Randy Moss getting flagged for "taunting"?

Question

He just threw the ball at Nate Kaeding(Chargers' kicker)...do you think this justifies as "taunting"?

Answer 1

I saw the play and thought that the penalty was BS.
While I am not a Raider fan (in fact I think they suck, but why kick them when they're down) and not a big Randy Moss fan, that was not taunting!
If your gonna taunt, you might as well get your money's worth and shove it in the coach's face.

Answer 2

Taunting falls under the heading of unsportsmanlike conduct, which in the NFL rulebook is "Any act contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship."

Well, that isn't a lot of help. The problem is that what constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct, especially taunting, is too subjective. Also, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty can change the outcome of a game.

Ok, taunting and other unsportsmanlike acts are embarrassing for football. It's bad behavior, and it sets a poor example for younger fans. But it shouldn't change the outcome of a game.

One problem with taunting is that it seems to occur on every play. Anybody who watches football is familiar with the celebrations. Players dance after scoring touchdowns, picking up first downs, making a good tackle, or sometimes for no apparent reason. There is clearly a flow of trash-talking throughout the game.

The officials only decide to call a penalty when they feel the degree of unsportsmanlike conduct is too much. In truth, the guidelines are too subjective.

The League should review unsportsmanlike conduct plays and fine guilty parties afterward. There is simply too much happening on the field for the officials to witness every unsportsmanlike act or to call them all correctly. The NFL should relieve officials of this responsibility and only review the questionable behavior later.

A League review policy would allow the NFL to fine or suspend players for unsportsmanlike acts, preventing future incidents of bad behavior. Also, the outcome of games would no longer be affected by these flags.

Answer 3

I agree with melissa...

If Moss was taunting then Meriman was taunting all night long with every other player on that SD defense.

What drew the call was the reaction of that little **** Keading who acted like it was the most offensive thing he ever had happen to him...

You call that on Moss you call it on Meriman...period

Answer 4

Guess they had to call something, a taunting call just sent the message that they didn't miss it. Not that it really was "taunting". If he had thrown the ball at someone bigger, I wonder if they would have called it.

Answer 5

However you look at it, it's bad sportsmanship.It probably won't be the last time he messes up. Don't get me wrong, I like Randy Moss, but he does need to work on his attitude.

Answer 6

I love Randy Moss and watched him play college football all the way through his career at Marshall in Huntington, W. Va. He is colorful and need more guys like him...

Answer 7

Hell no. Those Chargers brought their own refs again.
How about that steroid freak Merriam and his wiping his feet in the dirt contantly. what happened to unsportsman like conduct. Hmmmm
Anyway, our offensive line needs to pay us for that crap we saw monday night. not one of them earned a dime of that paycheck.

Answer 8

ehhhh whos cares if he gets fined wow big deal a little piece of his millions and as far as the question goes i think it is not taunting but unsportsman like conduct

Answer 9

I gotta admit that call was weak but then again so were the Raiders.

Answer 10

Yeah, it was BS. Let's see if TO gets the same kind of calls.