Big Cat Country
In an interesting series of events, the Jacksonville Jaguars received a bit of unexpected news on Saturday when the league released its weekly Accountability Report, which lists all fines levied each week for all NFL matchups. Only one fine was listed from the Los Angeles Chargers matchup to the Jaguars, and it wasn’t applied to a Jacksonville player. Chargers Linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips was fined $11,160 for his fourth-quarter facemask on Jacksonville running back LeQuint Allen, during the Jaguars’ fourth-and-one conversion with under three minutes remaining in the game.
On a more surprising note, Jaguars rookie undrafted free agent defensive end BJ Green II avoided a fine by the NFL for his hit on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. Many around the league expected Green to be fined the league standard for roughing the quarterback penalty of $17,389 for the hard second-quarter hit, which resulted in a flag for Unnecessary Roughness, putting the Chargers’ quarterback in the blue medical tent temporarily before halftime.
Green bowled over Los Angeles right tackle Trey Pipkins, sacked Herbert, while seemingly keeping his body weight to the side, attempting to avoid driving the quarterback into the ground. Nevertheless, the controversial play was penalized, negating Green’s first career sack, to the ire of Jacksonville fans and even former NFL Defensive Player of the Year (and Houston Texan) defensive end J.J. Watt.
While Chargers fans will undoubtedly be furious that the league didn’t fine Green, they made the right call here in refusing any additional punishment. Unfortunately, Green will still not receive credit for the negated sack. However, with Travon Walker ruled out for Sunday’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, BJ will likely have additional opportunities to make up for this lost opportunity.
What are your thoughts on the Green avoiding a league fine, but also missing out on an iconic first career sack? Let us know in the comments!
