Late in the first half of the Seattle Seahawks' meaningless game against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18, punter Michael Dickson unleashed a ridiculously good kick that landed inside the Los Angeles 10-yard line and then bounced enough for Seattle to down the ball inside the five. Several Seahawks had a chance to down the ball, but none did.
It was an embarrassing special teams effort. But rookie linebacker Tyrice Knight was not the main problem. He was only the last of the Seattle players who failed to keep the ball from going over the goal line.
That did not stop FOX analyst Jonathan Vilma from laying the proverbial wood to Knight. The former New Orleans Saints linebacker jokingly said that Knight should be "immediately cut" by Seattle for his failure. The problem was that Vilma's comment did not seem joking at first. He seemed to say it without thinking and believing what he said.
Analyst Jonathan Vilma tears down Seattle Seahawks rookie Tyrice Knight over meaningless play
Knight has had a much better-than-expected season. He was taken in the fourth round and then thrust into starting duty once free agent signees Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson washed out and were traded or released, respectively. Since becoming a starter, Knight has proven to be solid against the run and decent in coverage.
In other words, Knight has shown enough to be a long-term starter at inside linebacker for Seattle. His mistake on special teams was not enough to be callouslessly ripped by Vilma. It was the kind of comment that is rarely heard and seemed unfeeling from one retired linebacker to one just beginning his career.
Will there be a post-game apology by Vilma? Unlikely. Had he said as much about someone like Bobby Wagner, there would be. Knight? He has not earned his way yet.
Still, in ten years when we revisit Vilma's words, the analyst will likely look foolish. He should feel as much as his silly comments over a meaningless play in a meaningless game. In fact, Vilma should be more of a mentor to Knight than a critic. Knight might feel differently after the analyst's Week 18 comments.