Chicago Bears CB Tim Jennings: Let us play
By Cory Buck
The NFL’s re-emphasis of the illegal contact rule has defenses everywhere seeing red — or more accurately, yellow — and they’re not alone in that regard. Penalties have taken a sharp spike this preseason thanks to a more strict interpretation of the illegal contact rule. As you can imagine, Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings isn’t crazy about this new approach and he has a simple message for the NFL: Let us play.
More from Chicago Bears
- Ryan Poles’ first contract extension as Bears GM is a big one
- NFL rumors: 3 edge rushers Bears could still add to fill glaring need
- Justin Fields, self-proclaimed Top 5 rushing QB ever, eyes elusive Bears record
- NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
- NFL coach bashes the Bears for letting star leave
Patrick Finley at the Chicago Sun-Times writes that there have been ’53 defensive-holding calls, 27 illegal-contact flags and 15 defensive-pass-interference penalties’ called since the start of preseason. When he cited those numbers to Bears defenders, he got some predictable responses.
“It’s a passing league,” cornerback Tim Jennings said. “It’s getting out of hand.”
It’s vaguely reminiscent of the reaction to the first go-round in this regard, when illegal contact was first introduced. Then, it was largely seen as a reaction to New England Patriots defenders like Ty Law mugging receivers from the Indianapolis Colts in a playoff game. Now, it’s viewed as a reaction to the physical style employed by the Seattle Seahawks secondary.
Whatever the motivation for the new look at the rules, Tim Jennings doesn’t like it. “Once the [regular-season] games come along, you’ve got to let us play,” Jennings said. “If it doesn’t affect the game, you’ve got to let it go.”
[subscribe}