Johnny Manziel catch on trick play was illegal ‘hideout’ play (Video)
The Cleveland Browns had a great idea for a trick play on Sunday that might have actually worked, if not for the fact that their play was illegal.
The Browns were trailing the Ravens 10-7 and had the ball at their 39. Johnny Manziel ran a read option play on first down. On second down, Brian Hoyer was sent in, but Manziel acted like he didn’t want to come out. He went towards the sidelines and continued to pretend to complain, but that was part of the trick.
As Manziel was facing the sidelines, he got a verbal cue from offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan after the snap to run up field. Hoyer completed a pass to Manziel for a big gain, but the Browns were flagged for illegal shift.
Former NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira said that the play was illegal anyway because it was a “hideout” play.
A Manziel mishap: @MikePereira on what the Browns did wrong during a penalized play.
Via: @KFC
https://t.co/53pbc1ufLa
— FOX Sports NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 21, 2014
According to Pereira, it is illegal to line up within five yards of the sidelines in front of your team’s bench area. The “bench area” is from the 32 to the 32. The referees missed this penalty.
If the Browns ever try to run this play again, Manziel will have to line up further away from the sidelines … and hope there is no illegal shift. Nice try, though.