After further review of Green Packers linebacker Clay Matthews' roughing-the-passer penalty from their Week 2 tie to the Minnesota Vikings, officials have decided that they made the right call.
The NFL plans on using the tape of Matthews to be an example for defensive players around the league. The Packers have had an NFL-leading four roughing-the-passer penalties called against them, but should look to use the tape on Matthews to gain more insight into what they've been doing wrong.
However, Packers linebacker Antonio Morrison says that the tapes the NFL send out don't always have the best clarity, via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
“They're trying to send us out tapes,” Morrison said. “The solution is to let us play football. Quarterbacks, they've got on pads, they've got on a helmet, too. I know they make a lot of money, but this is all men in the sport. We can't treat one man like a princess and the other man as if we need to respect that princess. I see it as every dog should be equal. If you've got on pads and a helmet, it's all go. I can understand the hitting in the helmet, I agree with that 100 percent. But this is tough.”
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy thinks that the referees should account for variables. While Aaron Rodgers went down with a collar bone injury last year from a crucial hit, he wants to make sure opposing quarterbacks don't have a leg up on his pass-rushers.
“You look at both of the penalties that were called in the game, the quarterbacks, they're trying to throw the ball,” McCarthy said. “If you're trying to throw the ball and you're totally exposed, I think that maybe you have to potentially factor into the action,” said McCarthy.
Once the official tape is released, nobody will be reviewing it as intently as the Packers. They don't want to throw away any more fourth-quarter leads because of roughing-the-passer penalties in the foreseeable future.
Follow Us
Subscribe