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In the first few weeks of the season, the NFL has received plenty of scrutiny due to the officiating and the roughing the passer rule — the latter of the two which has been called an unusually high rate. Browns rusher, Myles Garrett, is none too pleased.
This has resulted in many players around the league voicing their concern over just how the roughing the passer penalties are called. Cleveland Browns second-year defensive end Myles Garrett is among the latest to weigh in, stating that he won't adjust his tackling technique to avoid getting a potential roughing the passer penalty.
By way of Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram:
#Browns Myles Garrett won't risk an injury to avoid roughing the passer penalty: I'm not willing to tear something to lay him on the ground like a child.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) September 27, 2018
There was a clear example of this going south for a defensive player last Sunday, with Miami Dolphins defensive end William Hayes tearing his ACL, as he attempted to move to the side while tackling Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. It was a difficult angle he took on the play, leading to him adjusting mid-tackle. At the end of it, it put his right leg at a bit of an awkward angle.
This is likely viewed as a cautionary tale for many other defensive players in the league. Even putting Myles Garrett aside, it's a judgment rule that will impact the mindset on each tackle of the quarterback. It has already caused Green Bay Packers star outside linebacker Clay Matthews, as he has been flagged for the infraction in each of the first three weeks while making tackles in three separate methods.
The NFL competition committee has already moved to discuss the matter. It has resulted in a video being released showing what kind of tackles will be flagged. Their driving point in the few chosen clips was the use of body weight on the quarterback when being taken to the ground, as the NFL wants them to shift some of that force from the quarterback. Meanwhile, the league has voiced there won't be a reduced emphasis on protecting the quarterback.
It is clearly a fluid situation that should see more reaction and feedback around the league in the coming days, especially through the games played in Week 4.
