No penalty flags were thrown for hip-drop tackles in Week One of the NFL season, but two Giants defenders were fined for violating the new ban on the move.
Fines Issued Instead of Flags
Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson felt the league’s sting when he was slapped with a $9,804 fine for a tackle on Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt. Not far behind, linebacker Darius Muasau found himself lighter by $4,696 for his tackle on wide receiver Jordan Addison. This wasn’t just any tackle, folks—Addison exited with an ankle injury, meaning he’ll be sidelined for this weekend’s matchup. What a blow for the Vikings, am I right? It’s like losing a tire mid-race!
Enforcement by the League
The NFL has made it clear that when it comes to the hip-drop tackle, they’ll wield their power through fines rather than in-game penalties. And who can blame them? The play is like trying to catch a greased football; it’s got too many elements to judge on the fly. Imagine referees trying to juggle all those details mid-game—they’d need the eyes of a hawk!
The Jets Escape Without a Fine
In another twist, Jets cornerback Michael Carter looked like he might have pulled off a crafty hip-drop on 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings during last Monday night’s game. Jennings was barely in the air before he was out of it, but Carter dodged the fine. Talk about slipping through the cracks!
It’s a new era, die-hard NFL fans. While the rules tighten, our love for the gridiron action only grows stronger. Hold on to your hats and glasses; this season is shaping up to be one wild ride!
