Falcons coach Dan Quinn exploded on the sideline late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks in reaction to the lack of a flag on Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman for interfering with Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones on a fourth down pass down the middle of the field, but the team’s postgame responses were more measured.
Quinn passed on making a comment “regarding the foul or not” when he spoke to reporters after the game and quarterback Matt Ryan praised Jones for trying to make a play while saying he hadn’t seen a replay. If he had, he likely would have joined Jones in saying that it should have been a penalty although Jones said his mind is already on what’s next for the team.
“I do [think it was a penalty],” Jones said, via ESPN.com. “Before I took off, [Sherman] grabbed my right side and spun me around before I jumped up. But it was just a missed call. It’s over with. It’s done. We’re on to the next right now. ... If they make the call, they make the call. If they don’t, they don’t. That’s not me to coach them up on officiating the game. The only thing I can do is go out there and do my job.”
A review of the play by the league has a good chance of leading to a shrug of the shoulders in the form of a letter to the Falcons informing them that a penalty should have been called, which probably won’t be of much comfort after seeing their rally back from 17-3 down end in such fashion. The Falcons will hope for better things when the Chargers come for a visit in Week Seven and a win will help keep the Falcons pointed toward a possible postseason rematch with Seattle.