This hit should not be a penalty in my opinion. The titans player was trying to catch the returner and make the tackle and he wasn't "defenseless" and he lowered his head before the hit. This is a great example of a play that should be part of football and which they are trying to make illegal. Its a hard hit. The guy got knocked out for a second. Thats part of football - or at least it used to be before they started changing / ruining the game.
I forgot about this, and I've actually changed my mind now. If Eric Smith was suspended for that hit on Boldin, surely this hit deserves a suspension. If he isn't the league is clearly showing a bias. Especially after the emphasis on player safety this year.
I'm as big a Jet fan as anyone, but this Jet bias is ridiculous. It was a clean face to face hit ... nothing malicious about it. helmet to helmet yes. But worhty of a suspension? Come on guys. That's ludicrous. What was Brackett supposed to do ... Ole' him and allow him to pursue the tackle??
So answer my question - Bart Scott makes this hit on Peyton Manning on Saturday evening as he blocks him during a fumble return by the Jets and lays him out cold on the turf. You're presumably fine with it, and will be protesting any flag, fine or suspension for Scott?
Oh...Im sorry. I thought we were talking about the Brackett hit in the OP. My bad. Still say he wasn't looking at him?
I already told you, a last second realisation of an unavoidable cheap shot does not make it fair. Now answer the question. Identical hit, Bart Scott on Peyton Manning. Still not a dangerous blindside hit deserving of punishment? Your pointed refusal to answer my question speaks volumes.
If you read the rule it is breaking it whether we like it or not. This is the exact reason why it's called the "Hines Ward rule", same type of block where he broke the dudes jaw. Poor quality but you can see it. In todays NFL I would not be surprised if he is suspended. [YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPbraVljIrc[/YOUTUBE]
That was a good hit. Dude just got lit up. Deal with it. Suspension for that would be laughable. Fine maybe but no way suspension.
JE ... seriously ... just freeze the video at exactly 16 seconds and tell me what exactly was Brackett supposed to do? What would you expect our guys to do ... allow him to make the tackle?
Some people have got their Jets goggles on. No way he should be suspended for a playoff game. The only thing wrong I saw was he lead with his helmet to another helmet.
Ummmm........if Peyton is looking right at him and lowers his head to the level where Scotts head is already coming at him, I would say no, it's not. (This is where you call me a liar.............) Any more hypothetical situations you care to discuss or can we go back to the OP now?
He led with his head. Clear as day. It's as dangerous for the blocker as it is for the blockee. The league has correctly decided that it doesn't want 60 year old retards smearing pudding all over themselves and wearing diapers as the by-product of a 3-7 year NFL career. Somehow they think that's a bad thing. Go figure. This is one of the few rules that runs counter to the owners' interests, and they agree to it anyway. That's not "pussifying" the game. And, yes, the Titan dude lowered his head into it. What would YOU do? Take a helmet to the grill? Or, would you duck into to to protect yourself? There's only one answer here, by the by.
I would expect our guys, under the current rules particularly, to block, which is usually defined as obstructing the opposition player's progress with the body, not creating a full speed helmet-to-helmet arms down collision. There was nothing stopping him shoving hard in Amato's shoulder with his arms, he chose to make a far more devastating hit.
