The preseason is a chance to work out the kinks. It’s also a chance for the officiating crews to get their penalty-flag throwing arms in game shape.
The crew at the Los Angeles Chargers-Arizona Cardinals game was in midseason form during one play in the second quarter Thursday.
Ryan Winslows’s 52-yard boot led to the following infractions on a play that had a return of no yards by Artavis Scott.
Bring on the flags:
Unsportsmanlike conduct penalty: LA’s Justice Liggins (enforced)
Holding LA’s Detrez Newman: declined
Holding: Liggins (declined)
Holding: Roderic Team (declined)
After all that, a play that began at the Arizona 16 ended up with the Chargers having to start their drive at the LA 17, a total of 67 yards between the punt and penalty.
In the third quarter, there was another bizarre play and penalty. First, it appeared Cardale Jones had fumbled and Arizona’s Pete Robertson picked the ball out of the air and returned it for a touchdown.
However, on the way to the end zone, Robertson ran past the Chargers’ Mike Windt.
The veteran long snapper had already been heading onto the field, expecting a punt on fourth down.
In the long run, replay ruled Jones was down prior to the fumble, but Windt was still called for unsportsmanlike conduct for being on the field in the midst of the play.
