Sunday’s week nine loss to the Broncos was arguably the most controversially officiated game during head coach Dave Canales’ tenure as Panthers head coach. A seemingly low late hit on Bryce Young, a defender offsides, and most notably the late challenge flag and missed defensive pass interference call with Carolina just one yard from going up eight points with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter. There was no shortage of questionable calls that angered both players and fans.
After the loss Canales was asked his opinion about some of the controversial whistles.
“I saw what they saw, and whether you call it a 50/50 decision or all that, it’s just we got to be clean with our hands in some of those situations,” he said.
When asked about the late challenge flag Canales said the officials confirmed it was thrown before the ball was snapped on the next play.
Monday afternoon, after Canales had a chance to watch film of the game, he was asked if his opinion about anything changed.
“It did not,” Canales said. “I could sit there and argue, but in those situations, having those conversations, I saw it live. I see what they see and those calls can go either way. When they call them that way there’s really nothing more to talk about. So, the penalties came out. We [got to] assess them. We [got to] keep playing ball.”
Many have questioned Canales’ non-confrontational and nice guy approach, especially when his team appears to be on the short end of the officiating stick.
“I’m going to respect the officials,” Canales said when asked if he feels like he needs to show more emotion about the officiating if players are saying they feel like the penalties are one-sided in a game.
“They have a job to do. It’s not an easy job. What I like to do is just to make sure I get their perspective on what happened, and then I offer mine. I just offer it plainly and tell them, “I saw what you saw. Here’s what I saw from my point of view.” Or if it’s something that wasn’t called, then I can give them my perspective and say, “Hey, will you make sure you keep your eye on this, because we believe this or that is happening.” I just want to have that open flow of communication with the officials. [I] respect that they have a job to do, and for me, I always like to approach it that way. And I feel like the results become this relationship where I do get the perspective from them and I’m able to move forward. Plus, I got a job to do. When I’m able to have those conversations, I need to be able to move on and be available for the rest of the team as we continue to go. I’m asking my players to do that. I’m doing the same thing for them.”
Despite yesterday’s loss, the Panthers are still tied for first place in the NFC South with a division matchup against the Saints looming Sunday. Guys may talk about it tonight, but come Tuesday it will be flushed and they’ll be preparing for a new battle with hopes history won’t repeat itself in the Big Easy.
