The NFL is all but dead as we know it.
The league is having its growing pains instituting the new tackling rules dealing with helmet angle during hits, but this is totally separate.
During the Vikings-Jaguars preseason game in Minnesota Saturday, Vikings linebacker Antwione Williams was flagged for a roughing the passer, for “landing with his body weight” on the quarterback as explained by the referee. Only problem? This can only be called when the quarterback has released the ball, which didn’t happen.
This was a roughing the passer penalty, multiple angles pic.twitter.com/NpwUkcF3cx
— Born Salty (@cjzero) August 18, 2018
Granted you aren’t allowed to drive a quarterback into the ground, but apparently now you it’s not permitted to land on top of a quarterback when sacking him. Got it.
This is going to be a long season.