OK, Boomer: NFL commentator ruffles feathers following criticism of both Streveler and CFL

Jake Thomas figured former teammate Chris Streveler had a free play.

Troy Hill retuned a Streveler interception 84 yards for a touchdown Sunday to lead the Los Angeles Rams to a crucial 18-7 victory over Arizona on Sunday. The contest was a big one for the Cardinals (8-8) who would’ve secured a playoff berth with a victory.

Streveler’s pass drew the ire of broadcaster Boomer Esiason. Moments after Hill’s return erased a 7-5 deficit late in the first half, Esiason lambasted Streveler, who in 2019 helped the Winnipeg Blue Bombers capture their first Grey Cup title since 1990.

“What a horrific mistake by Reveler,” Esiason said, getting Streveler’s name wrong in the process. “He throws it in between three Ram defenders as he’s getting him in the pocket.

“You know, this isn’t the Grey Cup, this isn’t the CFL. You just can’t take chances and threw the ball down the middle of the field and expect somebody not to come down with it. There’s just no reason to throw the ball there.”

Streveler said after the game he thought he’d drawn the Rams offside and therefore had a free play to try and hit Rams receiver Trent Sherfield downfield. The six-foot-two, 290-pound Thomas, who agreed to a one-year contract extension with Winnipeg on

Monday, felt the same way.

“I totally thought he was throwing it up because there was an offside penalty,” Thomas said during a conference call. “Unfortunately that wasn’t the call.

“Any time those comments are made aren’t always the best. Guys in the league and our fans are pretty proud. I guess if there’s one positive out of it, I feel like there’s a lot of people talking about the CFL today.”

Kyler Murray started for the Cardinals before suffering an ankle injury and being replaced by Streveler. Murray returned under centre in the second half before again being replaced by Streveler.