NBC: Hit that injured Lockette was illegal, but NFL didn’t fine Heath

[jobberone]

Hit that injured Lockette was illegal, but NFL didn’t fine Heath
Posted by Michael David Smith on November 6, 2015, 6:27 PM EST

AP

The NFL has confirmed that Cowboys safetyJeff Heath committed an illegal blindside block when he inflicted a season-ending neck injury on Seahawks receiver Ricardo Locketteon Sunday. But in a surprising decision, the NFL did not fine Heath for the hit.

Ordinarily, fines for illegal blindside blocks are $23,152. NFL head of officiating Dean Blandino said in the NFL’s weekly officiating video, however, that league discipline considers other factors beyond strictly whether a penalty was committed, and Heath’s hit wasn’t considered dirty.

“As part of the discipline process, when it’s reviewed during the week, you can consider mitigating factors, mitigating factors such as the receiver’s head level changing. Those types of things are considered in the potential fine process. On the field, the rule is strict liability for the player delivering the block,” Blandino said.

It’s surprising to see the NFL let a player off without a fine when he committed a penalty that resulted in another player being seriously injured. But the NFL’s decisions on fining players are often surprising.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ockette-was-illegal-but-nfl-didnt-fine-heath/

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Why not outlaw all hitting. Geeze.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I disagree since Lockette saw him and dropped his head to make a collision.

Hell, these butt clowns can't even decide what a freakin catch is.

 

[Tabascocat]

Sounds about right coming from a guy who never actually reffed an NFL game.

Illegal hit = no fine
it was deemed legal on Sunday which would have still been a fine according to the NFL

Blandino has no idea what he is doing, how did he get that job anyways? He needs fired and is slowly ruining this game.

 

[Fizziksman]

how was that illegal? the reason Lockette got hurt was because he lowered to head into Heath lol.

 

[Frosty]

I disagree since Lockette saw him and dropped his head to make a collision.

Hell, these butt clowns can't even decide what a freakin catch is.

The NFL is just covering the officials backside.....supporting the refs and appeasing the fans in the process......everyone is happy....they got the penalty and no fine for Heath... wonder why they didn't say the same thing about Golden Tate's hit on Sean Lee a few years ago....that was clearly a cheap shot

 

[RS12]

This sport is slowly turning into field hockey.Skirts cant be far off.

 

[Aven8]

More like they said who the hell is Jeff Heath?? He can't make much money!!

 

[JDSmith]

This sport is slowly turning into field hockey.Skirts cant be far off.

WWE, at least the officials in field hockey are legit.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

They had a discussion about this on NFL radio this morning, and they all agreed that it was not a dirty play, hit, or even a penalty. Its one of those plays that happens in the course of the game.

 

[Ultra Warrior]

Total garbage. Completely legal. Had the player not gotten injured, zero would have happened. Not even a flag.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

To be honest, the hit didn't even look that hard to me. It was the result of Lockette laying there motionless that made it look like a vicious hit in retrospect. Heath hit him from the front, not the side. So how was it a blindside hit? He didn't lead with his helmet either. And if it was a violation, why wasn't he fined? I don't even think they called it a penalty during the game.

 

[Doomsday]

Wow, I guess we have two totally different definitions of "blindside block"

 

[JDSmith]

I think they are calling it a 'violation' because their helmets made contact. Which is just some nonsense so that they can avoid admitting that the call on the field was terrible, and even the league office can't fine him for it with a straight face. It is football, people collide, it's as simple as that.

Maybe the league office should fine those officials for screwing us out of a first down by granting back to back timeouts.

 

[LandryFan]

Wow, I guess we have two totally different definitions of "blindside block"

Well, we have 87 definitions of a catch, so why should blindside blocks be any different. Where in the hell is the common sense on any of this stuff? I would love to see Blndino's film review and explanation of how that hit was "blindside"...especially if shown against 100 other hits that were far more aggregious but deemed legal. Absolutely pathetic, inexcusable officiating.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

The only way that is a "blindside" hit is if Stevie Wonder was wearing Lockette's uniform on that play.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Well, we have 87 definitions of a catch, so why should blindside blocks be any different. Where in the hell is the common sense on any of this stuff? I would love to see Blndino's film review and explanation of how that hit was "blindside"...especially if shown against 100 other hits that were far more aggregious but deemed legal. Absolutely pathetic, inexcusable officiating.

What good would it do to see Blindino's review or explanation? His opinion or "expertise" isnt worth anymore than a pile of dog crap.

 

[LandryFan]

What good would it do to see Blindino's review or explanation? His opinion or "expertise" isnt worth anymore than a pile of dog crap.

I wouldn't expect a valid or knowledgeable explanation, I would just be curious to see how much of a dumb *** he could make himself look like.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

I wouldn't expect a valid or knowledgeable explanation, I would just be curious to see how much of a dumb *** he could make himself look like.

Blindino's looked like a complete fool on pretty much everything since the Dez catch so its safe to assume he would look like a total dumb *** on this as well

 

[texbumthelife]

In other words, Blandino came out and said it was illegal before the NFL made their official ruling, which should have been not illegal. Instead, they had to do some PR bull crap and come up with this horse piss to save face for Blandino.