re: NFL fining Saints’ K Boyd: “Forward progress was stopped” on Devonta Smith

Rewatched the play on YT TV, no whistles until right before Smith hits the ground.

I don't understand the fine. Was the fine for a late hit? There was no unnecessary roughness called on the field. There was no defenseless player penalty called. It was a clean hit. Khristan did not lead with the helmet.

I just don't get it.

I think both the Saints and players union combined should get involved on this one

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How did he know it was going to be the referee’s opinion that forward progress was stopped? Did the whistle blow?

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Based on the timing of the whistle on the broadcast, it sounded like they only blew the whistle to keep the players from fighting for the loose ball. It appears they were not ruling forward progress was stopped until after the hit.

Forcible contact to head or neck against a defenseless player. It probably looks worse in real time also.

This is what football is now. I don’t like the rules but they are what they are and they aren’t getting any better.

if the roles were reversed that would have been a saints fumble

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Forcible contact to head or neck

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If they watched the replay they would see neither.

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The league should make this a thing. If refs are held accountable by fines or even suspensions, there wouldn't be so many blown calls.

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I mean I hate some blown calls as much as the next guy but if you start penalizing these dudes heavily they’re just going to say frick this and go ref college and you’ll likely just get even shittier refs. They don’t make enough to be hang around and be fined. Also they didn’t call a penalty here. This is all the NFL and their after the fact bullshite.

I’ve always been of the thinking that they should have permanent full time refs and should be incorporating more tech into these calls…but that would make shite way more objective

This whole thread is about "why did they fine him". lol