Dolphins Accuse Patriots Of Illegal Formation On Blocked Field Goal
BOSTON (CBS) - After getting a field goal attempt blocked against them and returned for a touchdown on their opening drive Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium, the Miami Dolphins think something is fishy.
Bad aquatic puns aside, according to the Boston Globe, the Dolphins submitted the play to the league office on Monday for official review.
Miami contends that illegal formation should have been called on the Patriots because linebacker Jamie Collins lined up too close to the line of scrimmage. Collins blocked the 41-yard field goal attempt, and Kyle Arrington scoop-and-scored the football for a 62-yard touchdown return.
Had illegal formation been called, the Dolphins would have been given 5 yards and a first down. Instead, the special teams touchdown gave the Patriots an early 7-0 lead, one they would never relinquish in their 41-13 rout.
Belichick explained the play during Monday's conference call:
"Jamie [Collins] started behind the line of scrimmage and the play opened up with Vince [Wilfork] and [Sealver] Siliga where he was able to shoot through the gap there. With his athleticism and length [he was] able to time it and get his hand on the ball. It was well executed by a number of guys. Without that opening, he wouldn't have been able to get through. Without the right timing, he might have gotten through, but might not have gotten the ball. It was well executed by the entire unit: using up certain blockers, creating space and then getting through that space and doing it in the proper way so it could affect the flight of the ball."
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