Tag: Thaddeus Moss

Should the NFL ban the block that injured Kayvon Thibodeaux and T.J. Watt?

Should the sift block that injured T.J. Watt and Kayvon Thibodeaux be legal? Maybe it’s time for the NFL to change the rules.

With 11:45 left in the second quarter of the Detroit Lions’ Sunday afternoon preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit quarterback David Blough handed off to running back Jamar Jefferson on what turned out to be a relatively inconsequential one-yard gain.

At least, it was inconsequential for the Lions. For the Steelers, not so much. As you can see, Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson crossed the formation from left to right and laid a low block on Steelers edge-rusher T.J. Watt.

Here’s another, better view.

Hockenson appeared to be aiming for Watt’s knees on the block, which you would think is an illegal play. But it isn’t. Hockenson wasn’t flagged for the play, which is correct under the league’s current rule book. Watt was helped from the field with what was called a left knee injury, though reports indicate that the injury isn’t too serious.

The debate over such blocks ran hot last Sunday, when Cleveland Browns tight end (and son of Randy Moss) Thaddeus Moss crossed the formation to make a very similar block against New York Giants pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. Moss was not flagged for the block either, because the block isn’t illegal.

Thibodeaux wasn’t as fortunate — he suffered a sprained MCL, and may or may not be ready for the Giants’ regular-season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 11.

The larger question, of course, is: Why is a block in which an offense player can target a vulnerable part of a defensive player’s body legal in the first place? In May, 2021, the NFL expanded the low block rules, but the book still doesn’t cover what are known as “sift blocks.”

After the Moss/Thibodeaux play, several former NFL offensive linemen, and current offensive line experts, explained why the play isn’t as “dirty” as it may look.

“They dragged the tight end across the formation, and everybody runs this play,” former offensive lineman Brian Baldinger said on the NFL Network. “They seal the backside with the tight end, and almost every tight end goes low. They can’t stay up and take on these defensive ends. They go to cut-block, which is legal, okay? It’s really up to Kayvon here to just drop his shoulder on it, and it went below his shoulder. It’s kind up to Kayvon to protect himself a little better, because that’s how these tight ends are going to block him in this league.”

So, we know that the play isn’t dirty or illegal by the letter of the NFL’s current rulebook. But should it be illegal? Given the league’s supposed emphasis on player safety (which can be viewed historically with as much cynicism as you’d like), is it really wise to leave a block that forces the defender to adjust to that degree out of the book as a banned strategy?

One thing we know for sure — the more marquee players that get hurt by this block, the more the generally reactive NFL rulemakers will step in and do something about it.

Thaddeus Moss not expected to be punished for low block on Kayvon Thibodeaux

Thad Moss isn’t expected to see a fine for the controversial block.

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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Thaddeus Moss created an uproar during his team’s second preseason game against the New York Giants.

By now, most fans probably know about the massive outbreak of opinions and analysis after Moss went low for a block on Kayvon Thibodeaux. That resulted in an injury for the high-profile rookie and he’ll miss two or more weeks with a sprain.

But what fans probably noticed about that uproar was former and even a handful of current players saying it was a totally legal play. Giants coaches after the game even agreed that indeed, they coach their own guys to do that.

So it should come as no shock to hear that according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, there’s no expected punishment coming Moss’ way:

Granted, we can debate all day whether the league should modify the current rules to better protect defenders, too. But given that this is the game they play right now, Moss shouldn’t see any fine letters.

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Giants reportedly hopeful Kayvon Thibodeaux is ready for opener after suffering knee injury on low block

Thibodeaux has the second-shortest odds for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

New York Giants rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux could be ready in time for the team’s season opener after suffering a scary injury in Sunday’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Initial tests on his knee revealed an MCL sprain, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

The injury happened when Bengals tight end Thaddeus Moss went low to block Thibodeaux on a play some are labeling dirty (more on that in a second). Thibodeaux’s knee appeared to bend in a way it shouldn’t, and the fifth overall pick remained on the ground after the play.

However, Thibodeaux eventually walked off the field on his own to visit the team’s medical tent, declining to ride a cart. He also walked around the team’s sideline without a significant limp. After the game he told reporters he was good.

According to Schefter, Thibodeaux will miss three to four weeks. The early side of that timeline places his return right around the team’s Sept. 11 opener in Tennessee.

That’s good news for bettors of Thibodeaux to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. His odds remain the second-shortest behind Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson, though they have lengthened in recent weeks. Once tied with Hutchinson at +450, Thibodeaux has since moved to +700 at Tipico Sportsbook. Hutchinson is at +425.

Now, was the play dirty, as some have called it?

The block warrants some scrutiny after a closer look shows Moss intentionally went for the knees. But it was a legal play, as Giants coach Brian Daboll pointed out after the game. So I would stop short of calling it dirty. You hate to see it happen in preseason action, but when guys are competing for roster spots, they don’t have time to worry about injuries.

Luckily for Thibodeaux and the Giants, it doesn’t appear the play will result in significant time away.

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Thaddeus Moss’ block on Kayvon Thibodeaux sparked outrage

Thaddeus Moss’ block on Kayvon Thibodeaux created a huge debate.

A routine preseason game between the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants created some chaos on Sunday night.

Bengals tight end Thaddeus Moss went low to block fifth-overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux and seemingly injured the defender.

Thibodeaux eventually ran past the cart despite appearing to be in major pain, then emerged from the blue medical tent and was declared out.

From the moment the hit happened, debate raged as to whether Moss committed a dirty play or one very much within the rules. Our experts say it’s the latter, but here’s a sampling of the unexpected outburst of drama on football social media to an occurrence in a preseason game.

Why Thaddeus Moss’ block on Kayvon Thibodeaux wasn’t ‘dirty’ or against the rules

Thaddeus Moss’ block on Kayvon Thibodeaux had most people thinking that Moss violated NFL rules. As it turns out, Moss did not.

The New York Giants had a hearts-in-their-throats moment in their Sunday night preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals when Bengals tight end (and son of Randy Moss) Thaddeus Moss crossed the formation and executed a low block on first-round edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. The rookie was helped off the field by Giants personnel and returned to the sideline in good spirits. Per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, initial reports indicate that Thibodeaux’s injury is not thought to be as serious as it looked.

Here’s how it looked.

Moss looked to go for Thibodeaux’s ankle, which had a lot of people thinking that this should have been a penalty.

“They dragged the tight end across the formation, and everybody runs this play,” former offensive lineman Brian Baldinger said on the NFL Network. “They seal the backside with the tight end, and almost every tight end goes low. They can’t stay up and take on these defensive ends. They go to cut-block, which is legal, okay? It’s really up to Kayvon here to just drop his shoulder on it, and it went below his shoulder. It’s kind up to Kayvon to protect himself a little better, because that’s how these tight ends are going to block him in this league.”

Former cornerback DeAngelo Hall, on the NFL Network set with Baldinger and Colleen Wolfe, agreed.

“Absolutely, Baldy. That’s one of those sift-back blocks, and… in the NFL, we see it a lot. Maybe in the college game, you don’t see it as much. So, fr Kayvon Thibodeaux, these are some of those reps we talk about. It just gives him that game-time experience. He either has to get lower, or you see those defensive linemen give a little ground with their hands, and push away. That’s going to be a coaching moment for him.”

Other blocking experts agreed — Moss wasn’t trying to be dirty; he blocked the way he had been instructed to.

So, while it looked really bad, and we certainly hope Thibodeaux will be 100%, Moss did nothing wrong by the letter of the rules, and it’s Thibodeaux who will undoubtedly learn from this.

Bengals’ Thaddeus Moss suffered injury before blowout win over Steelers

Thaddeus Moss suffered a setback after getting called up to the main roster.

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The Cincinnati Bengals turned some heads by promoting tight end Thaddeus Moss to the active roster from the practice squad for the team’s Week 12 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

But Moss was one of the very few active players who didn’t get to play a snap during the 41-10 shellacking.

Turns out Moss suffered a hamstring injury while warming up for his pro debut, which Bengals head coach Zac Taylor says would’ve certainly featured him getting some snaps.

Instead, Moss faces an injury that will hold him out for at least the team’s next game, a Week 13 date with the Los Angeles Chargers, per Taylor.

A fan favorite thanks to his LSU days with Joe Burrow, Moss reverted back to the practice squad on the Monday after the game. The team clearly likes his development and wants to get him involved as he progresses, so this minor setback probably won’t be the last fans hear of him.

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Thaddeus Moss elevated to Cincinnati Bengals active roster

Joe Burrow gets a familiar weapon for the Pittsburgh game.

Former LSU Tigers Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase will have a familiar face on the field with them this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals announced they will elevate the former Tigers’ tight end, Thaddeus Moss, to the active roster.

Per a press release from the Bengals

The Bengals today elevated TE Thaddus Moss from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (standard elevation).

As a practice squad player being elevated to the active roster for the game, Moss automatically will revert to the practice squad on Monday.

Moss joined the Cincinnati Bengals roster in the offseason after one season with the Washington Football Team. Cincinnati claimed Moss off waivers from Washington in April of 2021. He never played a down with Washington after being put on the injured reserve during the 2020 season.

As a member of the 2019 CFP national championship team, Moss caught 47 passes for 570 yards and four touchdowns. He was also a key in the run game as an inline blocker, giving Clyde Edwards-Helaire plenty of room during that perfect 15-0 season.

Burrow was key in bringing Moss to Cincinnati to join him and Chase on the roster.

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Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PatrickConnCFB

Bengals send Thad Moss to IR, make roster moves and inactive list for TNF

Some quick roster notes for the Bengals before TNF.

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The Cincinnati Bengals made a few roster moves worth noting before Thursday night’s primetime game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

First up, the team moved fan-favorite tight end Thaddeus Moss to injured reserve, citing a neck injury, which means he’ll be eligible to return to practice after three games. A notable cut at the final 53-deadline, Moss was a big reason Joe Burrow got back to being himself this summer.

The Bengals also elevated safety Trayvon Henderson from the practice squad to the main roster in response to star safety Jessie Bates missing the game.

Cincinnati made the following players inactive for the game:

  • CB Chidobe Awuzie
  • S Jessie Bates
  • DT Tyler Shelvin
  • WR Tee Higgins
  • G Xavier Su’a-Filo
  • OT Fred Johnson

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With NFL cutting down rosters, several former LSU Tigers were released

The list of former LSU Tigers who were waived on Tuesday’s roster cutdown day.

One of the worst days of the NFL calendar for a lot of players hoping to realize their dreams of playing in the league. Teams had to cut down their roster to 53 players. With over 30 cuts per team, that means that near 1,000 young men won’t be on the active roster, as of now.

There were plenty of former LSU Tigers who didn’t make the initial 53-man roster across the NFL. The most notable names that came to mind were Breiden Fehoko and Thaddeus Moss. Fehoko and Moss were both a part of that 2019 national championship team.

Moss was looking to join Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase in Cincinnati, giving the former Heisman Trophy-winning passer another weapon he was familiar with. Moss signed with the Washington Football Team after going undrafted in 2020. This past offseason he signed with the Bengals, but now finds himself waiting for the next opportunity.

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On Tuesday, these players were waived.

  • Tashawn Bower, New England Patriots
  • Tory Carter, Tennessee Titans
  • Breiden Fehoko, Los Angeles Chargers
  • Cyril Grayson, Tampa Bay Bucs
  • Frank Herron, Carolina Panthers
  • Thaddeus Moss, Cincinnati Bengals
  • JaCoby Stevens, Philadelphia Eagles
  • Stephen Sullivan, Carolina Panthers
  • Badara Traore, Jacksonville Jaguars

Some of these players could be added to the team’s practice squads. LSU Tigers Wire will provide those updates when they are made official.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Bengals make Thaddeus Moss a notable cut while trimming to 53

The Bengals cut a big name, to say the least.

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After Joe Burrow publicly lobbied for former LSU teammate Thaddeus Moss to make the Cincinnati Bengals final roster, it almost seemed a foregone conclusion that would be part of the news cycle on Tuesday.

It seemed even more obvious after tight end Mason Schreck was one of the early reported cuts.

Or not.

Moss took to Instagram before the cut-down deadline and posted a story that suggested he didn’t make it. And when the team announced its 20-plus moves to reach 53 by the 4 p.m. ET, he was indeed waived.

While unexpected, the third and perhaps final tight end spot came down to special teams play and the team preferred Mitchell Wilcox. The Bengals will undoubtedly look to add Moss back to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

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