A day after basically accusing the Patriots of dishonest throughout Sunday’s 24-23 loss, Falcons coach Raheem Morris reviewed the tape and put the blame on his personal group, clarifying earlier post-game remarks.
Morris had implied New England illegally simulated the Falcons’ snap depend on a key drive that got here late within the fourth quarter with Atlanta trailing by some extent. Close to midfield dealing with second down, middle Ryan Neuzil despatched a snap towards quarterback Michael Penix Jr. that he wasn’t ready to obtain, leading to an intentional grounding below duress.
Morris beforehand mentioned the Patriots confused Neural by simulating Atlanta’s snap depend.
“This was our gamers telling us they simulated the snap on the market,” Morris mentioned Monday after assessment. “They heard one thing and clearly they did, that is why he snapped it. This was no intent that they did something unsuitable, there was no intent that these guys did something unsuitable. We’re simply telling you guys what occurred. I used to be requested why the ball was snapped early. It was snapped early for our fault.
“It was on us. We won’t snap the ball early it doesn’t matter what anyone does. It is gotta be extra about us. That was simply me being offended yesterday. Any individual requested me what occurred, I used to be simply being trustworthy with you guys. I do not wish to make it a Snapgate, which I most likely already did.”
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged the post-game remarks from Morris on Monday, saying he “actually did not suppose that was something we did” within the last moments.
Vrabel mentioned he would not waste time on the lookout for anybody clapping pre-snap.
“We have by no means coached that or talked about that. I am unable to spend that a lot time targeted on it,” Vrabel mentioned Sunday. “Did have a look at it briefly, actually did not suppose that was something that we did. It was fairly loud, guys are attempting to get lined up, and I am glad we took off after they snapped the ball.”
Vrabel known as Morris’ preliminary declare a “waste of time” earlier than transferring on to additional questions.
Disconcerting indicators are unlawful within the NFL and lead to a 15-yard penalty. And if officers would’ve deemed New England’s “clapping” as simulating a snap, the Falcons would’ve had a recent set of downs on the Patriots’ 33-yard line, trailing 24-23.
“They have been clapping. Simulated our snap, obtained us to snap the ball,” Morris mentioned after the sport. “That is why the ball was snapped early to [Penix], and he wasn’t prepared for the snap.”
Video replay earlier than the snap would not present any of New England’s 9 defenders close to the road of scrimmage clapping earlier than speeding 4 on the play.
Penix mentioned after the sport his middle heard clapping.
“Supposedly they have been clapping,” Penix mentioned. “For us, each time I am clapping, which means I would like the ball. I knew [Neuzil] mentioned he heard them clapping, and he thought it was my clap, and he snapped the ball. I threw the ball in [Kyle Pitts’] course. He had simply launched on a route. I assumed I used to be going to be okay with the grounding half. Clearly that wasn’t the case.”
