Andy Reid thinks that ‘every bone in Patrick Mahomes’ body cracked’ on a controversial play that instantly sparked debate.
Mahomes was hit by Dolphins defensive lineman Chop Robinson as he released the ball in Sunday’s Kansas City Chiefs win in Miami.
Robinson ultimately fell on top of Mahomes with his full body weight, prompting a flag for roughing a passer who happens to be playing on a surgically repaired knee after tearing his ACL and MCL in December.
Many questioned the penalty, suggesting Mahomes gets preferential treatment and questioning what Robinson was supposed to do in that scenario given the way the play unfolded.
Chiefs head coach Reid said ‘I think it was more than a chiropractor could do’ in reaction to the hit.
I think ‘every bone in his body cracked on that one,’ he added. ‘But he got back up and kept firing.’
Andy Reid was relieved to see Patrick Mahomes jump up unharmed against the Miami Dolphins
Mahomes was hit by Chop Robinson, who landed on the quarterback as they fell to the turf
Having been relieved that Mahomes did not suffer injury, Reid explained his view on penalties for that and similar incidents.
‘When they call them for us, I’m okay with it,’ he insisted. ‘Listen, the thing with the quarterbacks is it’s a very vulnerable position. It’s also a position that everybody wants to see that quarterback play in the game.
‘It attracts attention to the game. Attention is good for everybody as it works its way through there for you guys, for the coaches, for the fans, for the players, the different teams. So, you want to try to keep these guys as upright as you possibly can.’
Robinson, on the other hand, felt there was not much else he could have done to avoid the flag.
‘I’m honestly not too sure, but either way, that’s what they called, so that’s what we got to play on. Next play,’ Robinson said.
‘Just put my hands out earlier, but it’s a football play. That’s what the refs called, so I had to move on from it.
‘That’s what I could do better on that play, but that’s what they called, and that’s what it is.’
Robinson was then asked if he is able to practice hitting quarterbacks without landing on them.
Robinson could not believe it when the penalty flag was thrown for roughing the passer
The penalty proved costly as it kept the Chiefs’ drive alive instead of forcing them to punt
‘I don’t know, that’s a hard question,’ he replied. ‘When you can’t really work it, you can’t hit a quarterback in practice.
‘But I did what I was taught and told to do, and that’s what they called, so that’s what it is.’
It proved a costly penalty for Miami after Mahomes’ pass from his own end zone fell incomplete on third down.
Instead of the Chiefs having to punt while leading 14-10 in the third quarter, the drive was kept alive by a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down and ended in a field goal.
‘Of course we wanted to keep them in the end zone, but again, that’s what they called. There’s nothing I could do about it, just play the next play, and just try to stop them, get the ball back to the offense,’ Robinson said.
