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Jesse Minter praises Nate Wiggins' response after costly late-game penalty
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- Jesse Minter praises Nate Wiggins' response after costly late-game penalty
The Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys game was epic. That's the appropriate description. It was great storytelling. It was better than a movie. We all saw action and drama as two proud franchises combined for great theatre in the highest-viewed international NFL game of all time .
The Ravens would escape Brazil with the victory , but not every moment unfolded according to plan. One of the game's most debated sequences came when cornerback Nate Wiggins was flagged for defensive pass interference during Dallas' late fourth-quarter drive.
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At the time, the penalty helped keep the Cowboys moving and added to the tension surrounding a game that ultimately came down to the final seconds. What impressed Ravens head coach Jesse Minter, however, wasn't the penalty itself. It was how Wiggins responded afterward.
Jesse Minter valued Bate Wiggins' response more than his mistake
Jesse Minter spoke with the media on Wednesday . He was asked about how the NFL judges defensive pass interference. He was also asked whether the NFL should revisit replay review for those calls. Minter largely sidestepped the league-wide discussion and instead focused on his young cornerback's reaction.
"To prop up Nate Wiggins, I'm sure we're talking about that particular play... You said that, not me. (laughter) His response to that is what we're looking for. It's a play that happens, [and] he comes the next play and covers the heck out of the fade route on maybe one of the best fade runners in the whole league [and] has another really good rep."
Minter stressed that mistakes are inevitable in the NFL, particularly for defensive backs who spend much of the game in one-on-one situations against elite receivers. Rather than dwelling on a penalty, the Ravens coach wants players to maintain their confidence and execute the next snap at a high level.
"That's what we're looking for. It is what it is sometimes when things get called, you have to live with it [and] you have to move on."
Nate Wiggins embraces the challenge.
Wiggins has never lacked confidence. His comments on Wednesday during his chat with the Baltimore media reflected the same competitive mindset Minter praised. When asked about covering receivers such as CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens in high-pressure situations, Wiggins made it clear he welcomes those moments.
"I mean, I love it. I think that was probably one of [the] best [parts of my] games, being competitive. I think that is what got me here. I do not think nobody [is] as competitive as me. Nobody [is] going to be as competitive as me when the game comes to that. I like myself in those situations."
That mentality surfaced again when Wiggins was asked about defending fade routes late in games. With that in mind, he offered the following.
"100 [percent]," Wiggins said when asked if he expected a fade route on a key Cowboys play. "I mean, 'GP' [George Pickens] — he is a fade guy."
The Ravens have spent much of the first three weeks searching for greater consistency on defense. While Minter acknowledged there is still work to do, Wiggins' ability to shake off adversity and immediately respond with strong coverage represented exactly the type of resilience Baltimore hopes becomes a defining trait as the season progresses.
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For a defense looking to establish its identity, Minter's message was simple. Penalties and mistakes will happen. What matters most is how players respond after them. Based on his coach's evaluation, Wiggins passed that test in Brazil.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Jesse Minter praises Nate Wiggins' response after costly late-game penalty
