Finally the NFL officiating has given an explanation that makes sense regarding the offensive pass interference call against Redskins wide receiver Kelvin Harmon against the Cincinnati Bengals. It turns out everyone fan and media criticizing the officials were wrong.
It’s preseason, but the NFL’s officiating as pertain to pass interference has drew criticism from media and fans. Thursday’s game between the Bengals and Redskins appeared to provide NFL officiating another controversial PR hit.
Harmon was turning around going for what was an under thrown pass from quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Bengals defensive back Davontae Harris ran into a leaping Harmon as the ball bounced off his gloves.
The nearby official threw his flag, calling Harmon for offensive pass interference. Judging from all viewpoints the television cameras provided, the call seemed absurd. Redskins head coach Jay Gruden thought so too, and immediately challenged the call on the field. Surprisingly the call was upheld.
Gruden did not like the explanation given to him on the field, and all viewers were puzzled how the penalty could be on Harmon.
However, it appears the penalty occurred before the TV cameras picked up the action on the end of the route. Harmon actually pushed off on Harris earlier in his route to get the separation that put Harris behind him. NFL Officiating explained the call via Twitter.
Pro Football Talk pointed out with a photo via Twitter, the official was in fact throwing out his flag before the ball arrived at the point of impact.
The question begs, how come the officials on the field did not explain the sequence right then? At the very least to Gruden. The league then danced around an explanation immediately following until now. An earlier explanation would have cut off the criticism from Gruden, fans, and media that followed.
Then again their process is probably best to protect officials.
It’s just a preseason game. However, with the league implementing their new pass interference rule that allows such sequences to be reviewable, the NFL Officiating will probably have to explain decisions made surrounding the new and confusing rule, at least for the foreseeable future.
