The New York Giants have plenty of reasons to be upset with the officiating in Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
One call in particular, or rather a non-call, stands out in particular. That’s the play which cost Cam Skattebo the remainder of his rookie season.
We won’t show video of the play, but Skattebo ran a route on a second-and-16. Eagles’ linebacker Zach Baun got there a hair early, but that wasn’t the issue. Rather it’s the tackle, with Baun wrapping Skattebo up, dropped his weight, swinging himself down and trapping his legs under him which is the problem.
In other words, Baun seems to have executed a “hip-drop” tackle. Or at least that’s how it looks here.
The hip drop tackle was banned due to the risk for offensive players, which was proven out by Skattebo’s injury.
The play, of course, wasn’t called. It usually isn’t called during games. Rather, the league fines players it deems as having executed one.
There’s some question as to whether the play was a hip-drop by the letter of the rule:
“WHELL AHKSHUALLY”, the blue checks say, Skattebo wasn’t a runner when he was injured. He didn’t establish control of the ball or make a “football move”. That fact, technicality, may have kept the refs from throwing the flag in the moment.
But should it yet draw a fine?
The NFL has emphasized player safety, and Skattebo’s injury was a gruesome one. And considering his recent status as a popular young player, it’s a very public injury. The NFL may want to use the incident to show that they’re serious about protecting players and policing dangerous plays.
We won’t get into whether or not the NFL “owes” the Giants after the poorly officiated game. Yes, there was potentially a 17-point swing. And the play cost the Giants one of their best young players.
but there’s also no way for the Giants to be made whole and Skattebo can’t be magically healed.
But do you think Baun should be disciplined — likely fined — for the play?
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