This writer doesn't know anything about football if he thinks Cousins was arguably under pressure from the Saints' defense on this play. His throwing the ball when he did had nothing whatsoever to do with a fear of being sacked. The rule against intentional grounding has always been about preventing quarterbacks from avoiding sacks. On the play in question he took the snap and threw it immediately without any regard for the Saints' pass rush. The rule clearly should not have been applied.
Matt - 6 years ago
Cousins himself even admitted what his intentions were:
"Cousins explained his intention at the time was to throw a quick incompletion after Gruden saw the Saints’ defensive formation would likely stuff the running play Washington had called. Instead of audibling to a passing play, Cousins instead wanted to kill the play as quickly as possible with an incompletion rather than risk a negative play. He aimed his throw toward the sideline, acknowledging that throwing the ball at Crowder’s cleats would have been better. "
So, by his own admission, he intentionally grounded the ball while in the pocket, due to the pressure he expected to (and did) face. How is that not intentional grounding? He literally intentionally threw it out of bounds while in the pocket.
Nathan Long - 6 years ago
All the people complaining about the call probably did not pay attention to the rest of the game. The redskins were holding on every single play and never got flagged once. It got so bad one time Trey Hendrickson put his hands up in the air to show he was being held and then was tackled and the refs did not make the call. They also missed a clear late hit on Drew Brees and an obvious PI call downfield that would have changed this game. Also, D.J. Swearinger came off the bench multiple times to taunt the Saints and never got called for it. I agree the call was wrong, but the refs were even worse for the Saints. We had to beat the Redskins and the refs.
BobBobson - 6 years ago
lol@ the Eagles fans crying. It was the right call you sissies.
Carson - 6 years ago
I'm an Eagles fan but that was a terrible call. The fact that you're trying to justify makes me think you should consider a new career as a rational observation and reporting on football isn't within your skill set. Every QB is within a few seconds of pressure. A few seconds has never been what imminent threat of a loss of yardage means. Cousins has no one in his face. He isn't making the throw to avoid pressure but throwing to a spot he thinks the WR is going to be. The fact that you can't see is either because you're incompetent or a poor attempt at click bait.
Greg - 6 years ago
Refs should be fired for making this Sh!t up...
Sam - 6 years ago
The referees botched the call. If that would be Brady or Breed throwing that ball I highly doubt you get that flag. These guys have a poor grasp of the rules
This writer doesn't know anything about football if he thinks Cousins was arguably under pressure from the Saints' defense on this play. His throwing the ball when he did had nothing whatsoever to do with a fear of being sacked. The rule against intentional grounding has always been about preventing quarterbacks from avoiding sacks. On the play in question he took the snap and threw it immediately without any regard for the Saints' pass rush. The rule clearly should not have been applied.
Cousins himself even admitted what his intentions were:
"Cousins explained his intention at the time was to throw a quick incompletion after Gruden saw the Saints’ defensive formation would likely stuff the running play Washington had called. Instead of audibling to a passing play, Cousins instead wanted to kill the play as quickly as possible with an incompletion rather than risk a negative play. He aimed his throw toward the sideline, acknowledging that throwing the ball at Crowder’s cleats would have been better. "
So, by his own admission, he intentionally grounded the ball while in the pocket, due to the pressure he expected to (and did) face. How is that not intentional grounding? He literally intentionally threw it out of bounds while in the pocket.
All the people complaining about the call probably did not pay attention to the rest of the game. The redskins were holding on every single play and never got flagged once. It got so bad one time Trey Hendrickson put his hands up in the air to show he was being held and then was tackled and the refs did not make the call. They also missed a clear late hit on Drew Brees and an obvious PI call downfield that would have changed this game. Also, D.J. Swearinger came off the bench multiple times to taunt the Saints and never got called for it. I agree the call was wrong, but the refs were even worse for the Saints. We had to beat the Redskins and the refs.
lol@ the Eagles fans crying. It was the right call you sissies.
I'm an Eagles fan but that was a terrible call. The fact that you're trying to justify makes me think you should consider a new career as a rational observation and reporting on football isn't within your skill set. Every QB is within a few seconds of pressure. A few seconds has never been what imminent threat of a loss of yardage means. Cousins has no one in his face. He isn't making the throw to avoid pressure but throwing to a spot he thinks the WR is going to be. The fact that you can't see is either because you're incompetent or a poor attempt at click bait.
Refs should be fired for making this Sh!t up...
The referees botched the call. If that would be Brady or Breed throwing that ball I highly doubt you get that flag. These guys have a poor grasp of the rules