The new roughing the passer call has cost team’s players and games this season. We’ve seen players hurt themselves trying to beat physics so they won’t get penalized and we’ve seen game changers because of the 15-yard penalty.
The Philadelphia Eagles fell victim to the controversial call yesterday against the Minnesota Vikings when Michael Bennett hit Kirk Cousins and a flag was thrown. Per NBC Sports, the refs claimed Bennett hit Cousins low. This gave Vikings a first down and eventually a touchdown going up 17 to 3 right before half.
Fans were upset with the call and teammate Malcolm Jenkins, 2-time Pro Bowl safety, wanted answers on what defensive players can do.
Jenkins said, “I just think they sometimes lack common sense. I get it, we want to protect quarterbacks. I completely understand that; they’re lifeblood to our game.”
He’s right. The new rule is somewhat based off of the previous year when Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone when Vikings OL Anthony Barr landed on him with all his body weight.
“But it’s really hard to do a job and it’s having an effect on some games. But we have plenty of opportunities to win the game. That was just one play that was a little frustrating.”
So Jenkins asked the refs himself on what Bennett should have done and their only explanation was to avoid the hit.
Really?
“I guess we gotta adapt,” said Jenkins after the refs only answer was to not touch the quarterback.
What are defenses supposed to do? Let the quarterback have the time of the day to pass downfield after the secondary losses their man? Or let quarterbacks get their rushing yards up as much as their passing yards? I understand the NFL wants to see more passes but there are fans out there that want to see old school defense without serious injuries of course. This specifically is important because it is now American Football betting at 888 Sport USA and other spots are legal and penalities like these can affect the game outcome. Like Bennett said, he’s paid to hit quarterbacks. Even though the NFL won’t admit it, but these penalties are game changers even if it doesn’t occur in the 4th quarter. How can you tell a defensive player to change physics or what he was trained to do since Pop Warner? To change their whole style that’s made them one of the best in the league. Who wants to see Khalil Mack tap Tom Brady on the shoulder to avoid a penalty? No one.
There have been 38 roughing the passer calls as of week 4. After tonight’s game, we shall see it increase.
Flip to see the plays that occurred after Bennett’s roughing the passer call. I feel for you defensive players.
