The Cleveland Browns were asleep at the wheel in the defensive huddle, according to an NFL source, on the play that allowed A.J. Green of Cincinnati to score a 41-yard touchdown in the Bengals' 27-17 victory Sunday. According to a report by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, there was "no substitution violation" committed by the Bengals, the source told the newspaper on the touchdown play. The Bengals made personnel substituions on the play and snapped the ball to quarterback Bruce Gradkowski with 14 seconds left on the play clock. Initially, Browns coach Pat Shurmur believed the play to be in question due to illegal substitutions, however, the league apparently did not see it that way. While the Browns, who had 12 men on the field during the play were trying to figure out what defense to get in, the Bengals simply snapped the ball, and Gradkowski fired a pass to Green, who had a 20-yard jump on cornerback Joe Haden, giving Cincinnati an easy score. Source: National Football Post
Was a smart play and it caught the Browns sleeping...actually not a play you'd expect from the Bengals
If the offense substitutes players, the defense has to be given a chance to do the same. If the Browns had 12 on the field, it sounds like they hadn't finished their substitutions. Didn't see the play, but sounds like it should be a penalty on the Bengals. Wouldn't put it past the NFL to be protecting their refs and simply agreeing with their call.
Yeah, hopefully this is just one of those "lockout penalties" brought on by not enough time with the coaching staff before the start of the season. Either way, its on the coaching staff.
