Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie sounds off on his PI penalty vs Falcons - "I'm about to start guarding these WRs with no hands"
Trent McDuffie appeared on The Richard Sherman Podcast and the former corner sympathized with how the Kansas City Chiefs man was called for a defensive pass interference in the game against the Falcons, for what many considered a soft penalty.
Richard Sherman, who played with such distinction and won a Super Bowl, said that such calls show that the NFL is making it progressively tough to play the cornerback position. The podcast host said,
"That PI they gave you, man, this league's making it tough to play corner."
Trent McDuffie replied that he told his coach immediately after the call when the defense went off the field that the only way he can now guard is without raising his hands. He commented,
"I'm telling you I ran off the field and said coach 'I'm about to start guarding these receivers with no hands.' We can't do nothing no more, man, really. We can't do nothing no more. It's tough."
Richard Sherman and Trent McDuffie fire back at Mel Kiper's comments
Mel Kiper has recently said that the NFL should consider banning two high safeties because it causes quarterbacks to throw more short passes rather than going over the top because of the coverage. Now, Richard Sherman has weighed in saying that all such attempts to make offensive play easier do not take into account how hard it is to play in the defensive secondary anyhow. He noted,
"It's tough, and people were like, 'Did you hear that take where [Mel] Kiper said they need to ban two-high because it's getting too hard?' I said, 'Like, it's hard enough. Facts.'"
Trent McDuffie endorsed that viewpoint, commenting that people just want to see deep balls instead of allowing the defense to also show their skills. The Chiefs defender replied,
"Facts. Here in cover zero, you feel me? Just head tops all day, that's all they want to see, bro."
Richard Sherman also praised Trent McDuffie's film study, which allowed him to get to the spot before the receiver, saying
"You beat him to the spot, like, if I can't beat him to the spot and hold my ground, then I can't play. Like, that was anticipation, that was route recognition, that was film study—all that—and y'all punish me because this dude... I knew it was coming. He could have run a route inside and beat me, but I knew it was going outside. I went out there. That was a great coverage rep by you."
Trent McDuffie appreciated the strong show of support from one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play the game.