Roughing the passer fouls are among the most contentious calls in the NFL each week. Star defenders Cam Jordan and Von Miller both took issue with a recent call in particular.
Miller and Jordan discussed the call during Sunday’s games between the New England Patriots and the Washington Commanders.
KJ Henry, a rookie edge rusher for the Commanders, appeared to record his first career sack and forced fumble of Patriots quarterback Mac Jones.
On the play, however, Henry was called for roughing the passer, effectively ending the historic moment for the Commanders’ rookie.
It appeared to be a typical sack that should have been a watershed moment for the rookie. And Miller and Jordan recently discussed the call, apologizing to Henry for taking his moment away from him.
“The way the refs are calling the roughing the passer call, it’s crazy man,” Miller said on The Voncast, according to Bleacher Report. “Right here, the Commanders versus the Patriots.” What else can you do in this situation?”
Cam Jordan then chimed in, saying Henry “did all the right things” on the sack.
For you to take away this sack from him. I believe this was his first sack of the season. He’s a youngster. He gets a sack and follows the rules. He doesn’t throw a bomb at the quarterback. It feels like you’re up against 14 people on defense. 11 on offense, plus two or three refs out to get you.”
Adrian Hill, the referee who called roughing on the Commanders, recently justified the call by claiming Henry came down with his full body weight.
But, as a defender, how do you keep your full weight from collapsing on the quarterback in that situation?
Most fans agree with Cam Jordan when he says that the referees are out to get defenders who try to make a play on the quarterback.
Simply put, playing defense in the NFL today is more difficult than ever. And the way refs call roughing the passer is undoubtedly a major factor.
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