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In the third quarter of Monday’s game between the Broncos and Titans, rookie cornerback Michael Ojemudia had an interception nullified by an unnecessary roughness penalty called against linebacker Alexander Johnson.
Johnson was deemed to have used unnecessary roughness to hit a player out of the play. In reality, Johnson hit a player within five yards of the line of scrimmage (legal) and it wasn’t from behind and he didn’t use his helmet.
“I was just playing ball, playing within the whistle — playing football — playing within the whistle, but referee saw something else and it sucks that we had an interception and had to return,” Johnson said after a 16-14 loss to the Titans on Monday. “I feel like that hurt the team right there.”
After reviewing the film, Broncos coach Vic Fangio indicated Tuesday that Johnson shouldn’t have been penalized.
“I thought it was a highly questionable call,” Fangio said. “I didn’t see it happen live until I saw it on the tape. He just chucked a guy in his chest inside of five yards. He didn’t hit him in the back or neck or head area. I was surprised by the call.”
Tennessee ended up settling for a field goal on that drive so the blown call didn’t directly result in any points for the Titans but it sucked momentum away from Denver with the game tied 7-7.
The penalty was unfortunate but Johnson had a great game overall, leading the team with 12 tackles in Week 1.
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