Troy-bilt 11A-B2AQ723 blade turns with blade control disengaged

Got a free one of these and it runs. It seems like the blade shouldn't spin with the blade control disengaged, but it does. Is this how these mowers work? Am I missing something? - this doesn't seem right. I can't find any documentation on this mower.

WIth my Honda mower the blade only spins when the blade control is engaged.

On the TB160 the only control is an operator present bail lever. This is meant to kill the engine if the operator is not holding down. If the mower runs without it depress then it is likely someone has disabled the engine brake system.

As for the blade it is direct drive so it turns when ever the engine is running.

Thanks StarTech! I thought that might be the case, but wasn't sure. So the blade control has to be engaged to start the mower? (obviously) Letting go of it brakes the flywheel and kills the engine.