Eagles vs Saints; false start called after offense got first down.?

Question

Eagles vs. Saints. Eagles had the ball, 4th down and 10, 1:56 left in the game. . Eagles snapped the ball; Garcia threw to Smith and got the first down. Ref below whistle, threw flag, and called False Start against the Eagles.

If it was False Start, the play should have been called dead before the ball was snapped. How can they call False Start after the play is completed?

Below is the play by play from CBS Sportsline.


4th Qtr - 1:56
An unbelievably bad break for the Eagles as a Garcia pass to Smith, for a gain that would have been good enough for a first down, is nullified by a false start on the Eagles. The Eagles will now punt and the Saints only need to get one first down and this game will be over.

Answer 1

I agree that it was a late call, and I was VERY upset that they didn't run a trick play instead of punting -- the truly had nothing to lose.

Answer 2

I believe that sometimes the Refs see a false start, possibly both offense and defense moved, it takes him an extra second or two to run it through his mind as to what just happened.....so he throws the flag late...usually though, you are right, the call should be blown dead.

Answer 3

I was really mad when they called that because the eagles could have won right there. And i see what you are saying, but i really don't know.

Answer 4

sometimes i think the refs have a party before the game and r still drunk...we may never know

Answer 5

are you stating a fact? or whining about the play not going your teams way?
OR are you just simple wondering what we all think?
my thoughts:this is really more common then you think.it does suck though.
sorry for the loss

Answer 6

same thing just happened in Pats-Bolts game

Answer 7

that game was bull....