Bill Belichick was absolutely furious with the officiating crew in Miami during Sunday’s NFL game between the Patriots and Dolphins. He proceeded to rip into the nearest referee on and off for upwards of 10 minutes after a blatant missed call.
Mike McDaniel runs one of the most innovative and explosive offenses in the NFL. They get their players in space and get their best players the ball.
To do so, the Dolphins use all kinds of unique formations and pre-snap motion.
However, it is very clear in the rulebook that no two players on offense should be in motion at the same time. Only one player can go into motion and he must be set for a full second before a different player can go into motion.
Miami had two players in motion at the same time on a play during the late second quarter on Sunday.
It is also very clear in the rulebook that no player should be in motion toward the line of scrimmage at the snap. All players in motion must be set, or moving horizontally at the snap.
Wide receiver Braxton Berrios was in motion toward the line of scrimmage at the snap on the same play that both he and running back Salvon Ahmed were in motion at the same time. Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai and defensive back Myles Bryant pointed to the illegal motion as it happened in real time.
No flag was thrown.
Bill Belichick was irate. He walked over to the Down Judge and let him have it.
Still, no penalty was called for illegal motion. Belichick did not stop chirping the official as the next play got underway. He could be seen saying “that’s f——- B.S.” on multiple occasions.
The 71-year-old head coach had every reason to be upset. He was right.
Miami should have been flagged for illegal motion. It was not.