The Cincinnati Bengals‘ preseason game against the New York Giants sparked controversy after tight end Thaddeus Moss took down Kayvon Thibodeaux. Was it a legal play?
As usual, Twitter had plenty to say about the dangerous hit.
Moss delivered a “cut block” to Thibodeaux which, as Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio describes it, is “a device long recognized by the sport of football as the only way smaller guys can get bigger guys to the ground.”
Florio points out that the play was inherently legal, though not necessarily “clean.”
Looking back at the tape, Moss’ block certainly looks like the kind of play that tears ACLs. It is cringe-inducing, to say the least, but at least Thibodeaux appears to have avoided a serious injury. The 2022 first-rounder was able to walk off the field under his own power and immediately went to the medical tent to have his knee examined.
Analysts on Twitter were nonetheless far from pleased about Moss’ hit, especially considering that it’s only preseason.
DIRTY AF pic.twitter.com/sDkIWPcWsN
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 22, 2022
This is ridiculous, dangerous and cowardly! Straight cowardly. Prayers up for Kayvon Thibodeaux.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) August 22, 2022
pic.twitter.com/v1aIKuJAbC
Penalty.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) August 22, 2022
Hefty Fine.
Suspension.
Nothing less is acceptable. pic.twitter.com/aZulgjrQyF
Bengals’ Thaddeus Moss sparked outrage over hit on Kayvon Thibodeaux in Week 2 of preseason
Current and former NFL ballers also weighed in on the play, with Cowboys’ Micah Parsons fuming over the use of the cut block.
Yet former guard T.J. Lang, former tight end Clay Harbor, and free agent tackle Marshall Newhouse believed the hit was legal and “routine” and point out that people are only angry because of the end result.
The needle seems currently tilted toward “legal play, ugly outcome” as Mike Florio originally stated, and it’s wholly unlikely that Moss will receive a suspension or fine.
On Bengals TE Thaddeus Moss' cut block of Giants DE Kayvon Thibodeaux—it was completely clean (and these blocks are common) with an ugly result. Should it be legal? The issue is shortening the strike zone for players.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 22, 2022
NFL's determined protecting the head > protecting knees.
I went an double checked. still a legal block below the waste by current NFL rules. It's a tool in his belt. just an unfortunate play that thankfully didn't have a catastrophic result. we don't have to turn the TE into the Joker tho
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) August 22, 2022
Wishing Thibodeaux nothing but the best as he awaits test results.