On Tuesday morning, Bill Belichick defended the helmet-to-helmet hit that took out Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Patriots.
The hit, which was doled out by New England cornerback Jonathan Jones while safety Duron Harmon was also making contact, sent Allen to the sideline with a concussion. He is still in the league’s protocol.
Speaking on the Ordway, Merloni & Fauria show on WEEI in Boston, Belichick said Jones was doing what he’d been told to do during the play. “Jon did what we’ve coached him to do. If that’s a foul we’ll have to coach him differently,” Belichick said. In Belichick’s eyes, it was Allen, not Jones, who lowered his head and created the helmet-to-helmet contact.
Jones was flagged on the play but thanks to an offsetting Buffalo infraction, the penalty was not enforced.
Here's the hit on Josh Allen.pic.twitter.com/J9HCYhM9Pp
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 29, 2019
“I think when a player, when there isn’t really much you can tell him to do differently, then I think you don’t tell him anything,” Belichick said on a conference call Monday. “I mean, Allen’s a big runner, he’s a strong guy, he’s hard to tackle. He certainly broke several tackles against us. Jon turned when he hit him. He didn’t lead with his head. He didn’t have that posture. Ultimately the decision rests with (NFL Senior Vice President) Al Riveron, the game officials and the NFL office on that play. Really doesn’t matter what you think or what I think or what anybody else thinks. They are the ones who are officiating the play. We’ll coach it within the rules that…as the rules are interpreted.”
At this point, it seems Jones will not be suspended but he could still face a fine.
The Bills, who lost the game 16-10, obviously feel differently.
#Bills head coach Sean McDermott says he thinks Jonathan Jones should have been ejected after that hit on Josh Allen in the 4th quarter. @WGRZ #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/SlSHdK4AXQ
— Heather Prusak (@haprusak) September 29, 2019
In a related story, Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been hit with a season-long suspension for his illegal headshot on Indianapolis tight end Jack Doyle.
Vontaze Burfict was ejected for this hit on Jack Doyle pic.twitter.com/vFply5QOKN
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) September 29, 2019
A repeat offender who has previously been suspended twice for illegal hits, Burfict is expected to appeal the suspension.
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