Panthers’ Rivera on blocked field goal: ‘He jumped the snap perfect’

After the 38-35 win against the Giants, Panthers coach Ron Rivera thought Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie must have jumped offside on his field-goal block in the fourth quarter of the game.

But upon further review, Rivera realized Rodgers-Cromartie timed it perfectly, and it was probably his team’s fault.

The Panthers’ coach credited Rodgers-Cromartie for the play, but he acknowledged there must have been a tell on Carolina’s side that allowed him to time it so well.

“He jumped the snap perfect,” Rivera said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen somebody hit it as good as he did without being offside. The wing (Ben Jacobs) had no chance because the next guy to come off, he had to check to the inside, and by that time the guy was already by him.”

Rodgers-Cromartie came from the right side of the Giants line and flew past Jacobs, who blocked inside. Rodgers-Cromartie went in clean to block Graham Gano’s attempt, and the Giants recovered it 9 yards down the field.

It was the fourth blocked field goal attempt this season for the Panthers and the fifth kick, including one extra point attempt that was returned for a touchdown.

Rivera said they’ll have to look at how they use their snap cadence for future games.

“There are some things from that point, the recognition that hey, we need to change some things up,” Rivera said. “We’re going to get these things corrected. You don’t want to be in a situation where that costs you the game.”

This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 8:25 PM with the headline "Panthers’ Rivera on blocked field goal: ‘He jumped the snap perfect’."