21
Oct
2010
Reminder: We LOVE The Violence With Our Football. Always Have, Always Will
Jack Lambert is the NFL's archetypal linebacker ... does this look like a "clean" hit to you? (Photo: Walter Iooss Jr./SI.com)
(This is the second in our unintentional series of reminders to our loyal audience that the NFL is, in fact, a violent sport. Check out the 1st installment from last season, featuring even more highlights of now illegal hits!)
The sports world has been in a general state of hysteria this week over the shocking fact that violent collisions take place in football. All of the sudden, everyone is horrified over the notion that vicious hits and injuries are an inherent part of the game … as though this was anything new.
NEWS FLASH: Football has always been a violent sport. The NFL has not-so-subtly branded itself for decades around its hard-hitting, violent image. From the time we were very young, we were regaled with stories and NFL Films footage of old-school players like Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert, Deacon Jones and Jack “The Assassin” Tatum. We saw the black & white images of players standing over lifeless bodies, and listened to these men tell of the pure joy & satisfaction of driving an opponent into the ground and hearing the breath exit their bodies. It’s one of the most highly revered traditions of the game.
“I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can’t take it, you shouldn’t play”
– Jack Lambert
In our youth, we watched guys like Ronnie Lott, Lawrence Taylor and Mike Singletary, and found ourselves appreciating a bone-crushing hit by a defender more than an offensive touchdown. We learned the power of intimidation on the field, and when we played football from Pop Warner through High School, we aspired to play like those guys. To this day, some of my most vivid football memories as a fan involve a devastating tackle. Go ahead, stop and think about it for a minute …
dJack Tatum's hit on Darryl Stingley is widely considered to be the most violent hit of all time (Photo: Riesterer/AP via NYDailyNews.com)
Over the years as fans, we’ve been taught to value the big hit as a defensive weapon, and have come to understand that injuries are just a job hazard for those who choose to come across the middle. In recent days, guys like Ray Lewis, Brian Dawkins and Patrick Willis have nobly carried that tradition forward. But now, they’re being asked to change the way they play the game? Veteran Seahawks S Lawyer Malloy invoked the memory of Lott when discussing the challenges defenders could face in light of the league’s heightened stance:
“When I came into the league you really didn’t have to worry about how you hit, and I’m proud I came in in that era because it’s definitely getting harder and harder for myself and some of these young guys on defense.”
Can I have the ‘Wooo!’ hits like Ronnie Lott use to talk about? They’re really taking that out of the game and it’s really a shame.”
19
Oct
2010
NFL Fines Three, Threatens To Begin Suspending Players for Flagrant Hits
(Photo: Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
In the wake of a series of violent collisions during this past weekend’s games, three players have been fined, and the NFL has announced that – effective immediately – players will face suspension for illegal hits, with an emphasis on protecting defenseless players from blows to the head.
Steelers LB James Harrison, Patriots S Brandon Meriweather and Falcons CB Dunta Robinson were fined a total of $175k by the league for flagrant hits on Sunday that had normally bloodthirsty NFL fans collectively cringing and calling for reform. NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson stressed that no rules will be changed, but stated that there will be elevated accountability for illegal hits to the head:
“What we’re trying to make sure our players understand is that you should know the rules,” Anderson said. “The coaches know the rules, the players should know the rules. And so if you are in violations of the rules — particularly one of those trying to protect against head, neck injuries — we’re going to hold you to a higher standard.”
That’s all well and good, but the immediate question becomes where do you draw the line? These are bang-bang plays we’re talking about here, and defenders are simply doing their jobs by trying to deliver the hardest hit possible. The Meriweather and Harrison hits were definitely flagrant head shots, but Harrison (unbelievably) wasn’t even flagged on the plays, and you could easily argue that Robinson’s hit was clean (in fact, we named it our Hit Of The Week). In this sport, regardless of intention, blows to the head just seem inevitable … and unfortunately, so do the injuries that come along with them. That’s one of the main reasons these guys make so much money: NFL athletes put their bodies on the line every Sunday, and there is a very good chance that they could be hurt and suffer long-term repercussions.
Both Harrison and Robinson plan to appeal their fines, so right away there is some gray area here, and there’s bound to be a lot of backlash from players and coaches. UPDATE: It has already begun, and Bears All-Pro LB Brian Urlacher is among the early critics of the NFL’s new policy:
“It’s freaking football. There are going to be big hits. I don’t understand how they can do this after one weekend of hitting. And I can’t understand how they can suspend us for it. I think it’s a bunch of bull.
“You know what we should do? We should just put flags on everybody. Let’s make it the NFFL – the National Flag Football League. It’s unbelievable.”
UPDATE #2: Now James Harrison is threatening to retire from football rather than adjust the way he plays the game:
“I’m going to sit down and have a serious conversation with my coach tomorrow and see if I can actually play by NFL rules and still be effective,” Harrison said. “If not, I may have to give up playing football.
So basically, if Harrison can’t keep hurting people, there’s just no point for him anymore. What a nutjob. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin excused Harrison from practice today “to cool off”, but expects him back at practice tomorrow.
WATCH VIDEO OF THE MERIWEATHER AND HARRISON HITS AFTER THE JUMP
17
Nov
2009
It gets worse for Cleveland: Josh Cribbs injured on final play
(Photo: Tony Dejak/AP via Cleveland.com)
Since most of the nation had turned their attention elsewhere before the end of the Ravens/Browns MNF game (and who could blame them), you probably missed this one.
On the final play of the game, WR Josh Cribbs – perhaps the sole bright spot for Cleveland this year – was leveled by DE Dwan Edwards after pitching the ball on a hook-and-ladder play, and was taken to the hospital to be evaluated for a possible concussion. Cribbs was imnobilized on the field and carted off on a stretcher as a precautionary measure, but had all feeling in his extremities.
Here’s video of the play:
After the game, Ravens DE Trevor Pryce said the Browns shouldn’t have been running the play in the first place, with the game so far out of reach:
“Running a play like that when you’re down 16 — what are you trying to prove?” Pryce said. “I don’t understand it. I don’t want to say something like that, but heck, it’s the truth.
“Bad things happen when you do something like that. When people are running around like crazy, somebody’s going to get hurt. Dwan hit him because he had the ball. He didn’t try to hurt him. We prayed for Josh. I hope he’s OK. He’s a great player.”
Ummm … I’m pretty sure Cribbs didn’t have the ball anymore. In fact, he took 3 steps without it before getting crushed by Edwards. Some have even suggested that the hit may have been payback for an earlier play where Browns QB Brady Quinn went low at the knees of LB Terrell Suggs following an interception. Suggs did not return to the game, and the severity of his injury is not yet known. When asked if there was any retribution intended, Edwards said, “Absolutely not.”.
And just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for Cleveland, it turns out that the final play where Cribbs was hurt was set up by their fourth time out of the game. So the play should never have even happened. Yikes.
5
Sep
2009
Following the Browns on Twitter
The Cleveland Plain Dealer lists the twitter feeds of a variety of Browns players. Reading through some of these, you remember, once again, that these guys are young. Definitely a different take on the life of an NFL player than you’ll get from the media. Take a look (and click on their names to visit their pages):
Braylon Edwards – I want to start here. Braylon’s Twitter has been shut down. Now, I’m not sure exactly why, but I looked at it a few weeks ago, and it was littered with insults. People were brutal about his drops. Many of Braylon’s entries were encouraging messages to his friend Donte Stallworth. Amidst all the abuse Braylon was taking on his Twitter feed, he was sending daily messages of encouragement to Donte. It made the idiotic fans abusing him look like evil robotic cattle.
D’Qwell Jackson – On the looming cuts: “Being in the building is a constant reminder of how thankful I am to be playing this game..its tough watchin ur buddy get released frm team” & “Thats the reality of the world we live in..guys scratchin to take care of their families thru football at this point in time”
On the road to Chicago: “Gettin ready for the bus ride..sittin around choppin it up wit the fellas b4 the plane ride to chicago” & “Any suggestions for a place to shop in chi town.. I like to grab something from each city that I go to.. Ya diggg!!”
On the Cleveland climate: “Boi clev temperature is coming..say bye to those sunny days.. It must be football season!!”
Joshua Cribbs – This guy cracks me up. On the quarterback derby: “it’s not really hush, hush coach has not made his decision yet.. But it’s obvious the fans want Brady, but u never know…”
On his DVD collection: “I have Heath cliff and smurfs on DVD lovem” & “i loved small wonder the little kid robot….lol”
Fined by the league? “25k fine by the NFL…they said i was throwing up gang signs…”
After a win over the Titans: “Yesssss!!!! we played hard, we battled, we won…. Go browns!!!”
A promise to a supporter: “thanks for buying my jersey I will give 100% everytime I step on the field…”
Donte Stallworth – From Deepak Chopra: “@D_Stallworth18 Enjoy the book and thanks for the support! xo”
In response to Deepak: “thx 4ur inspirational works, it reaches ppl universally”
And this to Deepak: “RT @Deepak_Chopra: There is nothing more attractive than a person who has no social masks and radiates a simple unaffected humanity.”
On behavior: “The way to keep yourself from making assumptions is to ask questions. Make sure the communication is clear. If u don’t understand, ask..”
To his readers: “GOOD MORNING TWITTER-VERSE… Find motivation today… What r ur dreams? Make someone smile today, u never know what that will do 4 them!!!”
Again: “GOODNIGHT EVERYBODY… COUNT YA BLESSINGS & SAY A PRAYER 4 THE WORLD B4 U SLEEP, WE ALL NEED IT!!! LOVE YALL, GOODNIGHT & GOD BLESS”
MORE AFTER THE JUMP…
22
Aug
2009
( ( ( LIVE GAME BLOG ) ) ) Browns vs. Lions
The Browns 10-year rebuilding plan continues today!
And we are here to follow the action. After a dismal showing against Green Bay last Saturday, will the Browns have their act together today in Cleveland Browns Stadium? Will Eric Mangini‘s team be different than those coached by Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, or Romeo Crenell–or is this just more of the same?
Aspects of the game the Browns need to improve:
- Every aspect
There’s an incredible amount of attention on the QB battle between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, but the reality is that neither of these guys has separated from the pack. Neither has shown they can play consistent football week to week (or even practice to practice). The “quarterback controversy” here, in my opinion, is the fact that we’re going into the season for the eleventh time since the Browns return to the league WITHOUT a clear-cut starter–and minus a true leader at the position.
Here are two problems that suggest disaster for this team: (1) They cannot run the football; (2) They cannot stop the run. That’s the recipe for a painful, long season. This team that has to get tougher, smarter, and refuse to lie down. Winning or losing preseason games is not of core importance–but playing well, gaining confidence, and nailing down Mangini’s new system are critical.
Will the team get their act together today? We’ll post throughout the game, right after the jump…
