DMN Blog: NFL fines Jay Ratliff and Denver's Ryan Clady

[YosemiteSam]

it is violent ... but the players are getting bigger and bigger, as well as more and more explosive in tackling. given the advances we've made in understanding concussions, etc. it would be irresponsible to not take extra precautions to try to avoid them.

They are women playing a mans game. Stop being a wussy and play some FOOTBALL! :laugh2:

 

[Shake_Tiller]

I don't have a problem with the penalties, even when they're borderline, because I do see the need to protect the QBs, more because they are in a vulnerable position than anything else. But I disagree vehemently for fining a player unless it clearly is a "dirty" hit. Yes, these guys make a lot of money, but you are still taking something from them, and the fines aren't insignificant. Fines ought to be handed out only when there is a very, very clear reason.

 

[Kevinicus]

Any type of head to head contact is not protecting the QB. This was a face to face hit, there was no leading with the helmet or any crap like that. It is actually probably the safest possible hit for both players involved. Neither player has force at awkward angles or excessive force at the head. 95% of the force of the hit is in the body with this type of hit, and there's basically a tap of facemasks together.

It's not a hit to the head really. The heads touch, but that is just a result of 2 men facing each other. The only way to avoid this is to have one man duck his head down which is much more dangerous, especially for the man making the hit, but also for the QB being hit since the area being hit by the head/shoulder in this case is MUCH smaller but with the same force. This means more pressure at the point of impact and greater chance of injury for both players.

I can understand a rule against spearing with the head or grabbing the helmet, but these penalties where the helmets just happen to touch each other, or the helmet gets a little slap are ridiculous and protect nobody and only injure the game.

 

[joseephuss]

I don't have a problem with the penalties, even when they're borderline, because I do see the need to protect the QBs, more because they are in a vulnerable position than anything else. But I disagree vehemently for fining a player unless it clearly is a "dirty" hit. Yes, these guys make a lot of money, but you are still taking something from them, and the fines aren't insignificant. Fines ought to be handed out only when there is a very, very clear reason.

That is exactly right. The refs may not be able to figure out intent during live action, but in most cases you can tell if a player was aiming for the head or pulling up on the QB during replay and slow motion. There is no need to fine a guy if after watching the tape you can see he did not have intent to deliver a deliberate blow to the QBs head or now his legs.

That is the truly ridiculous part of all this. Gene Washington, I think that is who is in charge of these fines has gone overboard. He really is out of touch as to what is happening out on the field. It is very much a physical and fast game. A defender can only do so much to make sure he doesn't cheap shot a QB while the QB is moving. The flags I can put up with even though they are somewhat inconsistent. The fines are a joke.

 

[AdamJT13]

Just maybe the college and high school ranks have it right and the NFL is wrong.

Helmet-to-helmet contact against defenseless players is illegal in college (rule 9-1-3) and high school (9-4-3i-3), too.

 

[casmith07]

That "fans want to see the superstars" theory is exactly what has ruined the NBA for me and tons of other former fans.

If Goodell goes down that path, I may have to look to college for my football.

I won't be looking to college for my football fix if Jimmy Clausen wins the Heisman this year. Mark my words: if he wins, I will not watch college football ever again.

 

[WoodysGirl]

More fine mess
3:06 PM Fri, Oct 09, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer/Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips

Left tackle Flozell Adams was fined for tripping and kicking by the NFL for infractions against the Giants and Carolina, but center Andre Gurode was not fined by the league for his tripping penalty last week at Denver.

Hmmmmmm.

Denver left tackle Ryan Clady was fined $5,000 for his unnecessary roughness penalty when he kicked DeMarcus Ware.

 

[craig71]

Helmet-to-helmet contact against defenseless players is illegal in college (rule 9-1-3) and high school (9-4-3i-3), too.

I don't think that Ratliff would have been flagged in either a college or high school game.The play by Ratliff is pretty much taught from pee-wee ball all the way to college.Ratliff kept his head up and didn't duck down and lead with the head.Thanks for posting the rules though.

Craig

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I won't be looking to college for my football fix if Jimmy Clausen wins the Heisman this year. Mark my words: if he wins, I will not watch college football ever again.

I don't blame you.

 

[gbrittain]

I won't be looking to college for my football fix if Jimmy Clausen wins the Heisman this year. Mark my words: if he wins, I will not watch college football ever again.

I do not like Nortre Dame, not a fan at all. Just curious whats the beef with Jimmy for?

 

[LandryFan]

And you might as well get used to watching great matchups like Brian Hoyer vs. Jim Sorgi and Charlie Batch vs. Troy Smith

Are you old enough to have watched any football in the 60's-70's? I don't recall QB's missing a lot of playing time due to the hits they took.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Are you old enough to have watched any football in the 60's-70's? I don't recall QB's missing a lot of playing time due to the hits they took.

I can see wanting to change the rule but I'm surprised so many people complaining it was a bad call. Ratliff clearly made solid helmet to helmet contact. It wasn't straight on, temple to temple but Ratliff's helmet clearly hit KO's and it wasn't just a glancing blow.