The Wheat hit

[stiletto]

I try not to put anyone on ignore, so sometimes I end up lecturing/responding when I know it's best to just keep my mouth closed. Maybe one day I'll learn.

I've never put anyone on ignore for having a different opinion or arguing. Bad forum etiquette is one that gets me sometimes. I go way back. lol

 

[RonWashington]

In game speed the refs are thinking helmet to helmet . It wasn’t .

 

[RonWashington]

Wheat & Joseph both gave the DL a nice jolt Sunday

 

[gimmesix]

I've never put anyone on ignore for having a different opinion or arguing. Bad forum etiquette is one that gets me sometimes. I go way back. lol

That gets me too. I enjoy the site when we're discussing the game instead of calling others names or ripping into them for their opinions. Not saying I haven't done that at times, but overall we can disagree without resorting to acting like children. I've spent too much time on that high horse, though, so I think I'll get off for a while.

 

[MarcusRock]

Nonsense. Head and neck area is meant to take in body parts, not expand the strike zone. How do you even call that…he got “near” his neck? You can’t even type this with a straight face. But then in the same paragraph, you give “clear” instruction on how to avoid an infraction. It was a reactionary judgement call based on the EFFECT of the hit, not the mechanics.

You haven't explained to me why the rule defines "area" first though. It's redundant to say area when you just mean head and neck as off-limits and then talk about an area later. The rules state you cannot hit someone in the "head and neck area" verbatim before any further clarification is listed. Is this correct or did the rules "misspeak" like some with the Dez no-catch call were trying to say? Lol. If the rules define "head and neck area" as off-limits, then when you hit near his neck, you're in that area, are you not? Again, look at the video and where Wheat's left shoulder ends up as he's launching upwards.

So first you ask me this question:

OK...but what would you tell the defensive player to do differently? Don't tackle him? Let him complete his pass? Play flag football?

Then when I do say what he should have done differently, including hitting Fields, you have a problem with it as if there couldn't be a "clear instruction" for a defender. Since the rules are clear (to me), then there are clear things Wheat could have done to not get caught up in those clear rules, such as what I listed ... that you asked for .... that you now take issue with.

 

[Rayman70]

No it didn't. Completely legit hit.

Agree. I mean, if they gonna call THAT leading with the helmet, lets just make them play without helmets..lol..its ridiculous. YES, it was a violent hit, but his helmet never touched his face mask, it was all on his chest area. Wheat is a big DE, power guy, so it looked bad. The ref was wrong and it isn't in the spirit of the roughing rule. Refs being cautious is one thing, but to assume it was a foul automatically is not why that rule is in place. If the steelers wanna protect their QB , maybe the oline should have been better...hmmm... What about when Dak was sandwiched by 2 guys in the game? One defender hit his head with the helmet, BUT it didn't look as violent, yet no call. The video you posted tells the story.

 

[Rayman70]

It was pretty close. I don't think anybody here would have a problem with it if it was our quarterback getting hit like that and a flag coming out.

Dak got hit in the head when he was sacked and no call. Because it didn't appear as sudden and violent as Wheats hit.

 

[RonWashington]

We can’t have “ sudden violence “ in the NFL ?

 

[BoysForLife]

ARTICLE 9. PLAYERS IN A DEFENSELESS POSTURE. It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player​

who is in a defenseless posture. A player who initiates contact against a defenseless opponent is responsible for avoiding an​

illegal act. A standard of strict liability applies for any contact against an opponent, even if his body position is in motion, and​

irrespective of any acts by him, such as ducking his head or curling up his body in anticipation of contact.​

(a) Players in a defenseless posture are:​

(1) A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass (passing posture).​

.​

.​

(b) Prohibited contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture is listed below. However, these provisions do not prohibit​

incidental contact by the mask or helmet in the course of a conventional tackle or block on an opponent:​

(1) forcibly hitting the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, even if the​

initial contact is lower than the player’s neck, and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle​

the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him;​

I mean, pretty textbook. Penalty all day.

Great aggressive play but I agree with your assessment. If he just goes lower he could inflict just as much (if not more) pain with a rib shot and probably avoids the penalty as well

Anytime you go up high on a qb especially in that situation you're inviting a flag. Just the reality in today's NFL

 

[Rayman70]

In the NFL today, any violent hit on the QB gets called, which is bogus.

No part of that was a penalty by rule.

agree. His helmet crown was like 2 inches below the facemask of Fields . If they gonna call that a foul, we can't play the game as constructed. That means heck, just make it a foul to hit the QB, period.

 

[BoysForLife]

Well, you've never seen a Ref you didn't want to breastfeed after blowing a call so there's that too

I actually agree with @MarcusRock on this one, but all the same this comment made me laugh out loud.

Breast feed? Really?

 

[RonWashington]

Ben Davidson the old Oakland Raider had a club on his arm he claimed it was broken or something , used it on the likes of Joe Namath Len Dawson John Hadl whatever QB who had the misfortune .

The defensive player in todays NFL is in a twilight zone . Wheat probably get fined as well .

 

[Rayman70]

btw, I noticed after Wheat sent a message to Fields, the kid wasn't the same for the most part. To me, Wheat gets a game ball for that hit. That wasn't dirty, it was a guy playin his arse off for his team.

 

[Rayman70]

Ben Davidson the old Oakland Raider had a club on his arm he claimed it was broken or something , used it on the likes of Joe Namath Len Dawson John Hadl whatever QB who had the misfortune .

The defensive player in todays NFL is in a twilight zone . Wheat probably get fined as well .

I recall those days. I feel bad for Wheat. Players don't have time to think when they are in the flow of things at DE, they play a violent sport and that can never be removed from the game safely. Have you noticed we have had more bad injuries over the years after they keep trying to "protect players" ie QB's? Its weird, I don't remember this amount of injuries back in the day.I guess at some point the rules committee will deem hitting the QB out of the pocket is a foul....then it will morph into can't hit the QB at all.

 

[RonWashington]

Yes after the Giants game concussions ankles foot injuries . It’s been said the Met Life stadium in Jersey has a garbage surface , injuries result . The NFL should mandate safer better playing surfaces

 

[Rayman70]

I actually agree with @MarcusRock on this one, but all the same this comment made me laugh out loud.

Breast feed? Really?

 

[Rayman70]

Yes after the Giants game concussions ankles foot injuries . It’s been said the Met Life stadium in Jersey has a garbage surface , injuries result . The NFL should mandate safer better playing surfaces

oh man, yes that stadium was and IS trash. The Vet was worse.

 

[RonWashington]

Yeah the Vet was garbage . Jerry must have spent on the surface in Arlington I don’t hear as much complaints or see a ton of injuries.

 

[Rayman70]

the NFL was and is and SHOULD REMAIN, Controlled chaos. I hope it never changes.

 

[Cowboys5217]

It was pretty close. I don't think anybody here would have a problem with it if it was our quarterback getting hit like that and a flag coming out.

The problem is, is that we rarely get that call. Do you recall the research done on here years back that showed Romo was over 1000% LESS likely to get a roughing call than Brady or Rogers?

The sticker on the helmet makes all the difference in the world.