The NFL’s vice president of officiating clarified the ruling made in Sunday’s Patriots-Chargers game when Patriots cornerback Brandon Browner was penalized for his hit on Ladarius Green.
Dean Blandino said in his weekly video segment on officiating that Browner was given an unneccessary roughness penalty because he made contact with Green’s facemask, although it was not a helmet to helmet hit.
“This is close, it’s a forceable hit,” Blandino said. “Browner actually does a good job trying to lead with the shoulder and get his head to the side.”
Browner took issue with the 15-yard penalty during Sunday’s 23-14 victory over the Chargers, and called for the NFL to review the play. He leveled Green as the Chargers tight end was bobbling the ball, and safety Devin McCourty caught the ball and returned it for a touchdown, but the penalty negated the touchdown.
“It cost us six points. I targeted his chest,” Browner said. “Hopefully I don’t get fined.”
This type of penalty is not reviewable, Blandino said, although he anticipates that will change. The NFL discussed making it reviewable last year, he said, and the penalty is on the agenda again next year.
“At full speed it’s tough to make these calls,” he said. “But when you slow it down you can discern between contact to the head and contact to the shoulder.”
Katherine Landergan can be reached at katherine.landergan1@gmail.com.