Dez almost costs the Cowboys the game?

[Kevinicus]

Should have been a penalty. Love Dez's passion but he needs to be smart.

For what? You can say should have been all day, but if there's no rule to back it up, then you're just wrong.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

He did break the rule(not the helmet removal rule), but the one that states you can't enter the field if you're not a substitute, trainer, etc., even between plays.

However, guys constantly break that rule and it doesn't get called unless they're in an officials face making trouble or whatever.

If the Lions wanted to win, they needed to not let the Cowboys convert on 4th and 6, score a TD, then force 2 fumbles from their QB, not get a free ticky tack 15 yard penalty.

 

[JD_KaPow]

He did break the rule(not the helmet removal rule), but the one that states you can't enter the field if you're not a substitute, trainer, etc., even between plays.

However, guys constantly break that rule and it doesn't get called unless they're in an officials face making trouble or whatever.

If the Lions wanted to win, they needed to not let the Cowboys convert on 4th and 6, score a TD, then force 2 fumbles from their QB, not get a free ticky tack 15 yard penalty.

Forget all that stuff. If the Lions wanted to win, all they had to do was go for it on 4th-and-1 on the very next play.

 

[Rogah]

Saw this on ESPN:

On the Hitchens (non) pass interference call Dez ran out onto the field to protest the call. He was not wearing a helmet. Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(j) prohibits "removal of a helmet by a player in the field of play or the end zone during a celebration or demonstration or during a confrontation with a game official or any other player."

I did notice Dez run out there and for a split second I <did> worry about exactly that.

Anybody else worry about that at that moment?

That rule clearly applies to players involved in the play itself. Don't get me wrong; unsportsmanlike conduct is 100% a judgment call on the part of the referee so there could have been one thrown there, but not for anything that had to do with removal of his helmet or the fact he wasn't wearing one in the first place.

I honestly believe the refs just saw Bryant as part of the overall background noise of disapproval coming from the Cowboys sideline (not to mention the fans) when they threw that flag.

 

[links18]

Well, the NFL head of officiating is supposed to be on NFL Network tonight at 7EST to discuss whether or not Dez should have been flagged. So I guess we will get some clarity on this.

Once again, I dont know the rule, but there is nothing that says Dez cant play defense or special teams, so I can't see how the refs can differentiate between someone who might be a substitute for the next play and one who is entering the field to act in an unsportsmanlike way. I don't think its unsportsmanlike to plead a case with the refs per se. He didn't contact a ref, he didn't even appear that animated.

Should he have stayed on the sideline? Yes. Was it a penalty under the rules? I am not convinced yet.

 

[MRV52]

Everyone is crying about Dez coming on the field with no helmet. This happens in most games where coaches, players, trainers, and who ever else is on the sideline come on the field during a game. Refs usually worn them to get off but very rarely do you see a flag thrown. It is not the same as Dez being on offense and removing his helmet in the field of play.

 

[Rogah]

Once again, I dont know the rule, but there is nothing that says Dez cant play defense or special teams, so I can't see how the refs can differentiate between someone who might be a substitute for the next play and one who is entering the field to act in an unsportsmanlike way. I don't think its unsportsmanlike to plead a case with the refs per se. He didn't contact a ref, he didn't even appear that animated.

Stop it. You're sounding like Philly fans. Anyone with an ounce of common sense can differentiate between a player coming on the field for the next play compared to a player coming on the field to argue a perceived bad call.

I have no problem with the statement that he didn't deserve a penalty but to sit there and say the refs can't tell who is coming on the field as a defensive substitute versus who is coming on the field to argue is asinine.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Saw this on ESPN:

On the Hitchens (non) pass interference call Dez ran out onto the field to protest the call. He was not wearing a helmet. Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(j) prohibits "removal of a helmet by a player in the field of play or the end zone during a celebration or demonstration or during a confrontation with a game official or any other player."

I did notice Dez run out there and for a split second I <did> worry about exactly that.

Anybody else worry about that at that moment?

Nope.

Because read the rule.

It prohibits the removal of the helmet during this time.

Meaning the player has to have been on the field during the play and removed the helmet while out there for it to be a breaking of the rule.

Since he was on the sideline, and walked onto the field, he did not break the rule. That's why it wasn't called because there was nothing to call.

 

[links18]

Stop it. You're sounding like Philly fans. Anyone with an ounce of common sense can differentiate between a player coming on the field for the next play compared to a player coming on the field to argue a perceived bad call.

I have no problem with the statement that he didn't deserve a penalty but to sit there and say the refs can't tell who is coming on the field as a defensive substitute versus who is coming on the field to argue is asinine.

I'll stop when you show me the rule.

 

[perrykemp]

I'll stop when you show me the rule.

There is no rule for if Dez ran out into the middle field in-between plays, did a dance, and hopped back to the sideline.

There is no rule that says that 11 guys on the bench can't run out onto the field and and build a human pyramid on the 50 yard line in between plays either.

That's why referees are given a certain amount of leeway on calling unsportsmanlike penalties. You can't have a rule for every stupid thing that might happen on the field.

 

[sideon]

Jesse Holley said officials will give players a warning and give them a short window to get off the field.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Dez said a few words and seemed to back up towards the sidelines right after.

It dawned on him he could have cost the team 15 yards.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

The Ref on Mike and Mike explained it. The player is asked to leave the field immediately. Dez did. End of story. They don't want to call that.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Dez said a few words and seemed to back up towards the sidelines right after.

The ref told him, "we got this" then proceeded to wink. Look for it.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Show me a rule that limits the number of players on the field during a dead ball situation. I am not saying it doesn't exist, but I haven't found it.

You have been watching football long enough to know players are number one NOT supposed to argue with refs, that's the coaches job.
Two not charge the field to make such argument. Captains can discus issues with refs not just any player.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Saw this on ESPN:

On the Hitchens (non) pass interference call Dez ran out onto the field to protest the call. He was not wearing a helmet. Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(j) prohibits "removal of a helmet by a player in the field of play or the end zone during a celebration or demonstration or during a confrontation with a game official or any other player."

I did notice Dez run out there and for a split second I <did> worry about exactly that.

Anybody else worry about that at that moment?

Well...he did not remove his helmet....it was already off before he came onto the field.

 

[perrykemp]

The ref told him, "we got this" then proceeded to wink. Look for it.

I believe you.

Having said that would you have been surprised if had thrown the flag?

Why take the risk?

Let's calling it a teaching moment and move on.

 

[zeroburrito]

not a penalty.

didn't play defense on that snap and never removed his helmet in the first place.

 

[Rogah]

I'll stop when you show me the rule.

NFL Rule Book Rule 12 (Player Conduct), Section 3 (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), Article 1 (Prohibited acts): "There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct. This applies to any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship."

Let's face it. This establishes that referees can pretty much call anything that they want to and it is 100% an judgment call. As perrykemp said in the post above mine, there is nothing in the rulebook that say you can't send 11 men onto the field and build a human pyramid.

I think it is fair to say he should have been penalized. I also think it is fair to say he should not have been penalized. However, I think it is pretty silly to say a referee cannot tell the difference between a player coming on the field to argue a call and a player coming on the field as a substitute for the next play.

 

[Danger]

The ref told him, "we got this" then proceeded to wink. Look for it.

Really? Do you have a video?