the play to ward where he stiff arms poteat....how is it that a WR can grab the facemask and push like that and thats not a penalty. it is obvious that poteats head went back and to the side because of this. i understand the stiff arm. but that just seems like it should be an illeagal hands to the face penalty. ive been watching football for a long time and ive seen it 1000 times. i just just dont get how the WR gets away with that kind of a move but if the defense does it they get flagged...anyone?
i think they don?t want to ruin the stiff arm move, cuz fans like to see that. if it?s not for the qbs, satisfying the crowd is more important than players health
An offensive player with his hand on the face mask is not trying to bring the opponent down, which is what makes the play dangerous when a defensive player is doing it.
Because when you are on defense, you are trying to bring the ball carrier down. Thus, a player can be sprinting towards one way and if the defender pulls on the face mask, causing his head to go the other way, the ball carrier can be paralyzed for life very easily. However, when you are the ball carrier, and you put your arm on the defender's face you are not trying to bring him down. You are trying to mis-direct him. Also, in most cases both players are moving at a very slow pace so no injury can really happen.
i know why it cant be done when on D...i just dont get how the WR could grab a hold of the defenders facemask like that. ward had his hand wrapped around hanks facemask and had his head cocked straight up and bent back. it just seems that the offense isnt held to the same standards....
As far as stiff arms go, it's a runner's best weapon. "talk to the hand" hahahah. I saw the play too and have to admit there seemed like a LOT of stiff hand going on.
I see what you're saying but the other point to be made here is that they are on offense to score points. The NFL has altered the rules of the game the last few years to create more points with fantasy football and all. People want to see TDs, so you won't see the NFL make these illegal.
Ward isnt trying to rip poteat's head to the ground with all of his strength. thats why its not illegal.. A defender cannot do it to a offensive player due to the fact that it can injure a player to take them down by the helmet.
Intersting point however, I believe there is a penalty called illegal hands to the face. When this is called it does not appear to be based on a player trying to bring another player down. I am not sure that a stiff arm to the head gear is any different.
