Stop bellyaching, 3 times referees nearly cost LA Rams the game

Cowboys play whack-a-mole on Goff’s helmet

The Dallas Cowboys signed former outside linebacker Aldon Smith to play defensive end for them. While he was once a dominating defender for the San Francisco 49ers, he struggled with substance abuse and was indefinitely suspended from the NFL.  He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys and reinstated this year. And despite his absence from the game for several years, he was a defensive force for the Cowboys in the opener.

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But there was a play in the second half that was an embarrassment to the referees in the game and to Aldon Smith himself.  On a pass play, Jared Goff steps back to pass and Aldon Smith launches himself at Goff.  The problem? He uses his hand to whack Goff helmet so hard that it literally pushes the helmet to the side of Goff’s head. That is an automatic 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer. Automatic. No interpretation is necessary.

No interception, 15 yards assessed, game over

The play continued on without a flag. The result was the pass was thrown behind the receiver.  With his helmet facing the sidelines and his brains scramble, Jared Goff threw his only turnover, an interception. That play never should have happened.

Here it is for a closer look. Aldon Smith is not going for a sack. He’s trying to rip Jared Goff’s head off in this play.  I get it, This is a violent sport, and it takes its toll on players. But on this play, a clear blow to the head of a quarterback engaged in the passing motion and no flag?  The result put the Dallas Cowboys within three points of the Rams.

So no, you don’t get to whine about the offensive pass interference. It was a legitimate and correct call based on the rules of the NFL.  But what you CAN do is ask why the NFL officiating allows Dallas defenders to rip Rams’ quarterback Jared Goff’s head from his shoulders with no penalty?  If you want to question the integrity of the NFL officiating in the headlines, how about you ask why the NFL allowed the quarterback to be subjected to that play with no penalty.

Perhaps the real question about integrity in the NFL is not about the officiating at all. Perhaps it’s rightfully asked of the media, whose silence on that play speaks volumes. Where is the integrity of football media on that one? Why haven’t they made the ‘right’ call?