Devastating Hits

[Dont Rookie Me........]

I'll try to be as objective as possible on all the hits this weekend. I was going to answer someone post on Harrison being dirty, but I think there is a much bigger question to be answered.

 

1. Harrison on Cribbs - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3FJjqltDmA

To be honest, I thought the hit was fine. Cribbs cut back into the d trying to make a big play and met Harrison who was also trying to make a big play. I can even defend that Harrison might have been shielded by the lineman and saw Cribbs come out the other side, had no idea if he was being tackled or not, so he lowered his body to deliver the impact blow. It just so happens Cribbs was going down, they meet helmet to helmet and Cribbs lost badly. In real time (pretend you are Harrison) you have to assume that Cribbs is still trying to make a play and might break that tackle, you have to go in with authority. He did, could not get much lower and made the play. Unfortunate circumstances.

 

2. Merriweather on Heap - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb1CmHk9GK0

Straight up he lead with helmet in an upward direction. There should be repercussions for this kind of action.

 

3. Harrison on Massaquoi - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81dS21QTgkQ (best i could find)

and Robinson on Jackson - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAR_zEvT7dM

Here is where I do have a problem with both hits. The receiver is defenseless and vulnerable to any impact. The potential for serious injury to the wr is devastating. The receiver has no chance to defend himself and is at the mercy of the oncoming defender.

 

That being said I thought both hits were legal under the current rules. Neither lead with the helmet, but ended up connecting higher then anticipated when the defender lowered their body position. I do not blame the players on any defense for making that play...ever...under the current rules they were legit. So lets change the rules.

 

How do we fix devastating hits? Maybe make a rule that states that an undefended receiver must be wrapped, or at least, an attempted wrap must be preformed rather then leveled. You can still get a huge hit and lower the possibilities of injury dramatically. Once the defender has made an open field move devastating hits are no longer in effect.

 

That is my two cents and I hope they do not leave devastating hits as undefined as it is now.

[Jrick35]

I disagree with you opinion that the Robinson hit on Jackson was legal.

 

I have watched the replays and his head is the first thing to hit Jackson. And he launched himself like a missile. This is a text book example of the types of hits that shopul dbe fined and result in a suspension. These types of hits put both players at risk and are just stupid.

 

Players get hurt and will continue to get hurt this is a fact of football but these types of hits can and should be avoided.

[flemingd]

How do we fix devastating hits?

It's simple, and already in the rules. Don't hit the defenseless receiver in the head, neck, or facemask.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/i...ssary-roughness