Saints' Benjamin Watson: 'It would be much easier if we put flags on the QB'

The hugely impactful and highly questionable roughing the passer call against Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews continues to be talked about on Monday morning, with many questioning how defensive players are supposed to succeed given that Matthews seemed to take Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins down with a textbook tackle – not too high, not too low, didn’t do that whole full-body-weight thing.

At least one player, who has a prominent role with the NFL Players Association, floated an unexpected idea.

‘Put flags on the QB’

Benjamin Watson, a veteran tight end with the New Orleans Saints and one of the vice presidents of the NFLPA executive committee, made the suggestion on Twitter. Responding to a comment by recently retired left tackle Joe Thomas that Matthews’ penalized play was “the least roughing the passer of a QB I’ve ever seen,” Watson said perhaps it’s time for a drastic change.

“This is not a knock on QBs but it would be much easier for everyone (defenders, referees, NFL) if we put flags on the QB or made him two hand touch,” Watson wrote. “By doing so investment is protected, refs call is easy, defenders can play freely (without) inhibition or fear.”

Watson, of course, plays with Drew Brees, who has been remarkably durable despite being one of the smaller quarterbacks in the NFL in recent years.

It’s in his interest, and the interest of his team, to make sure Brees is protected (Watson was a member of the Patriots in 2008 when Tom Brady was lost for the season to a torn ACL after a low hit to his plant leg in the first half of the first game of the year), but does his idea have merit?

‘It’s a new day’

When someone commented to Watson that “these new rules are (ridiculous),” Watson said, “I agree. But it’s a new day.”

The league has taken pains in recent years to protect quarterbacks, in large part because they are most often the most visible players on a team, and get the lion’s share of praise (and blame) for teams’ results.

Not to be overlooked, as Watson intimated, there’s also a significant investment made by franchises in their quarterbacks; Cousins’ three-year pact with Minnesota is fully guaranteed and potentially a game-changer, and Josh McCown is making $10 million this season to serve as the Jets’ backup but also a teacher for rookie Sam Darnold.

From that standpoint, does it make sense to revert to a practice-type approach even during games? Quarterbacks almost always wear red jerseys in practice, a visual signal that they’re not to be touched, even during full-pads sessions.

Are we slowly headed that way?

While at least one prominent former NFL official, Mike Pereira, said that Matthews did not commit roughing the passer, don’t hold your breath waiting for the NFL to say Tony Corrente’s crew was wrong for its flag on Sunday, even though it took an interception off the board and opened the door for the Vikings to get the game-tying score.

But with all of the rules aimed at protecting quarterbacks and making it nearly impossible for pass-rushers to sack them without penalty, are we headed toward quarterbacks wearing flags?

It seems far-fetched right now – there’s always a segment of football fans who complain that new rules are ruining the game – but the league also likes to give the appearance of caring about player safety. No better way to protect the game’s marquee position than to put a belt with flags around his waist and keep them from hitting the ground.

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