NFL Head Of Officiating: Suggs' Hit On Bradford 'Not A Foul'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- If you ask Eagles left-tackle Jason Peters, Terrell Suggs' hit on Sam Bradford in Saturday night's preseason game was a "cheap shot." However, while the hit may have been dirty, the NFL says it was legal.
In fact, the NFL head of officiating Dean Blandino says that the roughing passer flag that was thrown, was the wrong call.
"Because the quarterback has an option, he's considered a runner until he either clearly doesn't have the football or he re-establishes himself as a passer," Blandino said Monday. "So it's not a foul by rule. It's something that we'll make sure that we cover with our game officials because the defensive end coming off the edge, he doesn't know if the quarterback is going to keep it, he doesn't know if he's going to take off and run or drop back and so we treat the quarterback in that instance as a runner until he clearly re-establishes as a passer or he clearly doesn't have the football.
"So again, referee felt it was late," Blandino continued. "Well clarify that and make sure everyone is on the same page."
Here is a screen shot of Bradford's handoff. You be the judge, if the hit was late or not.
