Roger Goodell might ban James Harrison (1 Viewer)

[wazoo11]

Why don't they just adapt rugby style of tackling?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7341324/ban-being-mulled-pittsburgh-steelers-james-harrison-source-says

The NFL is considering suspending Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison one or two games for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, according to an NFL source.

The debate about whether Harrison will be suspended will continue at NFL offices Monday morning. But at the very least, he will be hit with a hefty fine for his latest controversial hit.

Hensley: Time Is Now To Punish Hitters

Hensley It's time for the NFL to take a stand against players like James Harrison and illegal hits like the one on Colt McCoy, writes Jamison Hensley. Blog

Harrison would be the first player suspended under the NFL's enhanced enforcement on player safety violations.

At a fan forum in Detroit before the Lions' game against the Vikings, commissioner Roger Goodell didn't comment much when asked about Harrison.

"Our staff is going to be looking at that play along with every other play that happens this weekend, and they'll make their decisions," Goodell said.

Ndamukong Suh became the first player suspended for on-field play earlier this season, and the league is strongly considering doling out its second suspension in two weeks.

Harrison was fined $125,000 for illegal hits last season. He maintained his innocence for Thursday's hit.

"From what I understand, once the quarterback leaves the pocket, he's considered a runner," Harrison said. "All the defenseless(ness) and liberties that a quarterback has in the pocket are gone and you can tackle him just as he's a running back. The hit wasn't late, so I really don't understand why it was called."

However, McCoy had thrown the ball before the hit, so the quarterback was considered a defenseless player.

Adam Schefter is ESPN's NFL Insider. Information from ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

[wazoo11]

 

[Truman]

Rugby tackling sucks and makes the game softer. How about bringing back tags?

 

[ldizzle]

Forget the rugby stuff thread title is misleading. I thought he was banned like permanent. Change that to ban 1 or 2 games!

 

[Daywalker]

When did suspend = ban? ESPN phrased it that way too.

 

[Truman]

He will be banned from playing next week and be back in time for playoffs. Meaningless. As it should be.

 

[Short Corner]

I guess the difference between the 1-seed and the 5-seed is pretty meaningless.

 

[ivnabru]

I guess the difference between the 1-seed and the 5-seed is pretty meaningless.

Baltimore has to lose to a pretty poor team for Pitt to have any shot at anything better than the #5 seed.

 

[Kirby]

I guess the difference between the 1-seed and the 5-seed is pretty meaningless.

Baltimore has to lose to a pretty poor team for Pitt to have any shot at anything better than the #5 seed.

They still have to go against the Bengals, that's never a gimme. Lewis is 10-7 vs them and only been swept once.

 

[harryhood]

Jamison Hensley is a Baltimore homer. Any coincidence?

 

[Dave Larkin]

I'm a big rugby fan, and I think NFL players would be better off if they adopted some of these tackling rules. The problem is the fewer padded practices with the new CBA prevent any consistent practice of actually tackling.

 

[Godsbrother]

I guess the difference between the 1-seed and the 5-seed is pretty meaningless.

Baltimore has to lose to a pretty poor team for Pitt to have any shot at anything better than the #5 seed.

This is the NFL and anything can happen. Check out the teams that Baltimore has lost to this season.We all knew it was only a matter of time before Goodell started suspending defenders and looks like Harrison is going to be the first. Supposedly Harrison is facing suspension because he is considered a multiple offender but this is his first fine of the season. Apparently the league is considering Harrison's fines last season when applying the multiple offender tag. Harrison's critics say that a suspension is necessary because he is just not getting the message with fines alone.Okay but if the league is going to suspend players that aren't getting the message then I am wondering why they haven't suspended Ray Lewis? Lewis was fined earlier this season for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Hines Ward. In 2010 Lewis was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Austin Collie and in 2009 was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chad Ochocinco. Apparently James Harrison isn't the only player that isn't getting the message. I really dislike the suspension of players for past transgressions. In my opinion each punishment should be considered on its own. However if you ARE going to consider infractions from previous seasons then it should be done for all players. If James Harrison is suspended then Ray Lewis should be too.

 

[moondog]

I guess the difference between the 1-seed and the 5-seed is pretty meaningless.

Baltimore has to lose to a pretty poor team for Pitt to have any shot at anything better than the #5 seed.

This is the NFL and anything can happen. Check out the teams that Baltimore has lost to this season.We all knew it was only a matter of time before Goodell started suspending defenders and looks like Harrison is going to be the first. Supposedly Harrison is facing suspension because he is considered a multiple offender but this is his first fine of the season. Apparently the league is considering Harrison's fines last season when applying the multiple offender tag. Harrison's critics say that a suspension is necessary because he is just not getting the message with fines alone.Okay but if the league is going to suspend players that aren't getting the message then I am wondering why they haven't suspended Ray Lewis? Lewis was fined earlier this season for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Hines Ward. In 2010 Lewis was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Austin Collie and in 2009 was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chad Ochocinco. Apparently James Harrison isn't the only player that isn't getting the message. I really dislike the suspension of players for past transgressions. In my opinion each punishment should be considered on its own. However if you ARE going to consider infractions from previous seasons then it should be done for all players. If James Harrison is suspended then Ray Lewis should be too.

Excellent point.

 

[T J]

Was a dirty hit. He absolutely led with helmet to McCoy's facemask. And the fact he thinks that's ok if it's a runner only make him appear even more ignorant.

Dirty player. A suspension is warranted.

 

[Big_Russel]

Is this the dipchit who had a pitbull that ate one of his kids (and kept the dog)?

or was that Joey Porter?

 

[Godsbrother]

Is this the dipchit who had a pitbull that ate one of his kids (and kept the dog)? or was that Joey Porter?

Was not James Harrison.

 

[gandalas]

I wonder how many people clicked in here thinking that there was some story about how Harrison was getting kicked out of football?

The Thread title is horribly phrased. Suspension =/= Ban. Yes, I know you took it from ESPN, but they are not exactly paragons of the English language over there either...

 

[Big_Russel]

Is this the dipchit who had a pitbull that ate one of his kids (and kept the dog)?

or was that Joey Porter?

Was not James Harrison.

Being responsible, James did get rid of "Patron" after he mauled his 1-year old son.

Fate described Harrison as a "concerned father. He wanted to get to the hospital. Little aggravated about the dog, mad at the dog."

Ripi told Channel 4 Action News reporter Ari Hait that she was with Harrison's child and the boy's mother, Beth Tibbot, on Thursday afternoon when young James started crying and the dog attacked.

"I picked up the baby from her and ran about 40 yards and dropped him over a fence about two feet, and the dog then went to go for the baby through the fence, which then gave me a moment to get around him, and I picked up the baby and called 911," Ripi said.

Patron had always been good with James III until the attack happened on Thursday, according to Ripi.

"I feel bad for the dog. He was a great dog, and not in his character,"

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Horrible verbiage there.

 

[beaux]

Suspension =/= Ban.

Was this, ≠, was what you were going for?You could have also gone with <> or !=.

 

[gandalas]

Suspension =/= Ban.

Was this, ≠, was what you were going for?You could have also gone with <> or !=.

Sorry, didn't feel like going into character mapping to make a simple post on a message board. Obviously you got the point, and I have seen it used here before as well.

 

[Wadsworth]

Rugby tackling sucks and makes the game softer. How about bringing back tags?

 

[ivnabru]

I guess the difference between the 1-seed and the 5-seed is pretty meaningless.

Baltimore has to lose to a pretty poor team for Pitt to have any shot at anything better than the #5 seed.

They still have to go against the Bengals, that's never a gimme. Lewis is 10-7 vs them and only been swept once.

Maybe but with their only win over a .500 team being Tennessee the Bengals might be paper tigers.

 

[Kirby]

I guess the difference between the 1-seed and the 5-seed is pretty meaningless.

Baltimore has to lose to a pretty poor team for Pitt to have any shot at anything better than the #5 seed.

They still have to go against the Bengals, that's never a gimme. Lewis is 10-7 vs them and only been swept once.

Maybe but with their only win over a .500 team being Tennessee the Bengals might be paper tigers.

The Ravens 3 losses to Ten, Jac, and Sea are also 3 teams Cincy has beat... losing to poor teams is something the Ravens do well this year.

 

[49erFan77]

Was a dirty hit. He absolutely led with helmet to McCoy's facemask. And the fact he thinks that's ok if it's a runner only make him appear even more ignorant. Dirty player. A suspension is warranted.

Agreed.

 

[JFurby]

Suspension =/= Ban.

Was this, ≠, was what you were going for?You could have also gone with <> or !=.

In a thread about James Harrison, this is the character you choose to question?

 

[flapgreen]

Banish this guy!

 

[GregR]

I guess the difference between the 1-seed and the 5-seed is pretty meaningless.

Baltimore has to lose to a pretty poor team for Pitt to have any shot at anything better than the #5 seed.

This is the NFL and anything can happen. Check out the teams that Baltimore has lost to this season.We all knew it was only a matter of time before Goodell started suspending defenders and looks like Harrison is going to be the first. Supposedly Harrison is facing suspension because he is considered a multiple offender but this is his first fine of the season. Apparently the league is considering Harrison's fines last season when applying the multiple offender tag. Harrison's critics say that a suspension is necessary because he is just not getting the message with fines alone.Okay but if the league is going to suspend players that aren't getting the message then I am wondering why they haven't suspended Ray Lewis? Lewis was fined earlier this season for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Hines Ward. In 2010 Lewis was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Austin Collie and in 2009 was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chad Ochocinco. Apparently James Harrison isn't the only player that isn't getting the message. I really dislike the suspension of players for past transgressions. In my opinion each punishment should be considered on its own. However if you ARE going to consider infractions from previous seasons then it should be done for all players. If James Harrison is suspended then Ray Lewis should be too.

You think Ray Lewis should be suspended for his third infraction because Harrison may be suspended for his fourth infraction?Is it not consistent that both of them were fined, but not suspended, for their first three infractions?

 

[Godsbrother]

I guess the difference between the 1-seed and the 5-seed is pretty meaningless.

Baltimore has to lose to a pretty poor team for Pitt to have any shot at anything better than the #5 seed.

This is the NFL and anything can happen. Check out the teams that Baltimore has lost to this season.We all knew it was only a matter of time before Goodell started suspending defenders and looks like Harrison is going to be the first. Supposedly Harrison is facing suspension because he is considered a multiple offender but this is his first fine of the season. Apparently the league is considering Harrison's fines last season when applying the multiple offender tag. Harrison's critics say that a suspension is necessary because he is just not getting the message with fines alone.Okay but if the league is going to suspend players that aren't getting the message then I am wondering why they haven't suspended Ray Lewis? Lewis was fined earlier this season for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Hines Ward. In 2010 Lewis was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Austin Collie and in 2009 was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chad Ochocinco. Apparently James Harrison isn't the only player that isn't getting the message. I really dislike the suspension of players for past transgressions. In my opinion each punishment should be considered on its own. However if you ARE going to consider infractions from previous seasons then it should be done for all players. If James Harrison is suspended then Ray Lewis should be too.

You think Ray Lewis should be suspended for his third infraction because Harrison may be suspended for his fourth infraction?Is it not consistent that both of them were fined, but not suspended, for their first three infractions?

I did not go beyond three years to see how many career fines either player has but I do know that one of Harrison's fines last year was for hitting Fitzpatrick in the chest and was not helmet-to-helmet which seems to be the main focus of the discussion so by your count it is 3-3. My point here is that many feel that Harrison should be suspended because he is still committing head-to-head infractions even after being fined.What I find curious is that there is no outrage over another player that has continued committing helmet-to-helmet hits even though he has been fined for the same thing over a 3-year period. Obviously this player is not getting the message and it seems to me that people concerned over player safety would want both multiple offenders suspended.

 

[GregR]

Lowering his head and using his helmet as a weapon is a big part of the problem, I don't see why the league would not consider that incident if they are looking at past history.

 

[Godsbrother]

Lowering his head and using his helmet as a weapon is a big part of the problem, I don't see why the league would not consider that incident if they are looking at past history.

If they consider past transgressions for Harrison they should have also done so after Lewis delivered a helmet-to-helmet low to Hines Ward earlier this season., his third in as many years.

 

[AmosMoses]

Lowering his head and using his helmet as a weapon is a big part of the problem, I don't see why the league would not consider that incident if they are looking at past history.

If they consider past transgressions for Harrison they should have also done so after Lewis delivered a helmet-to-helmet low to Hines Ward earlier this season., his third in as many years.

The Spygate Defense sucks, according to the entire universe.

 

[GregR]

Lowering his head and using his helmet as a weapon is a big part of the problem, I don't see why the league would not consider that incident if they are looking at past history.

If they consider past transgressions for Harrison they should have also done so after Lewis delivered a helmet-to-helmet low to Hines Ward earlier this season., his third in as many years.

I'm sure they considered how many on field fines he's had, as well as how frequently they occurring. The same as they will Harrison. The same as they did with Suh. The same as they did with off field issues for Pacman and others.

 

[Truman]

Rugby tackling sucks and makes the game softer. How about bringing back tags?

Most of these hits are illegal. You can't hit above the chest and you have to wrap your arms around the ballcarrier. The coathangers, shoulder charges, even the lifting tackles can result in ejections - happened in the world cup semifinal 2 months ago

 

[Bri]

Pete Rose was banned

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

If they consider past transgressions for Harrison they should have also done so after Lewis delivered a helmet-to-helmet low to Hines Ward earlier this season., his third in as many years.

 

[Godsbrother]

If they consider past transgressions for Harrison they should have also done so after Lewis delivered a helmet-to-helmet low to Hines Ward earlier this season., his third in as many years.

CBS Baltimore link

 

[Wadsworth]

If they consider past transgressions for Harrison they should have also done so after Lewis delivered a helmet-to-helmet low to Hines Ward earlier this season., his third in as many years.

I remember the play and thought it was pretty clear that Lewis saw his chance to put one on Hines and took it. It was clearly unclean and deserved a fine. If Lewis commits another such hit his previous infractions should play a part in the punishment, just like Harrison.

 

[Godsbrother]

If they consider past transgressions for Harrison they should have also done so after Lewis delivered a helmet-to-helmet low to Hines Ward earlier this season., his third in as many years.

Okay but this is Lewis' third such offense in three seasons and I heard no talk, not even now, of Lewis being in jeopardy of suspension. Of course Lewis wasn't stupid enough to publicly ridicule the commissioner like Harrison did...

 

[Wadsworth]

If they consider past transgressions for Harrison they should have also done so after Lewis delivered a helmet-to-helmet low to Hines Ward earlier this season., his third in as many years.

I would make two points and you already hit on one of them. Harrison's mouth is not doing him any favors. Not only did he run his mouth about Roger, but he has publicly expressed reservations about following the League rules. Even recently with this last situation he seems committed to not even admitting that he crossed a line when almost anyone watching that hit would disagree. Which gets to the second point, a lot of people were watching that hit. It was a prime time game and a hit on the QB in a big situation with multiple camera angles. Much like the Suh kick, more eyes on the foul puts more pressure on the League to react.

 

[jackdubl]

But if the league is going to suspend players that aren't getting the message then I am wondering why they haven't suspended Ray Lewis? Lewis was fined earlier this season for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Hines Ward. In 2010 Lewis was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Austin Collie and in 2009 was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chad Ochocinco. Apparently James Harrison isn't the only player that isn't getting the message. I really dislike the suspension of players for past transgressions. In my opinion each punishment should be considered on its own. However if you ARE going to consider infractions from previous seasons then it should be done for all players. If James Harrison is suspended then Ray Lewis should be too.

Probably because Ray Lewis is smart enough to not publicly admit that he is doing it on purpose, which Harrison has done repeatedly. Then here, he tries to misquote the rules to make himself seem innocent or, at least, ignorant.

 

[The_Man]

The hit that Lewis put on Austin Collie drew a $5,000 fine and was very questionable.

To compare that to Harrison's head hunting is not a reasonable comparison.

 

[treat88]

If they consider past transgressions for Harrison they should have also done so after Lewis delivered a helmet-to-helmet low to Hines Ward earlier this season., his third in as many years.

The bolded is absolutely a fact. The league responds to bad PR more than any other factor.

 

[Godsbrother]

But if the league is going to suspend players that aren't getting the message then I am wondering why they haven't suspended Ray Lewis? Lewis was fined earlier this season for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Hines Ward. In 2010 Lewis was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Austin Collie and in 2009 was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chad Ochocinco. Apparently James Harrison isn't the only player that isn't getting the message. I really dislike the suspension of players for past transgressions. In my opinion each punishment should be considered on its own. However if you ARE going to consider infractions from previous seasons then it should be done for all players. If James Harrison is suspended then Ray Lewis should be too.

Probably because Ray Lewis is smart enough to not publicly admit that he is doing it on purpose, which Harrison has done repeatedly. Then here, he tries to misquote the rules to make himself seem innocent or, at least, ignorant.

Ray Lewis quote:“A linebacker's job is to knock out running backs, to knock out receivers, to chase the football...”

 

[The_Man]

But if the league is going to suspend players that aren't getting the message then I am wondering why they haven't suspended Ray Lewis? Lewis was fined earlier this season for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Hines Ward. In 2010 Lewis was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Austin Collie and in 2009 was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chad Ochocinco. Apparently James Harrison isn't the only player that isn't getting the message. I really dislike the suspension of players for past transgressions. In my opinion each punishment should be considered on its own. However if you ARE going to consider infractions from previous seasons then it should be done for all players. If James Harrison is suspended then Ray Lewis should be too.

Probably because Ray Lewis is smart enough to not publicly admit that he is doing it on purpose, which Harrison has done repeatedly. Then here, he tries to misquote the rules to make himself seem innocent or, at least, ignorant.

Ray Lewis quote:“A linebacker's job is to knock out running backs, to knock out receivers, to chase the football...”

I think you are not seeing what most non-Steelers fans are seeing. That Harrison continues to make intentional helmet-to-helmet hits on totally defenseless players and shows no willingness to modify his behavior.Here's the quote that Ray Lewis said earlier this season after being fined for the hit on ward:"I heard from the league, and they fined me whatever they were going to fine me, but I'll definitely call in [an appeal]," Lewis said Wednesday. "I think the thing is, you definitely respect them trying to protect players' safety, but at the same time, it won't change the way I play in this league, no matter what the fine is. You just can't stop playing defense the way this defense has always played."If the receiver has the ball, it's your job to disengage him from the ball. You never want to hurt anybody. I've been in this business too long, and the last thing you want to do is hurt anyone. But I just think that once you start getting into these fines — and I don't even know how they come up with these numbers — just get done with it and whatever it is. I'll talk to the league and move on from there."How about Ryan Clark? Should he be suspended too as a multiple offender?He was fined $40,000 after he made helmet-to-helmet contact with Ravens tight end Ed Dickson and was fined the previous week for a hit on the New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski."So it's going to turn into if you're going to fine me $40,000, I might as well put him to sleep for real or I might as well blow his knee out," Clark said.There are different degrees of fouls, and Harrison is clearly over the line.

 

[Godsbrother]

But if the league is going to suspend players that aren't getting the message then I am wondering why they haven't suspended Ray Lewis? Lewis was fined earlier this season for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Hines Ward. In 2010 Lewis was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Austin Collie and in 2009 was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chad Ochocinco. Apparently James Harrison isn't the only player that isn't getting the message. I really dislike the suspension of players for past transgressions. In my opinion each punishment should be considered on its own. However if you ARE going to consider infractions from previous seasons then it should be done for all players. If James Harrison is suspended then Ray Lewis should be too.

Probably because Ray Lewis is smart enough to not publicly admit that he is doing it on purpose, which Harrison has done repeatedly. Then here, he tries to misquote the rules to make himself seem innocent or, at least, ignorant.

Ray Lewis quote:“A linebacker's job is to knock out running backs, to knock out receivers, to chase the football...”

I think you are not seeing what most non-Steelers fans are seeing. That Harrison continues to make intentional helmet-to-helmet hits on totally defenseless players and shows no willingness to modify his behavior.Here's the quote that Ray Lewis said earlier this season after being fined for the hit on ward:"I heard from the league, and they fined me whatever they were going to fine me, but I'll definitely call in [an appeal]," Lewis said Wednesday. "I think the thing is, you definitely respect them trying to protect players' safety, but at the same time, it won't change the way I play in this league, no matter what the fine is. You just can't stop playing defense the way this defense has always played."If the receiver has the ball, it's your job to disengage him from the ball. You never want to hurt anybody. I've been in this business too long, and the last thing you want to do is hurt anyone. But I just think that once you start getting into these fines — and I don't even know how they come up with these numbers — just get done with it and whatever it is. I'll talk to the league and move on from there."How about Ryan Clark? Should he be suspended too as a multiple offender?He was fined $40,000 after he made helmet-to-helmet contact with Ravens tight end Ed Dickson and was fined the previous week for a hit on the New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski."So it's going to turn into if you're going to fine me $40,000, I might as well put him to sleep for real or I might as well blow his knee out," Clark said.There are different degrees of fouls, and Harrison is clearly over the line.

A player can say whatever they want but if they keep on doing it, as Harrison, Clark AND Lewis are guilty of, then it should not matter. If the league is going to suspend multiple offenders then they should all be facing suspension, don't you think?

 

[The_Man]

But if the league is going to suspend players that aren't getting the message then I am wondering why they haven't suspended Ray Lewis? Lewis was fined earlier this season for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Hines Ward. In 2010 Lewis was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Austin Collie and in 2009 was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chad Ochocinco. Apparently James Harrison isn't the only player that isn't getting the message. I really dislike the suspension of players for past transgressions. In my opinion each punishment should be considered on its own. However if you ARE going to consider infractions from previous seasons then it should be done for all players. If James Harrison is suspended then Ray Lewis should be too.

Probably because Ray Lewis is smart enough to not publicly admit that he is doing it on purpose, which Harrison has done repeatedly. Then here, he tries to misquote the rules to make himself seem innocent or, at least, ignorant.

Ray Lewis quote:“A linebacker's job is to knock out running backs, to knock out receivers, to chase the football...”

I think you are not seeing what most non-Steelers fans are seeing. That Harrison continues to make intentional helmet-to-helmet hits on totally defenseless players and shows no willingness to modify his behavior.Here's the quote that Ray Lewis said earlier this season after being fined for the hit on ward:"I heard from the league, and they fined me whatever they were going to fine me, but I'll definitely call in [an appeal]," Lewis said Wednesday. "I think the thing is, you definitely respect them trying to protect players' safety, but at the same time, it won't change the way I play in this league, no matter what the fine is. You just can't stop playing defense the way this defense has always played."If the receiver has the ball, it's your job to disengage him from the ball. You never want to hurt anybody. I've been in this business too long, and the last thing you want to do is hurt anyone. But I just think that once you start getting into these fines — and I don't even know how they come up with these numbers — just get done with it and whatever it is. I'll talk to the league and move on from there."How about Ryan Clark? Should he be suspended too as a multiple offender?He was fined $40,000 after he made helmet-to-helmet contact with Ravens tight end Ed Dickson and was fined the previous week for a hit on the New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski."So it's going to turn into if you're going to fine me $40,000, I might as well put him to sleep for real or I might as well blow his knee out," Clark said.There are different degrees of fouls, and Harrison is clearly over the line.

A player can say whatever they want but if they keep on doing it, as Harrison, Clark AND Lewis are guilty of, then it should not matter. If the league is going to suspend multiple offenders then they should all be facing suspension, don't you think?

No, I don't think that at all, and I don't think most reasonable people do, either. I'll be interested to hear what the NFL says, but I don't think they have a plan to suspend multiple offenders. I think they have a plan to improve player safety by limiting headshots as much as possible, that most players have begun to alter their style of play to conform to that plan, and that they will take necessary steps to discipline players that won't conform.

 

[Godsbrother]

But if the league is going to suspend players that aren't getting the message then I am wondering why they haven't suspended Ray Lewis? Lewis was fined earlier this season for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Hines Ward. In 2010 Lewis was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Austin Collie and in 2009 was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chad Ochocinco. Apparently James Harrison isn't the only player that isn't getting the message. I really dislike the suspension of players for past transgressions. In my opinion each punishment should be considered on its own. However if you ARE going to consider infractions from previous seasons then it should be done for all players. If James Harrison is suspended then Ray Lewis should be too.

Probably because Ray Lewis is smart enough to not publicly admit that he is doing it on purpose, which Harrison has done repeatedly. Then here, he tries to misquote the rules to make himself seem innocent or, at least, ignorant.

Ray Lewis quote:“A linebacker's job is to knock out running backs, to knock out receivers, to chase the football...”

I think you are not seeing what most non-Steelers fans are seeing. That Harrison continues to make intentional helmet-to-helmet hits on totally defenseless players and shows no willingness to modify his behavior.Here's the quote that Ray Lewis said earlier this season after being fined for the hit on ward:"I heard from the league, and they fined me whatever they were going to fine me, but I'll definitely call in [an appeal]," Lewis said Wednesday. "I think the thing is, you definitely respect them trying to protect players' safety, but at the same time, it won't change the way I play in this league, no matter what the fine is. You just can't stop playing defense the way this defense has always played."If the receiver has the ball, it's your job to disengage him from the ball. You never want to hurt anybody. I've been in this business too long, and the last thing you want to do is hurt anyone. But I just think that once you start getting into these fines — and I don't even know how they come up with these numbers — just get done with it and whatever it is. I'll talk to the league and move on from there."How about Ryan Clark? Should he be suspended too as a multiple offender?He was fined $40,000 after he made helmet-to-helmet contact with Ravens tight end Ed Dickson and was fined the previous week for a hit on the New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski."So it's going to turn into if you're going to fine me $40,000, I might as well put him to sleep for real or I might as well blow his knee out," Clark said.There are different degrees of fouls, and Harrison is clearly over the line.

A player can say whatever they want but if they keep on doing it, as Harrison, Clark AND Lewis are guilty of, then it should not matter. If the league is going to suspend multiple offenders then they should all be facing suspension, don't you think?

No, I don't think that at all, and I don't think most reasonable people do, either. I'll be interested to hear what the NFL says, but I don't think they have a plan to suspend multiple offenders. I think they have a plan to improve player safety by limiting headshots as much as possible, that most players have begun to alter their style of play to conform to that plan, and that they will take necessary steps to discipline players that won't conform.

Okay so Ray Lewis can be fined for helmet-to-helmet hits for three years running and not face suspension because he says he didn't try to hurt him? Earlier this season Lewis clearly lead with his helmet and knocked out Hines Ward. Clearly he was not conforming to the plan...

 

[The_Man]

But if the league is going to suspend players that aren't getting the message then I am wondering why they haven't suspended Ray Lewis? Lewis was fined earlier this season for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Hines Ward. In 2010 Lewis was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Austin Collie and in 2009 was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chad Ochocinco. Apparently James Harrison isn't the only player that isn't getting the message. I really dislike the suspension of players for past transgressions. In my opinion each punishment should be considered on its own. However if you ARE going to consider infractions from previous seasons then it should be done for all players. If James Harrison is suspended then Ray Lewis should be too.

Probably because Ray Lewis is smart enough to not publicly admit that he is doing it on purpose, which Harrison has done repeatedly. Then here, he tries to misquote the rules to make himself seem innocent or, at least, ignorant.

Ray Lewis quote:“A linebacker's job is to knock out running backs, to knock out receivers, to chase the football...”

I think you are not seeing what most non-Steelers fans are seeing. That Harrison continues to make intentional helmet-to-helmet hits on totally defenseless players and shows no willingness to modify his behavior.Here's the quote that Ray Lewis said earlier this season after being fined for the hit on ward:"I heard from the league, and they fined me whatever they were going to fine me, but I'll definitely call in [an appeal]," Lewis said Wednesday. "I think the thing is, you definitely respect them trying to protect players' safety, but at the same time, it won't change the way I play in this league, no matter what the fine is. You just can't stop playing defense the way this defense has always played."If the receiver has the ball, it's your job to disengage him from the ball. You never want to hurt anybody. I've been in this business too long, and the last thing you want to do is hurt anyone. But I just think that once you start getting into these fines — and I don't even know how they come up with these numbers — just get done with it and whatever it is. I'll talk to the league and move on from there."How about Ryan Clark? Should he be suspended too as a multiple offender?He was fined $40,000 after he made helmet-to-helmet contact with Ravens tight end Ed Dickson and was fined the previous week for a hit on the New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski."So it's going to turn into if you're going to fine me $40,000, I might as well put him to sleep for real or I might as well blow his knee out," Clark said.There are different degrees of fouls, and Harrison is clearly over the line.

A player can say whatever they want but if they keep on doing it, as Harrison, Clark AND Lewis are guilty of, then it should not matter. If the league is going to suspend multiple offenders then they should all be facing suspension, don't you think?

No, I don't think that at all, and I don't think most reasonable people do, either. I'll be interested to hear what the NFL says, but I don't think they have a plan to suspend multiple offenders. I think they have a plan to improve player safety by limiting headshots as much as possible, that most players have begun to alter their style of play to conform to that plan, and that they will take necessary steps to discipline players that won't conform.

Okay so Ray Lewis can be fined for helmet-to-helmet hits for three years running and not face suspension because he says he didn't try to hurt him? Earlier this season Lewis clearly lead with his helmet and knocked out Hines Ward. Clearly he was not conforming to the plan...

Harrison's hit on McCoy was his fifth illegal hit against a quarterback in the past three seasons. In addition to the fines he has received for hits on quarterbacks, he also has been fined twice more for unnecessary roughness on other hits during that time period. He was fined $125,000 alone in 2010 for taking what were considered illegal or unnecessary shots.Harrison is so far beyond everyone else in the NFL in terms of this kind of behavior that he's now far beyond everyone else in terms of discipline, too. Just because you keep comparing Harrison to Ray Lewis, it doesn't mean it's actually a valid comparison.

 

[Wadsworth]

If it makes the Pitt fans feel any better I strongly suspect that Harrison is going to the first, but far from the only.