What Derek Carr said to Chris Jones about terrible roughing the passer call
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones' roughing the passer penalty against Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr on Monday Night Football was easily one of the worst flags that's been thrown this season. Here's the play in case you somehow missed it: After the game, Jones said he spoke with Carr, a friend of […]
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones' roughing the passer penalty against Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr on Monday Night Football was easily one of the worst flags that's been thrown this season.
Here's the play in case you somehow missed it:
After the game, Jones said he spoke with Carr, a friend of his, about the hit.
And according to Jones, Carr told him he doesn't know how it got called.
That reaction alone from Carr should tell the NFL that they have a problem.
The explanation for the call was that Jones' entire body weight fell on Carr.
And according to the rule, that's a penalty.
But come on, anyone watching the game could tell that wasn't Jones' intent. If he tries to tackle Carr in any other manner he doesn't make a play (the irony being of course that the play he made was wiped out by the penalty).
The NFL has these rules in place to protect the quarterback. They want the quarterback protected because they know folks aren't tuning in for a game featuring two backup quarterbacks.
What the NFL doesn't seem to understand, however, is the fans' growing frustration with watching a player on their favorite team make a play that was legal for over 50 years and now it's a penalty. That's just as likely to make folks tune out.
I understand protecting the quarterback, but a little common sense wouldn't hurt. Jones' hit on Carr was far from roughing the passer. I know it, you know it, and Carr knows it.
The NFL, though, is apparently clueless.
Featured image via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
