Between multiple flagrant fouls not being called on the Broncos for cheap shots and Cam not being forcibly tossed into the concussion protocol on the sideline when it seemed pretty damn clear he needed to be, it was a less than stellar evening for the NFL's "safety initiatives". I mean, I will admit I was pretty fervently rooting for the Broncos in that game, but even I think the Panthers were screwed by the refs. There were several times 15 yards and a first down should have been given to Carolina.
One of my "if I were commissioner" drums that I've banged for a long time is the need for independent medical at games. Or, in simpler to understand terms: the ringside doctor from boxing.
Collinsworth pointed out last night that, while the league has the concussion doc, it comes down to the team's decision on whether a player goes back in or not.
That needs to be taken out of the teams' hands. Period. End of story.
As for the refs, I think if we're going to continue to use instant replay, then replay should be used to review any potential head shot. I don't necessarily blame the refs for missing them sometimes, because any time I see a could-be head shot, I need to see it on instant replay to confirm. This is the sort of thing replay should be used for, not to stare at every borderline catch trying to see a bobble.
For what it's worth, I agree with your assessment on a good number of the hits.
Now, I am sympathetic to defenders when they complain about a QB who takes off as a runner and ducks their head down right before contact, and gets hit in the head by a defender who was aiming squarely at the body before the QB moved his head there.
That's not what these hits were. These are plays in which Cam Newton is a passer - out of the pocket perhaps, but still upright and looking to get rid of the ball - not plays where Cam has pulled the ball down and committed to being a runner.
I am also not sympathetic with saying "I was leading with the shoulder" while hitting a 6'5" QB who is upright in the head.
The only hits in that clip in which Newton's head is not at his upright elevation are ones where one Bronco is pulling him downward and then a second Bronco tees off on him.
They need to make personal foul penalties not offset as well. Make it so it gets applied minus the offensive penalty yardage and an automatic first down.
They need to make personal foul penalties not offset as well. Make it so it gets applied minus the offensive penalty yardage and an automatic first down.
The problem with that is the offensive personal foul vs. a defensive pass interference. I'm sure most teams would much rather have the ball at 1st and 10 on the 16, rather than x and y at the 45.
They need to make personal foul penalties not offset as well. Make it so it gets applied minus the offensive penalty yardage and an automatic first down.
The problem with that is the offensive personal foul vs. a defensive pass interference. I'm sure most teams would much rather have the ball at 1st and 10 on the 16, rather than x and y at the 45.
You would have to figure out a way to make sure the side of the ball that committed the personal foul would not benefit 100% from it.
I'd like to see something like temporarily removing a player from the game for a personal foul hit.
Like, a penalized defender has to sit out the remainder of the offense's possession + their next possession.
Full on ejection is overkill, this is more like a penalty box idea. But taking players off the field would be a lot more of a deterrent than 15 yards and a fine that any NFL starter is going to laugh at.
So I'm a filthy cord cutter who is using Playstation Vue (level 1) at $30/mo. Sony is offering RedZone for $40/season but I'd need to upgrade to Vue (level 2) at $35/mo. So, $40 + $5 x Sep-Dec = $60 full price for the season.
These OVer The Top live TV packages make no sense. I get a Fios Triple Play with way more HD channels for $114 a month with a cable card and one HD box. 75/75 Internet
Leave it to Cleveland to let a rookie QB drive for a TD on them his first game.
I've watched a bit of that game but FCS rookie vs. the corpse of RGIII is hard to handle.
So far, Tampa has shut down Atlanta's offense, except for the fact the safeties forgot to cover Mohammed Sanu on one play. I mean, he wasn't on the team last year, so it's understandable, right?
Teams are going to throw a lot of deep balls on Tampa this year, because the safeties suck in really, really sucky ways.
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