The NFL has been under heavy scrutiny this season over its handling of roughing the passer penalties. And even though personal fouls against the quarterback are "significantly down," according to NFL executive Troy Vincent, there have been several highly controversial flags thrown on plays involving quarterbacks this season.
With the league emphasizing quarterback protection, players at other positions, including Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, are wondering if they can get the same protection from the NFL.
Parsons went to Twitter to complain about Jaguars offensive lineman Luke Fortner jumping on his neck after he recovered a fumble late in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys 40-34 overtime loss to Jacksonville.
The play in question should have resulted in a 15-yard personal foul penalty assessed against Fortner, but it went uncalled.
Vincent said at the league meeting in North Texas last week that there will be a "healthy discussion" in the offseason about making roughing the passer fouls, among others, reviewable -- whether via a coaches' challenge or a league review.
"The officials have been very consistent and accurate, but they are human," Vincent said, via the league's website. "That will be a healthy discussion [in] the offseason with the competition committee. ... I'll be looking forward to this discussion."
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