http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/...ted-hits-to-the-head-20121119,0,6573321.story I've thought the NFL had been going soft since they changed the Qb rules, now accumulating penalties for prior season's fines and bringing it forward to today is just about the last straw for me.
But nothing of the Pat who went helmet to Luck's chin snapping his neck back and no call was made early in the game?
Imo, the hitting of a defenseless player is bush..and the whole thing needs to be blown up and rethought.. For example..the Qb who after completing the throwing motion is in a completely defenseless position, yet, 300 lb grown *** men are able to get a running start and hit the player with all their might.. Please tell me how that's a fair battle when it comes to a collision sport.. Oooooooo, big tough linebackers and lineman teeing off on stationary targets, it's a flawed matchup, one player in the matchup has no way of protecting themselves, and the other is in a aggressive, forceful position to battle, along with a head of steam.. And they get up celebrating like their the tougher man...whatta a fu&$ing joke..
That cuts both ways and RBs need to start being flagged for using their helmets as weapons, or WRs who crack a LB/DE looking into the backfield. Late hits are one thing, but hitting a QB within the rules(2 steps within the release of the ball is usually the standard) shouldn't be flagged, unless he is hit in the head. It really isn't, but there is a standard that establishes what is a legal and illegal hit after throwing the ball. I hear a problem, what is your solution? How do you remedy this? Taking games and money isn't fixing it, so the next step is a rules change. How do you propose doing that and maintaining equal rules for all? One thing we agree upon here is celebrations, these guys act like they just won a SB. Act like you've been there for craps sake!
This is definitely getting better. Ive noticed a lot less of these helmet to helmet hits on defenseless players. And Im not sure how much people can complain. Putting your head down and leading with your helmet is poor form tackling.
As far as Running backs using their helmets as weapons laces...well, are the defenders their facing defenseless like a Qb after release, or a receiver coming across the middle.? I don't believe they are, the back and the defender usually know their going to hit each other, not so with the case I'm making.. What I'm saying is I think the rules for hitting a Qb are completely unfair, and quite frankly disgusting to me..I hate when I hear folks complain about how their so coddled these days...really, coddled..lol..I'd like to see anyone take a hit from an explosive athlete with a running start without having the ability to brace themselves for the collision..it's not right man.. How would I fix it..no helmet should be involved in the tackle whatsoever. The NFL is doing a pretty job of flagging, what I can't stand is people who say that they've gone too far.. I'll keep thinking about some different rule changes. Ya know what really disgusts me, is a safety who hits a defenseless receiver, makes the big hit and acts like he's a bad *** or something, are you freakin kidding me, it's basically a sucker punch.
Fine reduced to 50k no game suspension. If one looks at the angle Reed was coming in at, this was not a "defenseless player", especially with the ball in his hands.