His 1000 yard season may have been the cost
One week ago, we discussed Jauan Jennings’s fine for excessive blocking. This week, we are discussing Jennings and excessive blocking, but we are also discussing how he wasn’t fined this time around.
The NFL did not fine Jennings for unnecessary roughness on Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting. Murphy-Bunting was fined $11,817.
The incident was another example of excessive blocking. Jennings got tangled up with Murphy-Bunting, who appeared more animated in the exchange. Following the penalty, both players were ejected.
While there’s no monetary fine, Jennings still had a price to pay: the cost of a 1,000-yard season. Jennings was 25 yards shy of hitting the milestone—what would have been the first of his career.
The lack of a fine indicates that something egregious occurred at some point in the decision-making process. While a roughness penalty may have been adequate, ejecting Jennings may have been incorrect.
In any case, Jennings will have to live with 975 yards, and the NFL will continue to refuse to stop a game when things get chippy to eject the correct players. You know, that whole “get it right” thing.