A recent article by ESPN’s Kevin Van Valkenburg chronicles the story of a baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the Houston Astros. After the game, an Astros player was quoted as saying that he felt like “the worst call I’ve ever been a part of” after being called out at home plate.
The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off a humiliating defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2.
Despite a dominating performance versus Atlanta to open the 2021 NFL season, this year’s new-look Eagles team struggled in Week 2. Jalen Hurts only completed half of his throws, first-year head coach Nick Sirianni described the game as “disappointing,” and the defense failed to make stops when it counted most.
Against San Francisco, the Philadelphia Eagles lacked discipline.
The #Eagles committed needless roughness penalties on CONSECUTIVE PLAYS in the fourth quarter, allowing the Niners to score the game-winning field goal. K’Von Wallace headshots Trey Sermon on the play after Derek Barnett’s stupid dead-ball cheap shot. pic.twitter.com/1kcY58XEsk
September 20, 2021 — Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch)
The amount of penalties committed in the Eagles’ Week 2 defeat was another cause for worry. Philadelphia had eight penalties to the 49ers’ six, resulting in a 57-yard gain for the Eagles. With four penalties, the Eagles also gave up a first down to the 49ers.
One of the most egregious infractions occurred in the fourth quarter. K’Von Wallace, a second-year defensive back, dropped his head unnecessarily and fired a cheap helmet-to-helmet shot at 49ers running back Trey Sermon.
Due of the unlawful strike, the sermon stumbled. Due to Wallace’s unwarranted roughness, the turnover was called back. The 49ers kept control of the ball and eventually scored a game-winning field goal.
Wallace made a blunder with this choice in the end. The NFL has made it plain that leading with the helmet is a certain way to be flagged. This penalty not only gave the 49ers an additional three points, but it also knocked the wind out of the Eagles’ sails for the remainder of the game.
The punishment, according to K’Von Wallace, is the fault of the officials.
The K’Von Wallace penalty that negated the Eagles’ fumble recovery “sucked the air out” of Fletcher Cox. I didn’t agree with the decision.
September 19, 2021 — Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton)
A costly penalty from a young player is the ideal opportunity for a learning opportunity. Wallace, on the other hand, seems to have no willingness to accept responsibility for his actions.
Wallace thinks the officials made a poor decision, according to his personal Instagram account:
“I can’t believe this is the worst call I’ve ever been a part of. Wallace expresses his astonishment by saying, “I’m literally in disbelief.”
Wallace is justifiably enraged, as his penalty effectively sealed the Niners’ victory. Taking his rage out on the officials, on the other hand, makes no sense. It was clearly a penalty, and the officials correctly enforced it. Both players may suffer severe head and neck injuries if they lead with the helmet.
Wallace’s mini-rant should be brought to the attention of the Eagles’ youthful coaching staff, who should convey to him the significance of accepting responsibility for one’s conduct. The Eagles battled with penalties all day against San Francisco, as previously mentioned. This is far from a one-off occurrence.
Moving ahead, the Philadelphia Eagles must correct their errors.
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images/K’Von Wallace
The Eagles will be rebuilding in 2021. That does not, however, make reckless football acceptable. In addition to committing an excessive number of penalties in Week 2, both the offense and defense performed sloppily.
Hurts attempted a couple passes that were intercepted by double coverage. On the offensive line, there were a few missed blocks. Coverages were blown by the secondary.
Even if the Eagles’ ultimate objective in 2021 is to contend for a top draft selection once again, you’d want to see a feeling of progress and improvement every Sunday.
You don’t want to see young athletes blaming the officials for their own personal failings. That is not the way to create a winning culture.
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