The Patriots played a football game on Thursday night which means it's time for a fresh NFL conspiracy . (Bum Bum Bum.) The conspiracy coming out of New England's 27-25 win over the Jets involves the final field goal, which makes it very similar to last season.
As noted/highlighted by Chris Chase of For the Win, the back judge ran up to Dont'a Hightower and tapped him just before Nick Folk attempted a 58-yard field goal to win the game.
Naturally, the Internet was outraged because that's what the Internet does, especially when it involves the Patriots. In theory, the Jets got burnt because if Hightower stays where he was, the Jets draw a five-yard penalty on the Pats in violation of Rule 9, Section 1, Article 3 of the NFL rule book.
“When Team A presents a punt, field-goal, or Try Kick formation, a Team B player, who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage, must have his entire body outside the snapper's shoulder pads at the snap.”
So, yes, the officials "helped" the Patriots. But NFL VP of Officiating Dean Blandino pointed out Friday it's "standard" and "preventative officiating"
“This is a standard officiating mechanic. We call it 'preventative officiating,'" Blandino explained on NFL AM Friday. "Because it's a player safety rule, we're trying to avoid a situation before it happens so the umpires will get in there and move that player out of there. More often you see it when a player is in a three-point stance and he is down on the line of scrimmage and you'll see the umpire tap the player to move him out of that because we have to be outside the framework of the center.
"So this is really no different than the line of scrimmage officials pointing out the line to the wideouts and it's a standard mechanic, not something that would be unusual by any means."
Technically speaking, the onus is on the player and Blandino acknowledged that. But because it's a player safety issue, it's "not unusual" for the officials to ensure the player won't be in a situation to cause harm to another player, get injured, etc.
“If you watch the play, what Hightower is actually going to do, he's going up to the line to make a line call because then you'll see the defensive line shift," Blandino said. "Then he's going to back out. So it is on the player to understand that but we will in certain situations warn players to prevent things from happening, especially when it's a player safety issue and trying to prevent a potential injury situation.
"Ultimately, it's on the player but this is something that has been a mechanic ever since this rule has been in place and like I said, not unusual."
This probably won't stop the screaming about the Pats and officials but hopefully it at least prevents something else being given the "-gate" designation.
NFL Hot News
Bengals WR A.J. Green (toe) doubtful for Week 7; HC Marvin Lewis uncertain of return
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said on Friday that there is not a set timetable for the return of all-pro wide receiver A.J. Green. Green missed most of the Bengals game in Week 2 with the injury before returning to play in Week 3 and again in Week 5 after the team's bye. However, after suffering a setback, Green missed the team's Week 6 game with Carolina, which ended in a 37-37 tie.In the three complete games Green has played, he has 17 catches for 314 yards and two touchdowns.
This is not good news in the short-term for Green owners who were undoubtedly hoping the stud reciever would return this week. However, his toe injury is something that could be worsened by trying to play on it before it's ready. It may be best for him to take another week to let it heal. After losing WR Marvin Jones to the season-ending IR and with TE Tyler Eifert on short-term IR, nobody wants Green back more than QB Andy Dalton.While Green remains out, WR Mohamed Sanu and RB Giovani Bernard will continue to have their value elevated. Dalton's is lessened.
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