26
Oct
2010
Hit Of The Week: Brandon Meriweather and Todd Heap, Revisited (VIDEO)
(Photo via Boston.com)
We’ve started a new tradition here at ReadAndReact by bringing you the Hit of the Week! We’ll find the most brutal tackle (or block) from each weekend of NFL games, and present it for your viewing pleasure.
Since the NFL is so intent on removing violent collisions from the game these days, we’re going to play along and not include any hits as part of this feature that could be considered illegal (well, at least for one week). In fact, in an effort to keep this issue top of mind for everyone, today we’ve decided to revisit the two participants in last week’s “hit heard ’round the world” – Brandon Meriweather and Todd Heap – to see how they fared this time around.
Meriweather has been the primary focus of the league’s crackdown on illegal shots to the head, and was under the microscope every time he made a tackle during the Patriots 23-20 win over the Chargers. Here, Meriweather showed that he’s capable of delivering a clean hit (and perhaps even that he was heeding the league’s warnings) as he delivers a huge – but legal – shot on WR Patrick Crayton:
And the NFL should really like this next one, since it doesn’t feature any contact whatsoever! On the other hand, it raises a completely new player-safety issue that the league is going to have to deal with. Perhaps still feeling the effects from Meriweather’s shot to the head from last week, Todd Heap collapsed untouched on the field during the Ravens 23-20 OT win over the Bills :
WATCH TODD HEAP’S SCARY MOMENT AFTER THE JUMP
24
Oct
2010
Carl From ATHF weighs in on NFL crackdown on illegal hits (VIDEO)
Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force makes his first appearance of the season on RnR, and he is still the consummate mouthpiece for the common NFL fan. This week, Carl bemoans the potential loss of brain-rattling hits from the game. Best Line: “DeSean Jackson’s brain is property of the NFL, and it is dissapointing to see Roger Goodell cave in to a bunch of pencil-neck scientists trying to neuter our fine sport”. Amen.
Watch below, and all you gamblers out there, be sure to stick around for Carl’s completely unreliable Stone Cold Lock of the Century … Of The Week.
Excuse me while I go look for my Zubaz pantz …
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.”
21
Oct
2010
NFL Releases Video Illustrating Legal vs Illegal Hits
Brandon Meriweather's hit on Todd Heap was the most flagrant shot of them all (Photo: Michael Dwyer via KansasCity.com)
The big story of the week in the NFL continues to be the brouhaha over violent hits in the game, and the league’s threat to begin suspending players who deliver flagrant blows to the head. The general consensus seems to be that yes, something needs to be done to protect players and prevent head injuries. But most people also tend to agree that in this sport, these types of collisions are an inevitable – and even an exciting & compelling – part of the game. So how do you strike a balance?
Ray Anderson, the NFL’s VP of Operations, followed up his controversial statement from earlier in the week with this video, which was sent to all 32 teams today to illustrate what the league considers to be a legal and illegal hit. The video includes highlights of the Meriweather hit and other examples of dangerous shots to the head, along with several “clean” plays that show how players can make hard, effective tackles without endangering anyone’s safety (well, any more than necessary … this is a contact sport, after all).
WATCH THE NFL PLAYER SAFETY VIDEO BELOW
In the video, Anderson states:
“Illegal hits to the head of an opponent will not be tolerated. A player is accountable for what he hits. Illegal techniques must be removed from our game. We all accept that football is a physical and tough game, but players must play under control. If a player launching into an opponent misses his aiming point, he will nevertheless be held responsible for what he hits.”
“Player safety is our highest priority,” Anderson says to his audience of coaches and players. “We’ve said publicly, and we will repeat to all of you, we will not apologize for or be defensive about aggressive enforcement to protect players from illegal and potentially life-altering blows to the head and neck.”
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
13
Sep
2010
VIDEO: Calvin Johnson & Lions get screwed by ridiculous “going to the ground” rule
Apparently two feet, a hand and a hip down do not make a completion these days (Photo: Tom Cruze/AP)
This is the play that everyone is going to be talking about today: with :31 seconds remaining in the Lions/Bears game, backup QB Shaun Hill (in for the injured Matt Stafford), connects in the endzone with WR Calvin Johnson on what appears to be a game winning touchdown. But not so fast …
On the play, Johnson outjumps the defender to make the catch, gets both feet down in the endzone and then falls to the ground, landing on his left hip while holding the ball firmly in his extended right hand. He then places the ball on the ground as he got up to celebrate. Apparently that’s not good enough for a catch in the NFL these days, because the play was ruled an incompletion, even following a lengthy booth review. The Bears held on for a 19-14 win.
Watch the play for yourself, and decide if this is a completion:
VIDEO AND DISCUSSION AFTER THE JUMP
15
Aug
2009
Chris Cooley reminds us that the NFL frowns on individuality
Roger Goodell will not tolerate sock violations ... or pledge pins on your uniform
Redskins TE Chris Cooley – the NFL’s best blogger – recently posted an account of a team meeting regarding uniform violations, reminding us just how seriously the NFL takes their policies (in case there was any doubt). Cooley goes on to list some of the fines that can be levied against players for straying from the league dress code.
Camp is well underway so let the multitude of meetings continue – all kinds varying from local gang activity to how to handle your baby’s mama. One of my favorite annual meetings was held as the the team gathered restlessly yesterday afternoon. The NFL dress code and fine schedule.
Just for fun I figured I would list some of the fines mentioned in our meeting and different amounts.
$5000 fines
- High/Low whites on socks
- Pants not covering knees (no skin should show below the waist)
- Bandana
- Wrong nasal strip
- Hand towel alterations – towel must be 7 to 8 inches and have no tape on it
- Tape not the same color of the shoe.
- Jersey untucked (usually there is a warning for this one)
- Jersey cut too short
- Sleeves coming out of jersey – only QB can have this and only a certain amount can come out
- Chinstrap undone ($7500)$10,000 fines
- Personal messages
- Any second offense fine
- Wrong attire 90 minutes previous and after a game – clothes must be Reebok apparel
- Tinted visor – must have a doctors note for a tinted visor
Some of these fines might seem nick-picky, sure. But the fines go to charity, and it’s not like these are huge hits on players’ bank accounts either. And I can totally see why a bandana and incorrect nasal strip could be a threat to the integrity of the game. That’s just common sense.
26
Mar
2009
NFL Owners Meetings Rage On!
While most of us are neck-deep in March Madness, the NFL owners are getting together this week – ostensibly to discuss how rich they are, and how they can continue to get richer. And while they’re at it, they’re changing the rules of the game … for better or worse.
Jerry Jones challenges other owners to Rock, Paper, Scissors for the rights to host the 2011 Super Bowl
Here are a few of the changes that have been instituted:
- Allowing video replays on a loose ball that could be either a fumble or an incomplete pass (the Ed Hochuli rule)
- Added video reviews of down-by-contact plays involving a fumble
- Replay can now be used to determine if a loose ball hit the sideline
- The draft order for playoff teams was reworked and will be based on where teams were eliminated in the postseason
- Check out this article on NFL.com for a complete list of rule changes
And then there’s the “Brady Rule” (from Boston.com):
… the league’s Competition Committee adopted a clarification of the current rule on hits to a quarterback in the knee area or below. The clarification specifically prohibits a defender on the ground who hasn’t been blocked or fouled directly into the quarterback from lunging or diving at the quarterback’s lower legs.
The pussifying of the NFL continues, in the name of protecting the franchise quarterback. Now, not only can you no longer hit a QB below the waist or above the neck … now, defenders need to basically stop playing if they’ve fallen down (or been blocked to the ground), and they can’t crawl toward the QB, who by the way, has the effing football!
I’m sorry, but this goes against the fundamentals of defensive football. We are a few years away from QBs wearing a red jersey and being untouchable. For the amount of money these guys are making, its about time to start treating QBs like the real football players they are.
So a knee gets blown out here or there?!? Welcome to the NFL, son.
Extended Regular Season coming
Last but not least, the Washington Post and NFL.com are reporting that the NFL regular season will likely expand to 18 games in 2011.
credit: thesportingorange.com
Apparently they’re leaning toward trimming the pre-season to 2 games (which I actually agree with), and then tacking on 2 regular season games at the end. There’s been some talk of extending the season by just one extra game to 17, with all teams playing one international game per year, to keep the home/away games even.
Quite simply, this move is profit motivated. Shocking, I know. By swapping out pre-season games for regular season games, the NFL will automatically make more money. And let’s face it, pre-season games suck. Plus, the idea of adding more international games is part of Goodell’s overall plan for globalization of the league. On a business level, do I blame them? No.
But the reality is that the NFL is a brutal sport, and it takes a much larger toll on the athletes than any other sport. Even over 16 games, most teams are already wearing down by the end of the season, and the playoffs are largely determined by which team is lucky enough to stay healthy. If they extend the season any longer, the product on the field is going to suffer, careers will be shortened, and the sport will be watered down even further.
Not sure I’m a huge fan of Mr. Goodell right now, and this move might backfire on the league.
