NFL might start suspending over flagrant hits that are currently illeg (1 Viewer)

[ScottyFargo]

Why does the discussion have to go that route?I'm saying a natural result of the new enforcement policy will be a lowering of the defender's target zone.That's going to result in more shots to the legs and knees. Am I off base?My question was is that a good thing or a bad thing and as fans are we cool with the fact that we will likely see an increase in knee injuries?

That's a bit of a leap. Players would already be targetting that area if it were the most effective way for them to tackle a player. On KRs players dive for knees and ankles. It all boils down to the fact that defenders have more options to tackle or attack the football, but find it easier to spear with helmets and disrupt plays.

 

[RudeDog]

I think I've come up with the solution to this problem...

Defensive players are free to spear/launch themselves at offesnsive players under certain restrictions. Any defensive player who wants to continue to play in this manner will be allowed to providing he play with no protective gear for himself. All players who want to be restricted to playing by these new news will continue to wear their protective gear.

OK Harrison... have at it tough guy !!

 

[Steelnation]

Who gave him a nickname of an ape?

That's been his nickname ever since he has been a Steeler......

 

[westbrook36]

"I'm going to sit down and have a serious conversation with my coach tomorrow and see if I can actually play by NFL rules and still be effective," Harrison told guest host Judy McDonald. "If not, I may have to give up playing football."

that is being a bit dramatic. if he stopped head hunting, then he wouldn't get fined.

 

[comfortably numb]

Who gave him a nickname of an ape?

That's been his nickname ever since he has been a Steeler......

 

[wadegarrett]

Maybe he still wants to be a veterinarian?

 

[treat88]

Why does the discussion have to go that route?

I'm saying a natural result of the new enforcement policy will be a lowering of the defender's target zone.

That's going to result in more shots to the legs and knees. Am I off base?

My question was is that a good thing or a bad thing and as fans are we cool with the fact that we will likely see an increase in knee injuries?

That's a bit of a leap. Players would already be targetting that area if it were the most effective way for them to tackle a player. On KRs players dive for knees and ankles. It all boils down to the fact that defenders have more options to tackle or attack the football, but find it easier to spear with helmets and disrupt plays.

Absolutely agree. I'm not sure why you think I'm arguing that point.

Thing is we are asking them to change the way they are doing things currently.

It would be great if guys could always hit the midsection. That's just not possible.

We're asking them to go lower with their target. When guys go lower, even without spearing (which one doesn't do with the shoulder), it's going to turn into more hits around the knees. Hence the question, are you good if Robinson dropped down and hit Jackson around the knees?

My basic position is that most injury causing tackles either to the head or to the knees are a result of unintentional contact exacerbated by bad technique.

It's great to clean up the technique but I don't think new emphasis on technique enforcement it will eliminate the inadvertent contact. I think it's likely to be ineffective in lowering the frequency of concussions and will result in an increase of other types of injuries.

 

[LittlePhatty]

"I'm going to sit down and have a serious conversation with my coach tomorrow and see if I can actually play by NFL rules and still be effective," Harrison told guest host Judy McDonald. "If not, I may have to give up playing football."

Harrison is I'm sure the NFL will come crawling on their knees and say "Don't take your ball and go home! Stay and we'll let you hit people however you want!"

 

[yellowdog]

 

[benm3218]

Why does the discussion have to go that route?

I'm saying a natural result of the new enforcement policy will be a lowering of the defender's target zone.

That's going to result in more shots to the legs and knees. Am I off base?

My question was is that a good thing or a bad thing and as fans are we cool with the fact that we will likely see an increase in knee injuries?

That's a bit of a leap. Players would already be targetting that area if it were the most effective way for them to tackle a player. On KRs players dive for knees and ankles. It all boils down to the fact that defenders have more options to tackle or attack the football, but find it easier to spear with helmets and disrupt plays.

Absolutely agree. I'm not sure why you think I'm arguing that point.

Thing is we are asking them to change the way they are doing things currently.

It would be great if guys could always hit the midsection. That's just not possible.

We're asking them to go lower with their target. When guys go lower, even without spearing (which one doesn't do with the shoulder), it's going to turn into more hits around the knees. Hence the question, are you good if Robinson dropped down and hit Jackson around the knees?

My basic position is that most injury causing tackles either to the head or to the knees are a result of unintentional contact exacerbated by bad technique.

It's great to clean up the technique but I don't think new emphasis on technique enforcement it will eliminate the inadvertent contact. I think it's likely to be ineffective in lowering the frequency of concussions and will result in an increase of other types of injuries.

Well I think the league would rather see a season ending ACL, rather than a permanent neck injury or brain defects affecting players after football. I also do not think their will be appreciably more leg injuries due to this anyway.

 

[Ghost Rider]

He's not retiring. He is simply a thug who is throwing a temper tantrum.

 

[ScottyFargo]

Who gave him a nickname of an ape?

Someone that knew silverbacks were known for their terrible bouts of pouting and depression?

 

[Itchy Amos]

This is really bad form on his part. It makes him look foolish. He is drastically over-estimating his value to the NFL if he thinks they are going to try to stop him from following through on his (obviously empty) threat.

 

[That Little Voice]

He's one of the league's dirtiest players...always has been. And now he's gonna pout cause they've singled him out. I hope he makes good on his threat...see ya

 

[treat88]

Why does the discussion have to go that route?

I'm saying a natural result of the new enforcement policy will be a lowering of the defender's target zone.

That's going to result in more shots to the legs and knees. Am I off base?

My question was is that a good thing or a bad thing and as fans are we cool with the fact that we will likely see an increase in knee injuries?

That's a bit of a leap. Players would already be targetting that area if it were the most effective way for them to tackle a player. On KRs players dive for knees and ankles. It all boils down to the fact that defenders have more options to tackle or attack the football, but find it easier to spear with helmets and disrupt plays.

Absolutely agree. I'm not sure why you think I'm arguing that point.

Thing is we are asking them to change the way they are doing things currently.

It would be great if guys could always hit the midsection. That's just not possible.

We're asking them to go lower with their target. When guys go lower, even without spearing (which one doesn't do with the shoulder), it's going to turn into more hits around the knees. Hence the question, are you good if Robinson dropped down and hit Jackson around the knees?

My basic position is that most injury causing tackles either to the head or to the knees are a result of unintentional contact exacerbated by bad technique.

It's great to clean up the technique but I don't think new emphasis on technique enforcement it will eliminate the inadvertent contact. I think it's likely to be ineffective in lowering the frequency of concussions and will result in an increase of other types of injuries.

Well I think the league would rather see a season ending ACL, rather than a permanent neck injury or brain defects affecting players after football. I also do not think their will be appreciably more leg injuries due to this anyway.

Yep. That's the choice the league is making.Time will tell on the second point, but when we see defenders cutting guys on crossing routes rather than Robinson/Harrison like hits we shouldn't be surprised or be quick to call them "cheap" or "dirty" either.

 

[nysportsfan]

Silverback may be his nickname, but I don't think it's very PC

Merge this thread please.

 

[Bojang0301]

cya james, take your ball and go homeyou won't, you are acting like a crybaby. You tried to look like a toughguy by saying you try to hurt people when you know the league is in a tough spot, you practically dared them to do anything, and now you are crying like a baby and making hollow threats to quit because they did.

Yes, because calling him out on a message board would stop you from pissing your pants if he was about to hit you. Real genius on this thread. He led with his shoulder on both hits and he is taking the brunt of this new stuff because ESPN has once again swayed their influence over the NFL.

 

[Sabertooth]

He's not exactly emotionally stable either. I hope he does quit.

 

[LittlePhatty]

This is the same guy who skipped the White House invite after the Super Bowl saying whining that, "They would have invited Arizona instead if they had won."

Well, duh? All Super Bowl and World Series teams get invited.

 

[bengalbuck]

What a d-bag weirdo.

Too many steroids.

 

[FavreCo]

If this guy's retirement means more offense for the visiting teams, then hell yeah, retire!!!! Anything to help boost FF offenseive #'s sounds good to me. Get the hell outta here.

 

[Steelnation]

Silverback may be his nickname, but I don't think it's very PC Merge this thread please.

And that's why I rarely post here anymore.....PC?Dude get a grip and stop

 

[Comer]

cya james, take your ball and go homeyou won't, you are acting like a crybaby. You tried to look like a toughguy by saying you try to hurt people when you know the league is in a tough spot, you practically dared them to do anything, and now you are crying like a baby and making hollow threats to quit because they did.

Yes, because calling him out on a message board would stop you from pissing your pants if he was about to hit you. Real genius on this thread. He led with his shoulder on both hits and he is taking the brunt of this new stuff because ESPN has once again swayed their influence over the NFL.

The Cribbs hit, Harrison did a swan dive with his head, he did not lead with his shoulder. Harrison isn't going to retire, he is just being a baby.

 

[gotexansgo]

the team should pile on and fine him for not practicing (yes I realize he was excused)

 

[basher]

Greg lloyd v2.0

the guy isn't going anywhere, the NFL just peed in his kool-aid and he is not happy

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

"I'm going to sit down and have a serious conversation with my coach tomorrow and see if I can actually play by NFL rules and still be effective," Harrison told guest host Judy McDonald. "If not, I may have to give up playing football."

Harrison is I'm sure the NFL will come crawling on their knees and say "Don't take your ball and go home! Stay and we'll let you hit people however you want!"

Though, I'm not sure the NFL is going to give him the time of day.Someone should tell Harrison to play like Ray Lewis and he'll be fine.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

I may be the first and only Steeler fan to post this, but...

He's a ridiculously good football player, and playing hard is NOT the same thing as playing dirty (he always does the former and sometimes the latter). But let's face it, this dude is an idiot.

I understand the beef with the call and the fine - but I also can see the argument for the fine and what it is trying to accomplish. But in any case, threatening to retire over it is childish and counter-productive.

I totally appreciate the INTENSITY of his play, but if you can't be effective without killing people, go ahead and retire.

 

[Steelfan7]

Wasn't ther a quote from Harrison about "not intending to injure players, only to hurt them?"Shouldn't his intent only to be to tackle them or to prevent a catch? When does the intent to hurt a player become ok?

It is taught at a very early age to be more physical than your opponent and put a hurting on them when on the football field.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Criticize Harrison for being dirty, making dumb statements to the media, etc. but in many ways this guy is what's right about the NFL. He is a great player and he is all about football. He doesn't make a spectacle after every tackle (Ray Lewis), isn't buddy-buddy (Ray Lewis) with the opponent after games, doesn't seek anything outside of the game itself. I find him to be a refreshing throwback to a time when football players cared only about their team winning the game.

 

[Copeman]

Maybe the NFL will start rewarding every player and team a trophy at the end of the year now, since it is becoming a less "mean" NFL. You know, so no feelings are hurt or anything. It seems many in this thread would support something like that. I'm sure many of them also have kids in little league right now too.

 

[pghrob]

Steeler homer here. As noted by others, he is not dirty. Very hard nosed and wants to play the way he has played and was trained. Why begrudge him? I think he deserves to be praised for his stand.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

I may be the first and only Steeler fan to post this, but...He's a ridiculously good football player, and playing hard is NOT the same thing as playing dirty (he always does the former and sometimes the latter). But let's face it, this dude is an idiot.I understand the beef with the call and the fine - but I also can see the argument for the fine and what it is trying to accomplish. But in any case, threatening to retire over it is childish and counter-productive.I totally appreciate the INTENSITY of his play, but if you can't be effective without killing people, go ahead and retire.

he is an intense guy, he'll be fine when he calms down

 

[HoTnickZ]

Harrison wants to take his ball and go home. Surely, he or his agent should have predicted the backlash that's about to come from sounding like a spoiled baby.

 

[timschochet]

Somewhere, Deacon Jones is cheering Harrison on.

 

[wazoo11]

Who gave him a nickname of an ape?

this guy

 

[Blue-Kun]

Maybe the NFL will start rewarding every player and team a trophy at the end of the year now, since it is becoming a less "mean" NFL. You know, so no feelings are hurt or anything. It seems many in this thread would support something like that. I'm sure many of them also have kids in little league right now too.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Why not? He quit his girlfriend when he found out he wasn't allowed to beat her.

Don't let the door hit you Jimmy.

 

[Northbound Train]

Silverback may be his nickname, but I don't think it's very PC Merge this thread please.

And that's why I rarely post here anymore.....PC?Dude get a grip and stop

Pull up your pants Nancy....you sound as bad as Harrison whining about what's pc and not

 

[Steeler]

The rules state you have to let the receiver catch and then defend himself before hitting him in the head/neck area. It is not the coaches fault that defensive players are breaking the rules.

So you agree with the way the NFL has worded the rules? And therefore you agree that if a defender hits a WR with a shoulder in the chest/mid-section and then slides up and helmet to helmet contact is made, that player should be flagged, fined, or suspended?

 

[FavreCo]

Take it easy Schlereth before you pop a blood vessel in your head.

 

[Marmalade]

Discussing on ESPN right now, and the alternative that was brought up was hitting players lower. The problem with a lower hit could be hitting players in knees that could end a career.

 

[Marmalade]

Take it easy Schlereth before you pop a blood vessel in your head.

He was pretty amped up about the topic.

 

[Steelfan7]

cya james, take your ball and go homeyou won't, you are acting like a crybaby. You tried to look like a toughguy by saying you try to hurt people when you know the league is in a tough spot, you practically dared them to do anything, and now you are crying like a baby and making hollow threats to quit because they did.

Yes, because calling him out on a message board would stop you from pissing your pants if he was about to hit you. Real genius on this thread. He led with his shoulder on both hits and he is taking the brunt of this new stuff because ESPN has once again swayed their influence over the NFL.

The Cribbs hit, Harrison did a swan dive with his head, he did not lead with his shoulder. Harrison isn't going to retire, he is just being a baby.

To be fair to Harrison, as a Lions fan you know nothing about football.

 

[nysportsfan]

Silverback may be his nickname, but I don't think it's very PC Merge this thread please.

And that's why I rarely post here anymore.....PC?Dude get a grip and stop

Pull up your pants Nancy....you sound as bad as Harrison whining about what's pc and not

Apologies for bringing politics into it, but I find it a bit offensive. I didn't offend/attack anyone, no need to get all juvenile and call names, relax.I think his whining has a point - and represents another side to the debate. Not saying I agree with his stance at all, just that there seems to be two camps on this vicious hit thing, and a lot of people may agree with him.

 

[Manster]

i think Schlereth made the best argument i've heard on this whole thing.

the thing that makes sense to me is the speed at which things happen on the field and the NFL higher ups not considering it.

 

[videoguy505]

So he's retiring twice?

Who does he think he is, Brett Favre?

 

[Da Guru]

Jim Mora JR and Hershel Walker both said that Harrisons plays were just hard hitting football. Cribbs ducked into his hit. They also said the Falcons DBs hit was legal. The only hit they said was worth a fine and cheap was the hit on Heap.

Mora stated that the game is so fast on the field that a RB or WR can flinch or duck at the last split second causing head to head hits. Mora said that watching a replay in slo-motion does not do the players justice because the game is played in super fast motion.

I agree on all counts.

 

[FavreCo]

He's not retitring. He's just just blabbering. He would have to pay to much $ back to the Steelers. No one is that stupid.

 

[Chairshot]

Waa waa waa.

You're getting paid $50+ million dollars. If they want you to go out there and dance the can-can you, so be it.

If he wants to retire, it's his choice. He won't. No one is going to walk away from $50 million because his employer made the work place safer.

I thought Harrison was supposed to be a tough guy? Some tough guy...

 

[PizzaDeliveryGuy]

For a tough guy he is an emotional cripple.

What an idiot.