After more info has come out, it WAS illegal. Browns had 12 men on the field and, by rule, the other team has to allow the defense to get the men off the field. They didn't. The Bengals quick snapped it and caught the Browns off guard. Gradkowski said after the game "I was looking around the field hoping there were no flags." The Bengals got away with one here.Al Bundy;892390 wrote:Even if it is illegal, you still have to be ready. I still view it is a mental mistake.
All this being said, if the Browns TCB on their missed chances it wouldn't have come down to a fluke play.