down.

However, it's getting very blatant, and it's really starting to irk me that this is allowed.  What it does is guarantee the deep route REC will be 100% wide open to YAV the whole field should they make the catch.

Is this a penalty?  Should this be a penalty?  If this is "allowed" then why aren't every single one of our RECs doing this on every deep shot where the DB is in their pocket?

P.S. The example we saw tonight got a great replay (first one) that shows what is going on.

[dd]

What you describe is OPI- you can't interfere with a players positioning and by pulling them they are , should get called but isn't. Expect more of this others will try it if they aren't going to call it

[TecnoGenius]

I would hope the league would take a closer look at these then.  We all remember the one the other week when the guy sauntered in for a TD.  When a DB is in the pocket of a REC then ends up face down on the turf and the REC makes a big play, there's often a reason for it during the route.

I think Alford might be a bit of a nasty cheater.  I saw him doing a lot of messing with DBs on many other attempts.  Most RECs are more concentrated on their route/ball, this guy seems to want to disrupt the DB in shady ways.