Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury is at a loss to explain the fake clap rule prior to a snap after his team took two more penalties in Saturday’s preseason game.
After the so-called “snap clap” became an issue for Kyler Murray, the Cardinals had backup quarterback Brett Hundley fake clap to signal for the ball. Hundley was called for a false start, and then a second when all he did was lift his leg.
The @AZCardinals just got called for false start for QB Hundley faking the clap to signal for the ball. Next Hundley gets called when all he did was lift his leg w/ no snap.
I spoke to the Cardinals coaches this week and they thought they had clarity. I guess not— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) August 24, 2019
At halftime, Kingsbury was terse when asked about the situation, making it quite clear he was not happy with how it was being officiated.
Kliff Kingsbury, in his halftime interview with @LisaMatthewsAZ, declined to talk about the two more snap clap penalties. Said he didn’t want to be fined.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) August 24, 2019
The Cardinals’ Twitter account even got in on the act. They posted a segment of video from the TV broadcast pointing out the inconsistency of flags between what the Cardinals were being called for and what numerous NFL quarterbacks were not penalized for in 2018.
Good analysis from TV broadcast on what officials consider “abrupt” pre-snap QB movements and what they don’t. pic.twitter.com/sprRlL8b3l
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 24, 2019
Murray ran into the exact same issue earlier in the preseason, and the issue seemed to be with the abruptness of the clap. Hundley didn’t seem to be all that deliberate either, but the referees still called it. Kingsbury may have to make an adjustment.
