Did Officials Botch Jared Goff Trick-Play?
The general consensus regarding the penalty that cost Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff an early touchdown was there involved a significant amount of confusion.
Goff was called for illegal motion, but the officials needed far too much time to throw a flag, leading many to question if the league called in to assist with the understanding of the rules.
On the television broadcast, rules analyst Terry McCauley quickly informed viewers, "He (Goff) takes a position behind the center. He’s got to step back and pause for a second and establish as a back before he goes in motion. He didn’t. He stayed in motion. This is illegal. This is an illegal formation.”
Referee Craig Wrolstad shared following Sunday Night Football in a pool report that it was determined Goff did not properly reset behind the line of scrimmage and establish himself as a back.
"There were a lot of moving parts on that play. We had a quarterback go up to the line of scrimmage. He paused momentarily in the quarterback position, didn't get under center, but he walked up and stopped like he was the quarterback," Wrolstad explained. "Then, he went in motion, and they threw the ball to him for a touchdown. If the quarterback assumes the position and then goes in motion, he has to then stop for a second before they snap the ball.
"Because he gets out of the view and some of the officials, we had to piece it together as a crew as to whether he stopped initially and then whether he stopped when he went in motion."
Wrolstad explained the crew did not receive any sort of assistance from the league or any league representatives in Kanas City.
"It was determined after a lengthy discussion that he stopped at the quarterback position and then went in motion. But when he does that, he has to stop when he goes into motion."
Former Lions offensive lineman T.J. Lang indicated he found it difficult to believe the officials did not receive any outside assistance.
“You’re never gonna convince me of that," said Lang. "Like how does that operation happen where a minute goes by and then you come up together and say, 'Hey guys do you think he was too close to the center?' If you see it, your job is to call it live and then discuss afterwards. So no, you’re not gonna convince me.”
Steelers’ Jalen Ramsey will tell kids about out-sacking TJ Watt, Myles Garrett in Week 6
Jalen Ramsey had bragging rights towards TJ Watt and Myles Garrett following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 23-9 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon.
Ramsey has been enjoying his first year with the Steelers, having departed the Miami Dolphins after two seasons. He’s embraced his role in the defense, shining in the secondary as Pittsburgh had a strong start to the season.
Against the Browns, Ramsey finished with six tackles, two pass deflections and two sacks. In the sacking department, he had the advantage over his co-star Watt (0.5 sacks) and opponent Garrett (no sacks).
“Imma probably tell my kids about this. I played in a game with TJ Watt and Myles Garrett and had two sacks. That’s crazy, huh!?,” Ramsey said.
What lies ahead for Jalen Ramsey, Steelers
It’s certainly a notable and humorous story for Jalen Ramsey to tell to his family. Having more sacks than TJ Watt and Myles Garrett, who both have knacks for being elite pass rushers, in a game is worth having bragging rights about.
Ramsey has been productive throughout five games in the Steelers’ secondary. He has 20 tackles, four pass deflections, three quarterback hits, and an interception so far.
Pittsburgh boasts a 4-1 record after five games, leading the AFC North Division standings. They are two games above the Cincinnati Bengals and three games above the Baltimore Ravens and Browns. As for the conference, they control the second spot as they only trail behind the Indianapolis Colts.
The Steelers continue preparation for their upcoming matchup, being on the road. They face the Bengals on Oct. 16 at 8:15 p.m. ET.
