Packers: NFL has a problem after another controversial call

The NFL has a problem, and unlike injuries or player conduct, they have created this problem.

In an era of player safety, it’s understandable that the NFL may side with caution when it comes to certain types of plays or hits. But three weeks into the season, the NFL has a problem that may, and probably will, only get worse.

For the second week in a row, Clay Matthews was flagged for a controversial roughing the passer call. I just don’t know what else Matthews could have done.

Matthews cleanly beat his man and had a free shot at quarterback Alex Smith. He then turned his head to avoid contact in the head or neck, as well as making sure to not lead with the crown of his helmet. He then wrapped Smith up around his upper body, ensuring to not to lift the quarterback and made the sack, third-and-long.

Except it was not. Yellow on the field, flag thrown. Fifteen yards, first down Washington.

An irate Mike McCarthy was looking for an explanation, anything, just something to explain what just happened. He got nothing.

McCarthy was clearly seen saying, “what else can he do?”. Even FOX’s rules analyst Dean Blandino was looking for an explanation. McCarthy was lucky not to have a flag thrown for unsportsmanlike conduct on him.

But, what else could McCarthy do?

I don’t think there was a player on the field, or anyone in the stadium for that matter, who could believe what just happened. Least of all Clay Matthews.

The emphasis was made in the offseason that player safety, more importantly the safety of quarterbacks, was going to be paramount. After watching the Packers lose Aaron Rodgers on a legal yet unnecessary hit, you knew a rules change was coming.

I don’t think anyone knew just how bad it was going to get.

Roughing the passer penalties are up, way up so far this season. Again, with the emphasis on player safety that could be expected, but seriously, what else can players do to not get flagged?

Over officiated games have taken away from the product on the field. There is no if, ands, or buts about it. Games are becoming hard to watch. Players just don’t know what to do anymore.

It’s not just roughing the passer. Flags are being thrown what seems like every other play.

A play, some action, flag, break in play, march off the yardage and get set for the next play. Three plays later, if we’re lucky, another flag repeat process. I can’t remember the last time I saw a punt return without a flag.

For the first time we have full-time officiating crews in the NFL. This was supposed to solve the problem with officials getting in the way of games. Instead, another poorly clarified rule has created more controversy.

Officials are being told to throw the flag if the play is close to a foul. Referees are now more afraid of missing a call and being criticized by the league instead of being allowed to make a judgment call.

There is no way Matthews could have done anything different. We don’t live in the matrix, Matthews is not an air bender. There’s no way running at full speed he could have done anything to change the way his body was going to come down.

It was a clean play, except it wasn’t. The play wasn’t overly violent or unnecessary. By almost all accounts it was a clean, hard sack. Except it wasn’t in the eyes of the officials.

Something could be said about how quickly the league responded. Before the next commercial break, Al Riveron apparently called the broadcast to clarify why it was a flag. But no one bought it. Charles Davis‘ explanation was different from what was explained. Dean Blandino still couldn’t believe the explanation.

What can anyone do? Outside the league office, the answer is nothing.

Green Bay didn’t lose the game because of the call. But last week the same could not be said. But the call did take away positive momentum the Packers were building.

This is a league-wide problem. It isn’t one limited to the north-east corner of Wisconsin. All over the league questionable calls are being made, the Packers just seem to be in the middle of them lately.

Regardless if you’re a Packers fan or not, this is a problem. Unlike ACLs or player arrests, this is one the league created. And sadly clarity does not seem to be on the way.

The NFL has painted itself into a corner with this rule. Player safety should be first. But when you take away textbook form and tackles players have been learning their entire life, you take away from the game.