So did Chris Jones.
Chandler Jones had a bad personal foul penalty called on him.
So did Chris Jones.
That's where the similarities end for the two defensive linemen for the New England Patriots. The Joneses work side by side on the Patriots' defensive line and play well off of each other - the sophomore Jones logging 6.5 sacks and 36 total tackles through seven game while the rookie Jones has exploded onto the scene with 3.5 sacks and 16 tackles in four games.
Chandler is a defensive end drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft out of Syracuse University and is considered one of the best young rush ends in the league - Chris is a defensive tackle drafted in the sixth round of this past April's draft...
...released on final cutdown day and immediately claimed off of waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he languished in that circus for a week and a half before the Bucs dumped him as well. The Next day, he became a New England Patriot.
Once signed by the Patriots, it was revealed that the team had put in a waiver claim on the former All American defensive tackle out of Bowling Green at the same time as the Buccaneers, but Tampa was awarded his rights under the inverse priority system of the NFL, which turned out to be a 10 day waste of time for the amicable Jones.
Chandler's transgression, as are most personal foul penalties, was completely avoidable and unnecessary - as was the flag. Chris's sin was also avoidable and unnecessary and changed the entire dynamic of the game.
Midway through the overtime period of a 27-27 game, the Jets lined up for what would have been a career long 56 yard field goal for kicker Nick Folk and at the snap, Chris, lined up to the left side of block unit lineman Will Svitek, stood for a split second to let Svitek hit the line of scrimmage then came up behind him and gave him a shove...
...and now will forever be the unfortunate answer to the obscure trivia question, who was the first player in NFL history to be flagged for violation of NFL Rule 9-1-3, a rule that Jones unwittingly violated - and instead of the Patriots taking over in excellent field position near midfield when Folk predictably missed the kick, the 15 yard unsportsman like conduct penalty gave the Jets a first and 10 at the New England 23 yard line.
Four plays later, Folk nailed their infinitely easier 42 yarder for the game winning points.
In the aftermath of the controversy, conspiracy theories abound in regard to Jets' coach and Belichick nemesis Rex Ryan tipping off the officials to look for the violation - and also in regard to the fact that the NFL's official website changed the wording of the rule to fit the situation that had transpired.
But while Ryan is doing nothing but fueling the flames of the theory that he tipped off the refs, the NFL changed the wording on their website to correctly display the proper wording of the rule.
In other words, there is no controversy - just an arrogant and unapologetic coach whose team had just beaten the New England Patriots fair and square and a fan base that considers the entire episode a karmic response to the Patriots' being beneficiaries of obscure rulings and sublime video taping transgressions in the past.
The Patriots lost to the Jets because of poor execution on offense against an excellent defense but, unfortunately, the rookie Jones is a convenient scapegoat for New England fans to hang their hats on - but if the Patriots had executed the way that they are capable, there would have been no overtime, and Rule 9-1-3 would still be obscure, neatly tucked away and waiting for some other unfortunate soul to conjure.
Chandler Jones is certainly more celebrated than his rookie namesake, but both play an integral role in the New England patriots' defense - hopefully Chris Jones is able to live this down and rack up a few more sacks...
...and leaves the 15 yard penalties to goons that actually deserve them.
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