Helmet to Helmet Overreaction???

**rock_lobster** · 10-25-10, 02:04 AM

So do you guys think the NFL and/or media is overreacting to last weeks big hits?

**rock_lobster** · 10-25-10, 02:07 AM

The fact that they are gonna fine hits like Harrison's and Robinson's, makes me lean towards yes.

The media most definitely is overreacting. I spent 2 hours of the Saints/Browns game listening to the announcers discuss helmet to helmet rules, not to mention this subject is getting more attention on ESPN and Sportscenter than when Favre was contemplating coming back into the league......geesh, shut up already.

**flame** · 10-25-10, 02:30 AM

I think it is a very serious issue and in the past few years players have been leading more and more with the head. It is very dangerous, the trend needs to stop. It takes lots of focus to create a full out culture change, but that is what is needed to prevent more injuries.

**rock_lobster** · 10-25-10, 02:39 AM

Originally Posted by flame

I think it is a very serious issue and in the past few years players have been leading more and more with the head. It is very dangerous, the trend needs to stop. It takes lots of focus to create a full out culture change, but that is what is needed to prevent more injuries.

I agree, but the only hit last week that deserved a fine and/or suspension was the Merriweather hit. They fined Robinson, and his helmet didn't even come close to DeSean Jackson's helmet. I'm all about player safety, but I think the league is making a big issue out of hits that were legal under the rules that THEY wrote.

**flame** · 10-25-10, 02:43 AM

An over exaggeration of the rules may be what it takes. If it prevents the life ending injuries, its worth it.

**rock_lobster** · 10-25-10, 03:00 AM

Originally Posted by flame

An over exaggeration of the rules may be what it takes. If it prevents the life ending injuries, its worth it.

Then change the rules. That's like saying, there's a rule that once you go out of bounds, you're down and the play is dead, but sometimes we'll ignore the rule when the refs make a judgment call and decide to overlook the rule for that play.

I'm all about player safety, but don't "over exaggerate" the rule and fine/suspend players when they do something that the rules specifically say they can do.

If you get shouldered going across the middle and get knocked out (w/o any helmet contact nor leading with the helmet), then you can't fine a player for that....which will be the ultimate consequence if someone has a concussion or some injury.

I even heard on CBS today that they may make the suspension as long as the injury lasts on the player who was hit. It's getting a bit out of hand.

**ATXPLEX** · 10-31-10, 05:21 PM

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-networ...elf-protection

I think that some of the reaction is over blown. Watch this and see how, on most of the collisions in that week, the recievers made critical mistakes against zone coverage. i like big plays and i feel that there needed to be some warning to defenders. The receivers need a wake up call and so do the defenders.

**DuDDy** · 10-31-10, 06:33 PM

Ya after seeing all these so called "illegal" hits about a 10000000 times the last few weeks, it is a huge over reaction by the NFL.

**Red_Lizard2** · 10-31-10, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by ATXPLEX

Watch this and see how, on most of the collisions in that week, the recievers made critical mistakes against zone coverage. i like big plays and i feel that there needed to be some warning to defenders. The receivers need a wake up call and so do the defenders.

They play on offense though, so they have to be protected from defenders (or so seems to be the NFL's opinion on...every decision). The only hit that should of been a suspension was Merriweather's from 2 weeks ago.

**Consultant** · 11-01-10, 09:52 AM

IMHO - fines dont send the message, if a player hits another player with the crown of his helmet in an apparent attempt to injure the other player, I say suspend them a week. The head is not a weapon. The helmet is there to protect your brain, not as a battering ram.