Bill Belichick defended New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones, who made a helmet-to-helmet tackle on Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen on Sunday. Because of Jones’ hit, which was penalized for unnecessary roughness, Allen left the game with a head injury and did not return after going into concussion protocol.
Following the Patriots’ 16-10 win in Week 4, the responses have been severe, particularly in Buffalo, where Bills coach Sean McDermott said “there’s no place for that in football.” Belichick, however, didn’t seem sure why the play was penalized. He was asked Monday how he might coach Jones differently.
“When there isn’t much to tell him to do differently, you don’t tell him anything,” Belichick said during a conference call on Monday. “I mean, Allen’s a big runner. He’s a strong guy. He’s hard to tackle. He certainly broke several tackles against us. Jon turned when he hit (Allen). (Jones) didn’t lead with his head. He didn’t have that posture, so I think (NFL Vice President of officiating) Al Riveron talked about the play yesterday. That’s what we have to go by. We’ll coach it by what Al’s guidelines or commentary were on the play.”
On third-and-8 in the second half the Patriots’ win, Jones was scrambling upfield in an attempt to get the first down with his legs. As Allen lowered and braced for impact from Jones and safety Duron Harmon, Jones’ helmet struck Allen’s. As Belichick mentioned, it seems Jones was attempting to adjust his shoulders in an attempt to avoid the collision of helmets — rather than intentionally cause the helmet-to-helmet contact.
Belichick was asked what he has thought about McDermott’s assessment, which was hardly the only critical one. Bills safeties Micah Hyde and Josh Poyer were outspoken about the hit — and the officials’ treatment of the hit — being unfair.
“It really doesn’t matter what you think or what I think or what anyone else thinks,” Belichick said. “They’re the ones that are officiating the play, and we’ll coach it within the rules as the rules are interpreted.”
Jones clarified after the game that he had no malicious intent. It’s clear that the play was deserving of a penalty. The question as to whether he deserves a fine or a suspension — or deserved an ejection — remains up for debate.
