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Penalty on Munnerlyn's hit of Brees sacked momentum

Captain Munnerlyn's penalized hit on Drew Brees at the end of the third quarter changed the game's flow.

By Mark Craig

September 22, 2014 at 4:20AM

Saints quarterback Drew Brees was sacked by Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn as the third quarter ended Sunday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NEW ORLEANS – What could have been a game-changing sack for the Vikings in about 1985 became a game-clinching unnecessary roughness penalty for the Saints on Sunday.

Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, who made the play on third-and-13 as the third quarter ended, didn't agree with the pivotal call that helped the Saints win 20-9. His coach, Mike Zimmer, did agree based on today's stricter rules protecting quarterbacks, although he intends to ask the league for clarification.

As for Drew Brees, the quarterback who got body-slammed, well, he might have described the action better than anyone.

"That was straight Hulk Hogan 1985 WrestleMania suplex," Brees said.

On an all-out blitz, Munnerlyn got to Brees first. Safety Robert Blanton was there, too.

"I had my arms around him, and it seemed like he was fighting and trying to get away from me," Munnerlyn said. "I didn't hear a whistle. So I just started to lean back with him to take him to the ground. I didn't try to dump him on his head."

Brees was furious when he got to his feet. He started yelling at Blanton, who got tangled up with him while rolling over after Munnerlyn's body slam.

"I told him he went after the wrong guy," Munnerlyn said. "He was going after Blanton and I said, 'No, no, I did it.' He said, 'I know you're a heck of a football player. You're not a dirty player.'

"He calmed down and was like, 'OK, man. I just felt like I landed on my head.' I said, 'Look at the replay. You landed on your back.' "

Ultimately, the body slam was worth it for the Saints. Instead of punting with a 13-9 lead and the Vikings gaining momentum quickly, the Saints got the first down and went on to finish a 12-play, 90-yard touchdown drive. Brees converted two more third downs with completions before delivering the game-clinching 18-yard touchdown pass to Marques Colston.

After the slam, Brees completed six of nine passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. He hit five different targets. Jimmy Graham had a 10-yard catch on third-and-7, while Brandin Cooks had a 19-yarder on third-and-7, Kenny Stills an 11-yarder on third-and-10 and Robert Meachem a 23-yarder on third-and-11.

"Right when it happens, you are angry," Brees said. "Then, your emotion takes over and you lock in. Let's use this for our benefit now. We were upset about the way the second and third quarters had gone. We really didn't do much of anything. We had to get things going. That just happened to be the catalyst for that."

Munnerlyn said he will appeal any fine.

"I feel like I let my teammates down," he said. "I don't have to agree with the penalty, but they called it. I feel like it changed the game."

Drew Brees went after Vikings safety Robert Blanton after the third-down sack by Munnerlyn, which was flagged as unnecessary roughness and gave the Saints a first down. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Saints receiver Marques Colston scored a touchdown over Robert Blanton to end a 12-play, 90-yard drive in the fourth quarter Sunday aided by the penalty on Munnerlyn. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).