Keith Rivers OUT FOR THE SEASON (1 Viewer)

[Young 8]

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpag...710&id=4728

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis revealed that LB Keith Rivers has a broken jaw and is likely out for the season.

Rivers suffered the injury on a brutal (but perfectly legal) blindside block by Hines Ward, who obviously has not been deterred from physical play by his recent fines. The rookie Rivers had been one of the few bright spots in a leaky Bengals defense. Expect Brandon Johnson to take over at the WILL linebacker spot going forward.

 

[KellysHeroes]

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpag...710&id=4728

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis revealed that LB Keith Rivers has a broken jaw and is likely out for the season.

Rivers suffered the injury on a brutal (but perfectly legal) blindside block by Hines Ward, who obviously has not been deterred from physical play by his recent fines. The rookie Rivers had been one of the few bright spots in a leaky Bengals defense. Expect Brandon Johnson to take over at the WILL linebacker spot going forward.

ouch... wonder what Ward will say, wonder if he'll get fined

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

So the FF winner here is Dhani Jones?

 

[Jene Bramel]

So the FF winner here is Dhani Jones?

Maybe a little. The winner is Brandon Johnson, who was playing very well in preseason and now gets the base defensive snaps to go with the nickel snaps he was already getting.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Interesting comment here.

Linebacker Brandon Johnson said Ward's hit was an example of the double standard against defensive players in the NFL."If he was a quarterback, it would have been a penalty," said Johnson, who replaced Rivers. "To me, that's one of the biggest discrepancies we have in this league. We protect the guys with the ball. If he'd been a receiver on a crossing route, that's a penalty. If it had been reversed and he'd done it on Hines Ward, it's a penalty."

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Interesting comment here.

Linebacker Brandon Johnson said Ward's hit was an example of the double standard against defensive players in the NFL."If he was a quarterback, it would have been a penalty," said Johnson, who replaced Rivers. "To me, that's one of the biggest discrepancies we have in this league. We protect the guys with the ball. If he'd been a receiver on a crossing route, that's a penalty. If it had been reversed and he'd done it on Hines Ward, it's a penalty."

I think he is spot on with that comment.

 

[KellysHeroes]

any video

 

[mr. furley]

Interesting comment here.

Linebacker Brandon Johnson said Ward's hit was an example of the double standard against defensive players in the NFL."If he was a quarterback, it would have been a penalty," said Johnson, who replaced Rivers. "To me, that's one of the biggest discrepancies we have in this league. We protect the guys with the ball. If he'd been a receiver on a crossing route, that's a penalty. If it had been reversed and he'd done it on Hines Ward, it's a penalty."

I think he is spot on with that comment.

only because the league protects certain players/positionsthat was a clean hit

 

[BigSteelThrill]

any video

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=433782

 

[-baller]

Interesting comment here.

Linebacker Brandon Johnson said Ward's hit was an example of the double standard against defensive players in the NFL."If he was a quarterback, it would have been a penalty," said Johnson, who replaced Rivers. "To me, that's one of the biggest discrepancies we have in this league. We protect the guys with the ball. If he'd been a receiver on a crossing route, that's a penalty. If it had been reversed and he'd done it on Hines Ward, it's a penalty."

I think he is spot on with that comment.

I think he should shut his fat yap.sometimes defensive players really piss me off.edit pslooks like brandon johnson put up 4-3 w/rivers getting knocked out on the 3rd play of the game.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Interesting comment here.

Linebacker Brandon Johnson said Ward's hit was an example of the double standard against defensive players in the NFL."If he was a quarterback, it would have been a penalty," said Johnson, who replaced Rivers. "To me, that's one of the biggest discrepancies we have in this league. We protect the guys with the ball. If he'd been a receiver on a crossing route, that's a penalty. If it had been reversed and he'd done it on Hines Ward, it's a penalty."

I think he is spot on with that comment.

only because the league protects certain players/positionsthat was a clean hit

I think the hit was clean too. But he is right. If that had been Rivers hitting a QB or WR like that, he would get a big fine.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Interesting comment here.

Linebacker Brandon Johnson said Ward's hit was an example of the double standard against defensive players in the NFL."If he was a quarterback, it would have been a penalty," said Johnson, who replaced Rivers. "To me, that's one of the biggest discrepancies we have in this league. We protect the guys with the ball. If he'd been a receiver on a crossing route, that's a penalty. If it had been reversed and he'd done it on Hines Ward, it's a penalty."

I thought this was interesting for two reasons.Firstly, there's a point to be made here about a double standard. I think there's little question that had Keith Rivers hit Hines Ward around the head in a somewhat defenseless position, that he'd have hell to pay. As a fan of defensive football, I think it sucks that a QB or WR can't be leveled near the shoulder pads without a little leeway.However, it gets old hearing things like this from defensive players. They do very similar things on special teams and on change of possession after interceptions and fumble recoveries. Chad Clifton/Warren Sapp was a notable example, but it happens many times every weekend. There'd be no whining if it was a WR on their own team laying that hit on a opposing backer.It's especially annoying hearing it from this particular defense. Justin Smith's cuddle sack penalty aside, this team plays less physically than my 21 month old in the basement. They should be embarrassed and motivated that Hines Ward tuned them up in the first series of the game instead of wondering why Rivers wasn't more upset and fussing over double standards that aren't changing.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Its very iffy to me... it may have been 'quote' CLEAN 'un-quote'; but it was dirty and cheap. A simple push or body check would of done the same job instead of taking the guy out. When they play again, I hope someone in Cinny squares it.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

When they play again, I hope someone in Cinny squares it.

I wouldn't hold your breath. The Ravens have been talking about "getting" Hines Ward for years now.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

A simple push or body check would of done the same job instead of taking the guy out.

Then he would have had to "let up".As a coach (seriously) I would have blistered him and his 26 million dollar contract if he didnt give me an all out effort.The only problem, as I see it, is that frequently when a play really hit another player the helmet will make contact. That hard plastic has no give. I think its time for a scientific upgrade for the helmet - with idea not being for the wearers safety, but for the potential impactee's safety. ointsatMarkKelso:

 

[bcr8f]

I think the hit was clean too. But he is right. If that had been Rivers hitting a QB or WR like that, he would get a big fine.

I don't think it was clean. I think it was legal. I like Ward but think blindside hitting players out of the play(which he does a lot) I think is cowardly. I'd like to see the rules changed to the same as clipping on special teams. Hit people than see you.

 

[bcr8f]

A simple push or body check would of done the same job instead of taking the guy out.

Then he would have had to "let up".As a coach (seriously) I would have blistered him and his 26 million dollar contract if he didnt give me an all out effort.The only problem, as I see it, is that frequently when a play really hit another player the helmet will make contact. That hard plastic has no give. I think its time for a scientific upgrade for the helmet - with idea not being for the wearers safety, but for the potential impactee's safety. ointsatMarkKelso:

No he wouldn't. Instead of launching his helmet into the guy he would just hit him normally.

 

[Sleeperz]

After watching the play countless times, it looked like a legal block/hit in my eyes. But, on the other hand, I also think it was a little cheap and unnecessary. I have always respected the fact that Ward is a great receiver and a total team player. He is constantly blocking and doing what he has to do, even if he isn't involved directly in a play, but this is a bit overboard. It isn't like its the first time he has done it. This happens when a play is just about dead and the guys on the field are slowing up, and here comes Ward full steam to plow someone. It serves no purpose. He gets away with it because the whistle hasn't blown. Some will say "you have to give 100% until the whistle blows, never let up", that is true but use common sense. People use that line without thinking. I played LB for 4 years, and in that time I have seen plenty of hits, crazy blocks, etc.... Your job is to get things done on the field. Ward does that to perfection but goes too far on occasion.

Did he lead with his helmet or his shoulder? It is very hard to tell by the video highlights. Although looking at some of the other clips like the hits on Reed and Scott, it looked like he was headhunting with his helmet which is a big no-no. There are rules instated to protect all of the players on the field. If the defensive players on the field have to abide by these rules and are reprimanded bu the league when they break the rules, so should the offensive players, period. Rivers would have been thrashed if he knocked Ward out for the season with a hit like that. Just look at Bernard Pollard in the first game of the season.

 

[bcr8f]

From EofG(non subscribers please turn your eyes elsewhere )

The broken jaw that landed Keith Rivers on IR may actually provide IDP owners with some opportunity. Brandon Johnson will replace Rivers at WLB and should be considerably more productive than was Rivers. Not because he is a better player but because he is a good player who will now have an every down role. Prior to the injury Rivers was a 2 down WLB with Johnson replacing him in the nickel. Johnson will now collect all the playing time. His 4-3 versus Pittsburgh wasn't impressive but it was tied with Jackson for the team lead in the game. Don't be surprised if Johnson is in the mix for the team tackle lead over the second half of the season.

 

[T.A.]

Instead of launching his helmet into the guy he would just hit him normally.

Should he launch his shoulder/arm into a block? You say "no"? I'd find that to be absurd, he should deliver punishing blocks when possible.

 

[treat88]

Instead of launching his helmet into the guy he would just hit him normally.

Should he launch his shoulder/arm into a block? You say "no"? I'd find that to be absurd, he should deliver punishing blocks when possible.

Absolutely correct.Never ease up. It is the quickest way to get yourself hurt.

Part of football is breaking the other guy's will and punishing them as much as possible. As long as it is clean, as this hit was, inflicting pain is part of winning.

 

[bcr8f]

Instead of launching his helmet into the guy he would just hit him normally.

Should he launch his shoulder/arm into a block? You say "no"? I'd find that to be absurd, he should deliver punishing blocks when possible.

Absolutely correct.Never ease up. It is the quickest way to get yourself hurt.

Part of football is breaking the other guy's will and punishing them as much as possible. As long as it is clean, as this hit was, inflicting pain is part of winning.

Completely different situations. One the player is making a play this he was just standing away from the play. You Ward apoligists will say anything to make a point.Breaking the other team's will? All this does is piss off the other team and distract your team in future games looking for retaliatory hits.

 

[treat88]

Instead of launching his helmet into the guy he would just hit him normally.

Should he launch his shoulder/arm into a block? You say "no"? I'd find that to be absurd, he should deliver punishing blocks when possible.

Absolutely correct.Never ease up. It is the quickest way to get yourself hurt.

Part of football is breaking the other guy's will and punishing them as much as possible. As long as it is clean, as this hit was, inflicting pain is part of winning.

Completely different situations. One the player is making a play this he was just standing away from the play. You Ward apoligists will say anything to make a point.Breaking the other team's will? All this does is piss off the other team and distract your team in future games looking for retaliatory hits.

He made a block right next to the play. Rivers would have been in on the hit if Ward didn't make that block. Ball carrier probably got 2-3 extra yards because of this hit.No clue what you are talking about standing away from the play.

As to the distraction...who seems distracted? Ward/Steelers or Suggs/Ravens, etc. Pissed off is distracted.

Maybe the NFL should institute a rule that prior to making a block/hit a player must yell, "Ready or not, here I come" All the two hand touch advocates would love that one I bet.

 

[bcr8f]

Open up sideline hitting. Players and coaches could yell something to players and they need to have their heads on a swivel too.

I want the same rules as a clip.

 

[KellysHeroes]

hows Johnson been playing? He had decent stats last week w/ the extra Q to play.... Freaking Jones is usless