A controversial name negated a vital takeaway for the Patriots in New England’s horrific loss to the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones picked off a Kyler Murray cross supposed for Michael Wilson. Sadly for New England, edge rusher Anfernee Jennings was whistled for roughing the passer, killing the turnover.
Pool reporter Mike Reiss of ESPN met with referee Ron Torbert after the sport to debate the controversial name.
Within the report, Torbert defined what the officers noticed and stood by the crew’s name.
Right here is the transcript of Reiss’ change with Torbert, per the reporter’s put up on X.
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Query: What did you see on the sphere that led to the flag for roughing the passer (third quarter, Third-and-6, Arizona 8)?
Torbert: “The flag got here from the umpire’s place. The umpire noticed a success to the quarterback’s helmet simply after he had thrown the ball.”
Query: How does the quarterback scrambling as a runner as he approaches the road of scrimmage earlier than throwing the ball have an effect on the safety supplied to the quarterback below the roughing the passer rule?
Torbert: “This doesn’t influence the safety that he will get from forcible hits to the helmet. Though he’s scrambling and dealing the pocket, he nonetheless will get the identical safety from forcible hits to the helmet that he would if he had been standing within the pocket.”
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Query: If in a state of affairs like that, a quarterback possibly lowers his head after throwing the ball earlier than contact was made by the protection, how would that have an effect on the safety of quarterbacks below the roughing the passer rule?
Torbert: “By rule, that motion doesn’t influence the safety that he will get from forcible hits to the helmet. We must see that motion if it occurs. That in itself doesn’t change the safety that he will get from forcible hits to the helmet.”
Query: For a defensive participant who would ask what he must do to not be penalized in that state of affairs, is the reply so simple as there can’t be forcible contact to the helmet?
Torbert: “In that specific state of affairs, on condition that’s what we referred to as, that may be the reply. That’s the reason that the flag was thrown due to the forcible contact to the quarterback’s head and neck space.”
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With the 30-17 loss, the Patriots fell to 3-11 on the season. They may now journey to Buffalo to tackle the 11-3 Payments in Week 16.
