Panthers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was called for one of the worst roughing the passer penalties in league history on Sunday. His tackle of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in his own end zone should have resulted in a grounding penalty. Instead, Green Bay got to continue a drive that lasted for the rest of the second quarter, robbing the Panthers of a crucial chance to score before the half.
Coach Ron Rivera says he plans to submit the call to the league for clarification, per David Newton at ESPN.
“Panthers coach Ron Rivera plans to send the controversial third-down roughing the passer penalty called on Gerald McCoy in the end zone with less than 5 minutes left in the first half to the league for clarification.”
McCoy says the officials told him that the flag was thrown because he landed with his full weight on Rodgers. Except that’s the exact opposite of what McCoy did.
If you watch the play, you’ll see he did everything in his power to shift his weight and slide off to the right instead of driving Rodgers into the ground.
Ridiculous.
Hopefully the league admits Jerome Boger’s crew made a mistake, but it won’t help now.
