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Jason Kelce Nails It: The NFL Got The Skattebo Call Wrong
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- Jason Kelce Nails It: The NFL Got The Skattebo Call Wrong
Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
The NFL officials made a terrible call on Sunday that has Jason Kelce absolutely fuming. During the Giants' 27-21 overtime win against the Houston Texans, the league penalized Cam Skattebo for unnecessary roughness. The flag came on a first-quarter run where Skattebo lowered his helmet to hit a defender. CBS Sports stated that this season marked only the fourth instance of that particular foul being called, and the initial occurrence involving an offensive player outside of special teams.
The Penalty Was A Mistake
Jason Kelce did not hold back his anger on the "New Heights" podcast after the game. He said the ball carrier should be free to drop his shoulder and gain yards however he wants. "If the running back hits the defensive player with the crown of his helmet, and you get run over, that's the defensive guy's fault," Jason Kelce said. He believes the league is punishing players for doing their job. The 15-yard penalty did not cost the Giants the game, but it sets a bad precedent for the future.
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Travis Kelce agreed with his brother, scoffing at the penalty by simply saying, "That's football." If a defensive player tries to tackle a runner up top and gets hit in the legs, the blame belongs on the defender. Jason Kelce called the ruling a "dumbass penalty" and said the runner should have the ability to play the game the way it was meant to be played.
Skattebo Will Not Change His Style
Cam Skattebo told the league he will not change his running style even if he faces more fines. He knows the rules are strict, but he also knows he is one of the most physical ballcarriers in the NFL. Jason Kelce called that the "f—ing dumbest G–damn thing I've ever seen."
Giants coach John Harbaugh has Skattebo's back in this situation. While the running back was in trouble the previous week for fumbling issues, Harbaugh now supports his physical approach. Skattebo, according to the coach, faced a "physical impossibility" in avoiding lowering his helmet while trying to break tackles.
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The League Is Overreacting
Jason Kelce asked the right questions about how a player is supposed to run. "How do you — you go flat? Eyes, head up? What's the position? You have to get into a specific position?" In the event he is simply attempting to drop his pads and speed up. he asked. The answer is that runners need to lower their pads to gain yards. You cannot expect a runner to stay upright and avoid all contact.
The Giants won the game on Sunday, but the conversation about safety rules is far from over. Skattebo was at odds with his coach earlier, but now Jason Kelce is publicly supporting him. The league fines players for being too physical. As Jason Kelce put it, "It's f—ing stupid."
