Just hours after NFL VP of Officiating Dean Blandino ruled that Terrell Suggs’ hit on Sam Bradford was legal, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly disputed the league’s interpretation of the play in question.
The league saw the play as a clear example of a read-option handoff to the running back, which makes Bradford a runner in the eyes of the officials at the time when Suggs hit the quarterback.
Kelly doesn’t agree, and he’s saying now that the play was not a read-option to begin with.
Chip says Suggs-Bradford play wasn't a read option. "Not every shotgun handoff is a read option."
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) August 24, 2015
As such, it’s not surprising that Kelly agrees with the initial ruling on the field, which was a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty.
Chip says the roughing the passer call was correct. Says he doesn't think it was intentional. #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 24, 2015
When watching the play unfold, it really does appear to be a read-option handoff.
The league interpreted this play as a read-option, as well, per Blandino.
This means we could be looking at some more sticky situations throughout the season on plays similar to this one, which could be a big problem.
The officials on the field have discretionary power, and clearly they didn’t think it was a read-option in this instance, and it cost Baltimore 15 yards. Some games are won and lost based on calls like this, and while it doesn’t matter in preseason football, it most certainly will matter when the regular season begins.
Kelly did clarify something regarding his team’s scheme and the read-option. He said the only quarterback that will be running the zone read is “Timmy.”
"The only QB we run zone read with is Timmy." — Chip #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 24, 2015
Until he changes his mind, that is.