Haloti Ngata flagged for controversial penalty on Robert Griffin III
The last thing a battered Ravens defense needs is Robert Griffin III receiving any undue help from the officials Sunday. But that’s what seemed to occur on a key first-quarter play.
On a 2nd-and-13 from the Washington 45, Griffin threw the ball away under pressure, drawing an intentional grounding flag. However, that penalty was offset by a roughing the passer penalty against Haloti Ngata for what was deemed a helmet-to-helmet hit.
But, was Ngata wrongly penalized? Here’s the play in question, courtesy of SBNation:
The contact appeared much worse than it was because Griffin’s helmet flew off when he hit the ground, an extraneous reaction that may have helped draw the flag. Ngata was also not late in getting to Griffin — he drilled Washington’s quarterback just as he released the pass:
Replays clearly show Haloti Ngata did not hit RG3 with the crown of his helmet. It was just a very hard push.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 9, 2012
Mike Pereira seemed to acknowledge that Ngata’s hit wasn’t to RGIII’s helmet, but said it was close enough for the NFL.
It’s crown of the helmet to the neck area. Close but they want that called on the Ngata hit. He likely will be fined.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) December 9, 2012
Given a reprieve on second down, Griffin then found Leonard Hankerson for a 29-yard completion to the Baltimore 26. Three plays later, Alfred Morris scored on a 1-yard run to put the Redskins up, 14-7.
having "retired referees" as so called "experts" on during the games is STUPID. These "experts" get the call wrong most of the time....and besides, what good does it do having these clowns on?
Why don't guys strap up their helmet? As much as people criticize the NFL, the players are really putting themselves at risk. RG3 could have easily hit the ground without his helmet on.
It's clearly an ILLEGAL hit .. look at the replay - right before impact, he puts his head down and leads with his helmet. That is illegal. Now it's not something that seems blatant, but the flag was right. In this "new" league, you simply don't lead with your helmet anymore, especially on a QB.
Somebody needs to chop block this fat ba####d Ngata and sideline him. This clown is a walking cheap shot artist and needs to be dealt with...
@ConradDobler that hit was legal dude
No--He should have been tossed out like most of the Raven cheep shot artist's--
@JamesDickason for a clean hit? Not a Ravens fan btw
@BryanCustard @JamesDickason Right on, Bryan. I'm a Broncos fan who thinks only a super homer for the Redskins could see that hit as illegal. And, frankly, as a Broncos fan, I root for the Redskins because I'm a Shanahan fan and I like RGIII, too, but come on. That hit was in RGIII's chest and his head wasn't lowered. It wasn't close. No way that's illegal.
whatever. the bad spot on the garcon catch in the first was a way worse call. HTTR
So now if it is close to being an illegal hit they are going to call it?
This is whats wrong with the NFL, just put 2 pink towels in either side of the hips and pull when you want the play to be over. /sigh
@JamesMartin How many NFL hits have you taken? If you really want to lower injuries, tho, just outlaw pads of any kind and helmets, too. Course then you've got rugby . . . .