Hit on McGahee... Illegal? (1 Viewer)

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Legal hit.

I notice that it is only in super slow motion that people can even pick out what happened, both players actively reacting right up to the impact, the tackler pulling his head and rotating towards his shoulder, and the runner inexplicably ducking his head right into the hit. My point here is that the tackler cannot be expected to anticipate the ball carrier's reaction, and he does not get to react to a slow motion replay. For it to be a dirty hit it needs be intentional, or at least done out of habit with the habit is to blame. Here there was no time for intention to form. Also not illegal, not even close.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Legal hit.I notice that it is only in super slow motion that people can even pick out what happened, both players actively reacting right up to the impact, the tackler pulling his head and rotating towards his shoulder, and the runner inexplicably ducking his head right into the hit. My point here is that the tackler cannot be expected to anticipate the ball carrier's reaction, and he does not get to react to a slow motion replay. For it to be a dirty hit it needs be intentional, or at least done out of habit with the habit is to blame. Here there was no time for intention to form. Also not illegal, not even close.

What he said.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Either lay the lumber or have McGahee run you over and risk injuring yourself. I can't think of anything much more dangerous in that situation than pulling up on a Willis McGahee when he lowers his shoulder on you with a full head of steam. Hit or be hit.

Or learn to tackle the way we've been taught, by wrapping up and driving through the mid section, with your HEAD UP

I don't think there is a coach in the NFL that would have a problem with the hit or its outcome on the game.Low man wins. Clark got low and McGahee tried to get low and in the process they had a violent collision. That's football, that is why these guys deserve every penny they are paid.

 

[switz]

Either lay the lumber or have McGahee run you over and risk injuring yourself. I can't think of anything much more dangerous in that situation than pulling up on a Willis McGahee when he lowers his shoulder on you with a full head of steam. Hit or be hit.

Or learn to tackle the way we've been taught, by wrapping up and driving through the mid section, with your HEAD UP

Impossible. Watch/play organized tackle football sometime.

Thanks for showing you never have...

 

[HellToupee]

Either lay the lumber or have McGahee run you over and risk injuring yourself. I can't think of anything much more dangerous in that situation than pulling up on a Willis McGahee when he lowers his shoulder on you with a full head of steam. Hit or be hit.

Or learn to tackle the way we've been taught, by wrapping up and driving through the mid section, with your HEAD UP

Impossible. Watch/play organized tackle football sometime.

Thanks for showing you never have...

I agree with Choke here

 

[switz]

Either lay the lumber or have McGahee run you over and risk injuring yourself. I can't think of anything much more dangerous in that situation than pulling up on a Willis McGahee when he lowers his shoulder on you with a full head of steam. Hit or be hit.

Or learn to tackle the way we've been taught, by wrapping up and driving through the mid section, with your HEAD UP

Impossible. Watch/play organized tackle football sometime.

Thanks for showing you never have...

Played 6 years. Not counting pop warner.I'll admit, I was a QB... but defenders bracing for a heavy impact dont intentionally bend their neck up. They try and keep it level and thus allow the muscle to support the collision, not the spine. Its natural. Take a look at dumb ### Trent Green hitting the wall. They also tend to pull up there shoulders (towards ears) to try and protect their neck...and again, its natural. Instinctive.

Ah... I thought you were saying wrapping a guy up, and driving through the midsection was impossible. I agree it's natural to brace yourself for impact, but you are taught to see the guy you hit... and bracing up is a bit different than ducking your head altogether...Clark could have taken McGahee down without headhunting IMO

 

[slayer666]

Two guys playing football collided on the field. Go figure.

 

[jurb26]

Either lay the lumber or have McGahee run you over and risk injuring yourself. I can't think of anything much more dangerous in that situation than pulling up on a Willis McGahee when he lowers his shoulder on you with a full head of steam. Hit or be hit.

Or learn to tackle the way we've been taught, by wrapping up and driving through the mid section, with your HEAD UP

Impossible. Watch/play organized tackle football sometime.

Thanks for showing you never have...

Played 6 years. Not counting pop warner.I'll admit, I was a QB... but defenders bracing for a heavy impact dont intentionally bend their neck up. They try and keep it level and thus allow the muscle to support the collision, not the spine. Its natural. Take a look at dumb ### Trent Green hitting the wall. They also tend to pull up there shoulders (towards ears) to try and protect their neck...and again, its natural. Instinctive.

Ah... I thought you were saying wrapping a guy up, and driving through the midsection was impossible. I agree it's natural to brace yourself for impact, but you are taught to see the guy you hit... and bracing up is a bit different than ducking your head altogether...Clark could have taken McGahee down without headhunting IMO

Yes, he could have taken McGahee down w/o headhunting. I would agree with you that it does appear that is what he was doing too.... going for the "kill shot" and not so much the tackle. He didn't get low, didn't wrap up and left his feet. All that said, it wasn't illegal.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Not that he is the authority on this sort of thing or anything, but Ron Jaworski just said on PTI that he watched the coaches tape of that hit about 50 times and said it was absolutely a clean hit. Take that for what it is worth.

 

[Sea Bass]

#43 would have hit him lower.

 

[bryhamm]

Either lay the lumber or have McGahee run you over and risk injuring yourself. I can't think of anything much more dangerous in that situation than pulling up on a Willis McGahee when he lowers his shoulder on you with a full head of steam. Hit or be hit.

Or learn to tackle the way we've been taught, by wrapping up and driving through the mid section, with your HEAD UP

Impossible. Watch/play organized tackle football sometime.

Thanks for showing you never have...

Played 6 years. Not counting pop warner.I'll admit, I was a QB... but defenders bracing for a heavy impact dont intentionally bend their neck up. They try and keep it level and thus allow the muscle to support the collision, not the spine. Its natural. Take a look at dumb ### Trent Green hitting the wall. They also tend to pull up there shoulders (towards ears) to try and protect their neck...and again, its natural. Instinctive.

Ah... I thought you were saying wrapping a guy up, and driving through the midsection was impossible. I agree it's natural to brace yourself for impact, but you are taught to see the guy you hit... and bracing up is a bit different than ducking your head altogether...Clark could have taken McGahee down without headhunting IMO

Yes, he could have taken McGahee down w/o headhunting. I would agree with you that it does appear that is what he was doing too.... going for the "kill shot" and not so much the tackle. He didn't get low, didn't wrap up and left his feet. All that said, it wasn't illegal.

Why do people keep saying this when it is absolutely not true? There are pictures in many of these threads specifically showing Clark still on the ground when he hit McGahee.

 

[jurb26]

Either lay the lumber or have McGahee run you over and risk injuring yourself. I can't think of anything much more dangerous in that situation than pulling up on a Willis McGahee when he lowers his shoulder on you with a full head of steam. Hit or be hit.

Or learn to tackle the way we've been taught, by wrapping up and driving through the mid section, with your HEAD UP

Impossible. Watch/play organized tackle football sometime.

Thanks for showing you never have...

Played 6 years. Not counting pop warner.I'll admit, I was a QB... but defenders bracing for a heavy impact dont intentionally bend their neck up. They try and keep it level and thus allow the muscle to support the collision, not the spine. Its natural. Take a look at dumb ### Trent Green hitting the wall. They also tend to pull up there shoulders (towards ears) to try and protect their neck...and again, its natural. Instinctive.

Ah... I thought you were saying wrapping a guy up, and driving through the midsection was impossible. I agree it's natural to brace yourself for impact, but you are taught to see the guy you hit... and bracing up is a bit different than ducking your head altogether...Clark could have taken McGahee down without headhunting IMO

Yes, he could have taken McGahee down w/o headhunting. I would agree with you that it does appear that is what he was doing too.... going for the "kill shot" and not so much the tackle. He didn't get low, didn't wrap up and left his feet. All that said, it wasn't illegal.

Why do people keep saying this when it is absolutely not true? There are pictures in many of these threads specifically showing Clark still on the ground when he hit McGahee.

Maybe because it is plainly obvious when in
at 0:41 that he is leaving his feet to go for the kill shot....Pause it. It's plain as day. Not sure why you guys seem intent on defending that. It doesn't make it illegal.

 

[treat88]

Clark could have taken McGahee down without headhunting IMO

First he wasn't headhunting.Second, I'm glad Mcgahee is okay.Third, sure he could have wrapped and dragged him to the ground.No way would he have caused the game ending fumble and sealed the deal for his coach and teammates if he goes half speed.Very different mentalities. That kind of split second aggression can't be taught and is exactly what wins teams championships.The Cards are professionals and know the game, but that play will be in every receivers mind on their crossing routes in the SB.

 

[Sinrman]

Well, here's my thing -- was it legal? Apparently so, as he was never flagged. The commentators both agree it was legal and explained why (just as I am screaming to my wife saying it was "helmet to helmet" and that it shoulda been flagged). It'll likely get reviewed, and who knows if he'll get fined and/or suspended (doubtful on both).

But my real question here is that if this had happened to a QB, they would have flagged the hell outta him. Why is it different for other positions?

 

[Delusions Of Adequacy]

People, there is no such thing as an 'illegal head to head hit' on a running back carrying the ball.

candidate for worst thread of the new year.

 

[Sheriff66]

Either lay the lumber or have McGahee run you over and risk injuring yourself. I can't think of anything much more dangerous in that situation than pulling up on a Willis McGahee when he lowers his shoulder on you with a full head of steam. Hit or be hit.

Or learn to tackle the way we've been taught, by wrapping up and driving through the mid section, with your HEAD UP

Impossible. Watch/play organized tackle football sometime.

Thanks for showing you never have...

Played 6 years. Not counting pop warner.I'll admit, I was a QB... but defenders bracing for a heavy impact dont intentionally bend their neck up. They try and keep it level and thus allow the muscle to support the collision, not the spine. Its natural. Take a look at dumb ### Trent Green hitting the wall. They also tend to pull up there shoulders (towards ears) to try and protect their neck...and again, its natural. Instinctive.

Ah... I thought you were saying wrapping a guy up, and driving through the midsection was impossible. I agree it's natural to brace yourself for impact, but you are taught to see the guy you hit... and bracing up is a bit different than ducking your head altogether...Clark could have taken McGahee down without headhunting IMO

Yes, he could have taken McGahee down w/o headhunting. I would agree with you that it does appear that is what he was doing too.... going for the "kill shot" and not so much the tackle. He didn't get low, didn't wrap up and left his feet. All that said, it wasn't illegal.

Why do people keep saying this when it is absolutely not true? There are pictures in many of these threads specifically showing Clark still on the ground when he hit McGahee.

Maybe because it is plainly obvious when in

WRONG Go to the 55 second mark of the same video, his feet never leave the ground until after the blow is delivered.

 

[jurb26]

Either lay the lumber or have McGahee run you over and risk injuring yourself. I can't think of anything much more dangerous in that situation than pulling up on a Willis McGahee when he lowers his shoulder on you with a full head of steam. Hit or be hit.

Or learn to tackle the way we've been taught, by wrapping up and driving through the mid section, with your HEAD UP

Impossible. Watch/play organized tackle football sometime.

Thanks for showing you never have...

Played 6 years. Not counting pop warner.I'll admit, I was a QB... but defenders bracing for a heavy impact dont intentionally bend their neck up. They try and keep it level and thus allow the muscle to support the collision, not the spine. Its natural. Take a look at dumb ### Trent Green hitting the wall. They also tend to pull up there shoulders (towards ears) to try and protect their neck...and again, its natural. Instinctive.

Ah... I thought you were saying wrapping a guy up, and driving through the midsection was impossible. I agree it's natural to brace yourself for impact, but you are taught to see the guy you hit... and bracing up is a bit different than ducking your head altogether...Clark could have taken McGahee down without headhunting IMO

Yes, he could have taken McGahee down w/o headhunting. I would agree with you that it does appear that is what he was doing too.... going for the "kill shot" and not so much the tackle. He didn't get low, didn't wrap up and left his feet. All that said, it wasn't illegal.

Why do people keep saying this when it is absolutely not true? There are pictures in many of these threads specifically showing Clark still on the ground when he hit McGahee.

Maybe because it is plainly obvious when in

Whatever you guys say.

 

[treat88]

People, there is no such thing as an 'illegal head to head hit' on a running back carrying the ball.candidate for worst thread of the new year.

Most important point of all.Defenseless WR's and QB's only.Leading with the crown is another penalty all together.

 

[Stillers Jr.]

Hard hit, not an illegal one.

If that were illegal B. Dawkins would have multiple illegal hits each game...

Talk about leading with your helmet...Bdawk has made a living of doing that.

 

[identikit]

KFFL) Mike Reiss, of the Boston Globe, reports Pittsburgh Steelers FS Ryan Clark will not be fined for his hit on Baltimore Ravens RB Willis McGahee in the AFC Championship.

 

[Spike]

He led with his shoulder. The helmet contact happened because McGahee lowered his head (understandably) in preparation for the hit. I know opinions all over the map on this one, but I have seen the replay numerous times and am still convinced that, while brutal, it was relatively clean.

 

[Sheriff66]

double post

 

[Sheriff66]

Whatever you guys say.

You're telling me his feet are off the ground at the :55 mark before he hits him?

 

[Evilgrin 72]

KFFL) Mike Reiss, of the Boston Globe, reports Pittsburgh Steelers FS Ryan Clark will not be fined for his hit on Baltimore Ravens RB Willis McGahee in the AFC Championship.

Imagine that !I'm sure there will still be a few people saying it was illegal regardless.

 

[Stillers Jr.]

KFFL) Mike Reiss, of the Boston Globe, reports Pittsburgh Steelers FS Ryan Clark will not be fined for his hit on Baltimore Ravens RB Willis McGahee in the AFC Championship.

Imagine that !I'm sure there will still be a few people saying it was illegal regardless.

Just like people still swear the Santonio did not cross the goal line the 2nd time we beat the Ravens even after the NFL reviewed it and said it was absolutely a score.The mind sees what it wants to see.

 

[BusterTBronco]

It was a helmet to helmet hit. Heck yeah it was illegal.

 

[DropKick]

People, there is no such thing as an 'illegal head to head hit' on a running back carrying the ball.candidate for worst thread of the new year.

Most important point of all.Defenseless WR's and QB's only.Leading with the crown is another penalty all together.

It was a reception. Is McGahee not afforded the same protection as any other receiver?Looks like he led with his helmet to me. Just asking for trouble.

 

[two_dollars]

It was a helmet to helmet hit. Heck yeah it was illegal.

Helmet to helmet is not illegal when it's a RB carrying a ball. Do you have any idea how many "illegal" hits there would be called on 3-4 yard carries up the middle?Know the rules!

 

[Stillers Jr.]

It was a helmet to helmet hit. Heck yeah it was illegal.

Well, then I'd write a strongly worded letter to the commissioner himself to let him know how you feel.

 

[two_dollars]

People, there is no such thing as an 'illegal head to head hit' on a running back carrying the ball.candidate for worst thread of the new year.

Most important point of all.Defenseless WR's and QB's only.Leading with the crown is another penalty all together.

It was a reception. Is McGahee not afforded the same protection as any other receiver?Looks like he led with his helmet to me. Just asking for trouble.

As I understand, helmet to helmet is fine on a reception, after the catch, when the carrier is in the act of running. He is no longer defenseless.. I'll try to find the actual rule.

 

[two_dollars]

Looks like he led with his helmet to me.

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/uploa...lis_mcgahee.jpg

that pretty much ends the thread, good posting!

 

[two_dollars]

People, there is no such thing as an 'illegal head to head hit' on a running back carrying the ball.candidate for worst thread of the new year.

Most important point of all.Defenseless WR's and QB's only.Leading with the crown is another penalty all together.

It was a reception. Is McGahee not afforded the same protection as any other receiver?Looks like he led with his helmet to me. Just asking for trouble.

As I understand, helmet to helmet is fine on a reception, after the catch, when the carrier is in the act of running. He is no longer defenseless.. I'll try to find the actual rule.

Can't copy/paste it off a .pdf filebut the description can be found at Rule 12, section 2, article 8, subsection (g).

 

[sizzer55]

when two guys are running full speed directly at each other, i don't see how you can wrap up. there is going to be a collision. the ball carrier is responsible for dodging the hit as best as he can and protect himself and the football the best that he can. the defensive player was just doing his job by putting a lick on the ball carrier. it was such a quick bang-bang play that i don't think either guy really had much time to react or plan anything (hence, BOTH guys getting injured. one more than the other.) the guy led with his shoulder and not his head and it sounds like it isn't illegal for him to lead with his head anyway.

i think it was just two guys going all-out in one of, if not the most important game of their lives. the defender was trying to get there as quick as possible and cause an incompletion or fumble and willis didn't have enough time to to brace himself or avoid the brunt of the impact, but i definitely wouldn't call him anything close to "defenseless". i hope he recovers fully.

 

[DropKick]

Looks like he led with his helmet to me.

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/uploa...lis_mcgahee.jpg

A still frame photo from just after the point where their helmets collided? Nice try.

 

[DropKick]

Looks like he led with his helmet to me.

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/uploa...lis_mcgahee.jpg

A still frame photo from just after the point where their helmets collided? Nice try.

Helmets CAN hit. Even initially.You said, and I quote... "he led with his helmet".

Which that picture (and the videos) totally show you to be completely wrong.

The truth: He led with his shoulder and the helmet still connected.

Or he led with his helmet and the shoulder still connected. Do you like that better? What's the difference?Check out his arms on the play. He's launching himself.

But, hey, I really enjoyed the still frame shot.

 

[Godsbrother]

Clark could have taken McGahee down without headhunting IMO

Clark did what he was supposed to do -- separate the ball from the ball carrier -- and he did it in a perfectly legal way according to the NFL and every analyst I heard discussing it. It was unfortunate that McGahee was injured but football is a contact sport and there are going to be injuries. Fortunately McGahee (and Clark who was also shaken up on the play) are okay.

 

[DropKick]

Looks like he led with his helmet to me.

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/uploa...lis_mcgahee.jpg

A still frame photo from just after the point where their helmets collided? Nice try.

Helmets CAN hit. Even initially.You said, and I quote... "he led with his helmet".

Which that picture (and the videos) totally show you to be completely wrong.

The truth: He led with his shoulder and the helmet still connected.

Or he led with his helmet and the shoulder still connected. Do you like that better? What's the difference?Check out his arms on the play. He's launching himself.

But, hey, I really enjoyed the still frame shot.

WAIT! What?You are saying you CANNOT see that the shoulder is out in front (towards the ballcarrier) ahead of the helmet?

GTFOOH!

PS: You can launch yourself all day long. Every single play.

Yes, the helmet hits first. Go to the 1:06 mark and stop it just prior to contact.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaGJcfjTTFc

Why don't you spend some time on the video and justify why you think that tackling technique has merit. Like, I said he doesn't even use his arms to wrap up the ball carrier. Its a designed collision to knock down the ball carrier and its dangerous. There is a reason both men stayed down. Clark is lucky that Willis took the brunt of it based on his head/neck position.

 

[HellToupee]

I'm stunned that people think helmets never hit

go to any HS game and walk the sidelines. Look at the helmets ,if you see any clean ones with no foreign paint you'll see a player that never gets on the field

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Dead issue. No flag, NFL reviewed it, no fine. According to the league, it was a legal hit, therefore it's a legal hit, regardless of what a fraction of posters on a message board think.

 

[Franknbeans]

People, there is no such thing as an 'illegal head to head hit' on a running back carrying the ball.candidate for worst thread of the new year.

No chit. If there was, the games would take over 4 hours because of all the flags thrown. Runners and tacklers make head to head contact many times throughout the course of a game.

 

[monessen]

Here's a photo and article of McGahee laughing with reporters at his locker on Monday. He is fine, just sore.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/footbal...story?track=rss

Steeler-haters, shut up and deal with it. There is no controversy here. Ryan Clark is no Jack Tatum.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Amazed at how few people here understand football. Good, clean, legal hardnosed football.

I did find it interesting that both players shied away from the contact to the point that their fundamentals were quite poor. The tackler rotated to lead with his shoulder and was rotating to actually lead with the back of his shoulder. The back of the shoulder having neither eyes nor arms this is pretty crappy technique. The ball carrier ducked his head down into the top of the tacklers helmet which is understandable, he needs to hunch and close around the ball. What was inexcusable was that he allowed his feet to get out in front of his body. A backward leaning runner is a stretcher case waiting to happen. If McGahee had forward lean, and some high knee action he retains the ball, knocks Clark out, and gains additional yardage. Talk about a back who is played out. If he or Jamal Lewis find employment next year I would be shocked. It would not speak well for the talent on the team resorting to employing their services.

 

[rotohuff]

He led with his shoulder. The helmet contact happened because McGahee lowered his head (understandably) in preparation for the hit. I know opinions all over the map on this one, but I have seen the replay numerous times and am still convinced that, while brutal, it was relatively clean.

 

[DropKick]

Looks like he led with his helmet to me.

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/uploa...lis_mcgahee.jpg

A still frame photo from just after the point where their helmets collided? Nice try.

Helmets CAN hit. Even initially.You said, and I quote... "he led with his helmet".

Which that picture (and the videos) totally show you to be completely wrong.

The truth: He led with his shoulder and the helmet still connected.

Or he led with his helmet and the shoulder still connected. Do you like that better? What's the difference?Check out his arms on the play. He's launching himself.

But, hey, I really enjoyed the still frame shot.

WAIT! What?You are saying you CANNOT see that the shoulder is out in front (towards the ballcarrier) ahead of the helmet?

GTFOOH!

PS: You can launch yourself all day long. Every single play.

Yes, the helmet hits first. Go to the 1:06 mark and stop it just prior to contact.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaGJcfjTTFc

Why don't you spend some time on the video and justify why you think that tackling technique has merit. Like, I said he doesn't even use his arms to wrap up the ball carrier. Its a designed collision to knock down the ball carrier and its dangerous. There is a reason both men stayed down. Clark is lucky that Willis took the brunt of it based on his head/neck position.

That video proves my point. He pulls his head away from the contact and put his shoulder towards it.

LOL at "pulls his head away". Helmet hits first. Period. That's why Clark didn't get up either.Why not discuss the issue on its own merit rather than simply take the side you feel obligated to as a fan? I'm not singling out Clark or the Steelers here.

And I understand that helmets hit in football. That is really not the point. Its the technique that raises the liklihood of injury. I'm not saying this was intentional but if you choose not to wrap a guy up but to "tackle" by making yourself a missile or battering ram these things will happen some percentage of the time. This technique has become common in the NFL and they should do something about it.

Will they? ESPN loves it. I think the NFL does to, to a degree. Its kind of the same sham where the NHL says they don't condone fighting. Fans like fighting. Fans like big hits.

Should they? Of course... I'm getting tired of watching players kneel in prayer.

 

[DropKick]

He led with his shoulder. The helmet contact happened because McGahee lowered his head (understandably) in preparation for the hit. I know opinions all over the map on this one, but I have seen the replay numerous times and am still convinced that, while brutal, it was relatively clean.

He may have tried to lead with his shoulder but he led with his head/shoulder. I understand their proximity and how its is very difficult to not make head contact, especially at game speed. You can watch the video at the 1:44 mark (where it is slowed down) to see best the helmet on helmet initial contact. My concern, as I described in the post above, is this particular tacking technique where the defender "rams" the ball carrier is prone to this type of result.

 

[teamroc]

He led with his shoulder. The helmet contact happened because McGahee lowered his head (understandably) in preparation for the hit. I know opinions all over the map on this one, but I have seen the replay numerous times and am still convinced that, while brutal, it was relatively clean.

He may have tried to lead with his shoulder but he led with his head/shoulder. I understand their proximity and how its is very difficult to not make head contact, especially at game speed. You can watch the video at the 1:44 mark (where it is slowed down) to see best the helmet on helmet initial contact. My concern, as I described in the post above, is this particular tacking technique where the defender "rams" the ball carrier is prone to this type of result.

 

[Godsbrother]

The NFL has reviewed the hit and said was legal. No penalty, no fine. End of thread.

 

[monessen]

The reason this issue cannot be discussed in and of itself is because that wasn't the motivation behind it. If McGahee doesn't fumble and the ball recovered by Pgh (game essentially over), no one is discussing the "legality" of the hit. As far as I know, McGahee has not filed assault charges. Why not? All he got was his bell rung in a collision sport.

Want to see some hits on "defenseless" players? Watch Ray Lewis ram his helmet into Tennessee's Steve McNair's and Eddie George's when those teams battled in the playoffs several years ago before the refs started to crack down on that type of brutality.

No one wants to see players kneeling in prayer (though it is heartening that they do, particularly when it is BOTH teams in a nonpartisan manner), but there are Steeler-haters who knew the outcome was determined when Clark leveled Willis who then lost the pigskin, enabling Pgh to run out the clock. And it is that hard-to-swallow development that seems to be fueling some non-existent issue here. The NFL has determined that Clark did nothing improper and will not fine him. Pittsburgh is looking ahead to the Super Bowl. Baltimore has an excellent team and will re-tool and likely be back in contention next year. For those who think Clark was headhunting, I reiterate that Jack Tatum back in the day would've regarded Clark's play as a pale version of what Tatum did most every Sunday.

 

[treat88]

He may have tried to lead with his shoulder but he led with his head/shoulder.

Which is 100% legal if the crown of the helmet is not used or done to a QB or a defenseless receiver.The whole discussion is irrelevant. Helmet to helmet is legal except in the above situations.

 

[parrot]

For those who think Clark was headhunting, I reiterate that Jack Tatum back in the day would've regarded Clark's play as a pale version of what Tatum did most every Sunday.

Of course he would have, but the rules have changed drastically from Tatum's day(largely due to Tatum). Using Tatum's tactics now would get you summarily ejected, Clark may be a headhunter but I assume he's not stupid.