{"id":53200,"date":"2022-08-22T21:49:48","date_gmt":"2022-08-22T21:49:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/was-the-block-by-thaddeus-moss-that-injured-kayvon-thibodeaux-legal-or-dirty\/"},"modified":"2022-08-22T21:49:48","modified_gmt":"2022-08-22T21:49:48","slug":"was-the-block-by-thaddeus-moss-that-injured-kayvon-thibodeaux-legal-or-dirty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/was-the-block-by-thaddeus-moss-that-injured-kayvon-thibodeaux-legal-or-dirty\/","title":{"rendered":"Was the block by Thaddeus Moss that injured Kayvon Thibodeaux legal or dirty?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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During Sunday’s preseason game between the Giants and Bengals, Cincinnati tight end Thaddeus Moss delivered a low block to New York rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux in the second quarter. While Thibodeaux appears to have avoided a major injury, the hit knocked the <\/span>pass rusher out of the game. Thibodeaux was later diagnosed with a sprained MCL and will be out for three to four weeks, according to multiple reports. <\/span><\/p>\n

Following Sunday’s game, first-year Giants coach Brian Daboll said the hit, also known as a cut block, was legal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s the rules. They allow it. We do it as well,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

The NFL’s rulebook prohibits blocks below the waist with a few exceptions, including: \u201cBy players of either team during a scrimmage down prior to a change of possession unless the contact occurs in the tight end box.\u201d The tight end box is defined as the area 2 yards outside of the normal tackle position and extends 5 yards on either side of the line of scrimmage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, the play sparked controversy<\/a> among players, analysts and fans alike. <\/span><\/p>\n

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penalty
Hefty Fine.
suspension <\/p>\n

Nothing less is acceptable. pic.twitter.com\/aZulgjrQyF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rich Eisen (@richeisen) August 22, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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I went a double checked. still a legal block below the waste by current NFL rules. It’s a tool in his belt. just an unfortunate play that thankfully didn’t have a catastrophic result. we don’t have to turn the TE into the Joker tho<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) August 22, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

But was the block that injured the rookie a dirty play? <\/span>The Athletic’s <\/span><\/i>staff explains below:<\/span><\/p>\n

Was the play dirty?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jay Morrison, Bengals writer<\/em>: No, but the treatment of Moss was, thanks to a few knee-jerk tweets. The rule is clearly written and allows for cut blocks in the tackle box, and numerous former and current players have clapped back at those labeling it as \u201cdirty\u201d or \u201ccowardly.\u201d<\/p>\n

It’s also important to note that Moss had two holding penalties last week that cost the team a 63-yard run and a 7-yard touchdown. Both were instances of him maintaining contact a little too long on the edge. There were conversations last week about using specific techniques in executing blocks, so to think Moss was out there going rogue and jeopardizing his already long shot of making the 53-man roster with a cheap shot doesn’t make any sense.<\/p>\n

Dan Duggan, Giants writer<\/em>: No, it wasn’t a dirty play. It was a legal block and it’s one that the Giants’ tight ends execute as well. In fact, Daniel Bellinger made a similar block against a Patriots defender in the Giants’ first preseason game. It’s unfortunate that Thibodeaux was injured, but there was nothing dirty about the block, which he will see regularly during the season.<\/p>\n

What do the Giants think of the play?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Duggan<\/em>: The Giants obviously weren’t happy that Thibodeaux got injured. Defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence said he did n’t like to see a teammate’s legs taken out on a block, but he acknowledged that it’s part of the game. Daboll noted that the Giants teach their tight ends the same type of block because it’s legal.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot to do a good job of playing it,\u201d Daboll said. \u201cIt’s a tough block. But whatever the rules are, those are the rules.\u201d<\/p>\n

Is there an expectation that Moss may be disciplined for the play?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Morrison<\/em>: While it’s not out of the question for a player to be fined on a play that wasn’t flagged, that won’t be the case here as he did not violate any rule. You can argue the ethicality of making cut blocks in the preseason all you want, but it doesn’t rise to the level of discipline.<\/p>\n

Will the rule be looked at?<\/h2>\n
Duggan<\/em>: There are no indications that there will be an immediate review of the rule. It’s possible that it could be examined in the offseason, especially if that type of block results in more high-profile injuries. But with the NFL making such a concerted effort to limit head injuries, it’s hard to imagine the league also adding rules that prevent low blocks, as well.<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

(Photo: Vincent Carchietta \/ USA Today)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n