Opponents of the league’s new rules of emphasis regarding bringing the quarterback down this season have championed the comments of player regarding the subject. They have been particularly quick to jump on any remark that indicated a player changing what he might ordinarily have done on a play that he ended up not making because he was giving consideration to avoiding a penalty.
The latest example of that was when Kansas City Chiefs rookie linebacker Breeland Speaks said after his team lost to the New England Patriots that he was worried about possibly committing an infraction when he failed to bring down quarterback Tom Brady, who would then scramble for a four-yard touchdown.