After the NFL began its crackdown against illegal hits on defenseless receivers, Steelers wideout Hines Ward pointed a finger at quarterbacks who lead players into big hits via the placement and timing of passes.
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, who gradually become the most outspoken player against the league’s stance on illegal hits, is now blaming the shift to wide-open offense.
“The game has evolved in a sense that, of course, people are bigger and faster now, but it’s also evolved in a sense that it’s not eight guys in the box every down and two guys in the backfield,” Polamalu said, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “When you start spreading teams out and you start getting space and distance — and you’ve got to get that burst to make that hit — that’s why you’re seeing a lot more hits than normal. It’s because of the way offenses are playing.”
Even if Polamalu is right (and we doubt that he is), the change in offensive philosophy doesn’t justify illegal hits against defenseless receivers.
In the 1970s, the NFL decided to open up the game by instituting a series of rules changes aimed at creating more offense. Since then, the NFL has vaulted to the pinnacke of the American sports consciousness. Though defensive players may not like it, all players are getting paid what they currently are getting paid because of it.
One of these rules protects defenseless receivers, so that they can make a catch without having to worry about getting their heads removed from their bodies. The easy solution? Don’t hit the receiver in the helmet or with a helmet, until after he has become a ball carrier.
It’s really that simple. But yet Polamalu and other members of the Steelers organization — who have a clear bias in favor of keeping defensive play rough and tough and brain-scrambling and thus inherently intimidating — have tried to complicate the issue in the hopes that the league eventually will give up.
Hopefully, the league won’t. Even more hopefully, the league will find a way to persuade one of its most storied franchises to think about the broader interests of the game.
That said, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau seems to be a rare voice of reason. “We’ll keep trying to coach within the limits of the rules as we understand them,” LeBeau said, per the Tribune-Review. “I think we can adjust what we’re teaching off what they’re enforcing. You have to play the game as the rules are. They want us to lower the target of the tackle, and we’re trying to teach that.”
Hopefully, they’ll listen to LeBeau. If they won’t listen to him, they won’t listen to anyone.
For the love of God, would you freaking stop posting articles that sound like the Steelers are fighting IN FAVOR of illegal hits?
What’s the matter with you?
Yeah Florio, its so simple that every week officials continue to blow calls. It so simple that neither the players themselves nor the general public seem to have any idea why the majority of these flags are being thrown.
If people like you are so upset at the sight of players getting lit up then lets just make it two hand touch. At least then everyone will understand the rules.
…and then in the span of an hour you posted this:
“Browns fans want T.J. Ward to bring the lumber on Braylon”
So hard-hitting football is cause for celebration, except if the Steelers do it, in which case it’s dirty play?
Mostly defenseless receivers should watch out for the defenders more so they don’t get hit as hard without seeing the guys coming. That would solve the problem better than rules changes.
I wonder how they’d feel if they started carting off Steelers by the bucketful and their careers ended right then and then.
It’s bad enough that they’re trying to get the commissioner to give in but they also have the balls to say that the players need to have a say in the fines – bull crap.
Meant Bucket Full.
The reason the Steelers are whining, of course, is because they know they’re not a very good football team and the only way they can win is if they’re allowed to play dirty.
the league has found a new system for keeping the games interesting right to the end and thus keeping fans from turning tv sets off hurting their last hour or so of games especially nationally televised and big market team games.
and that is by the team who has totally dominated the game has a big leaed – they must -1- not try to run out the clock in a boring style. 2- keep putting the ball up for grabs which if it doesnt cause an interception at least stops the clock. ben r. for ex. up 27-7 ball i=on cinci 45 late in 3rd threw 3 incomplete then a touchback punt 15 seconds not 3 or 4 minutes at least off cinci time to tie. AND they are doing it practically every week. and if comeback needs some help the refs become involved too. this league NOW is run by people interested in entertainment NOT sports.
Florio says: ” One of these rules protects defenseless receivers, so that they can make a catch without having to worry about getting their heads removed from their bodies. ”
” mattroark says:
Nov 13, 2010 11:16 AM
Mostly defenseless receivers should watch out for the defenders more so they don’t get hit as hard without seeing the guys coming. That would solve the problem better than rules changes. ”
The receivers should be aware of their surroundings. If they don’t want popped either protect yourself and/or don’t catch the ball. Funny how this all gets put on the defense. I guess just like so many hold calls not called this is all about increasing the amount of TDs.
Mike, by the sounds of it you may have not played the game of football before. Part of this great game is seeing who is mentally tough as well as physically tough.
You WANT players worrying about their own pain and not thinking about catching the ball. As a defensive player it is not our job to let players FIRST become ball carriers and then try to knock the ball out.
I am all for dropping the hammer on players for TRUE dirty hits. But if the NFL keeps this crap up they will have one less fan.
Way to stir the pot and manufacture views/posts. You might not like what Polamalu said, but he is completely right. He did not say that they are justified in hitting illegally. YOU made that leap. He simply said that if you have more open spaces and more passing you are going to have more hits of that nature. Not rocket science.
Clearly, Polamalu and the Steelers are sending a message this week to the Patriots that Tom Brady, Wes Welker and crew are not coming out of this game without some mud, blood and grass stains and at least bruised egos.
And, if they don’t like getting hit, there is always an alternative – the Lingerie Football League would probably be thrilled to have them
This is all a$$ backwards. Enough is enough, in the same week that Ngata is fined for an illegal hit he is also named AFC defensive player of the week.
What the NFL now is doing is trying to change the mind set of playing football. The pressures of the past injuries caused by hard hitting have caused some veterans to have permanent disabilities. After a career in boxing most have some brain damage so NFL hopes to minimize the effects of playing football. Those fans that really don’t care are similar to the fans that watch the gladiators fight to the death and cheer when the death blow was given or get off when a race car driver is involved in a big wreck.
Florio…you have Steelers envy. All you write about them is negavite things. They aren’t the only team that is blasting Dictator Goodell. Why don’t you write about them?
You must pull for a team like the Bengals that never have won anything. You can’t stand the fact that the Big Bad Steelers have won the most Super Bowls.
The NFL tried to mess up the Steelers season by taking Ben away for 4 games, then giving them 3 straight road games…but guess what…the Steelers are right in the thick of things.
Sorry Florio….your wee little mind just can’t handle it.
Seems to me that 6 rings says the Steelers know what they are doing and saying . Dont hate the Steelers for doing what they always do . Play hard physical football . Florio let it go man .
that was AWESOME pigpen…never heard that one before. and that might be the most original screenname i’ve ever seen.
that said, not sure where troy’s going with this one and i’m an obvious homer. i do agree that the league has gone a little overboard with all these offensive rules. they get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to offensive players facemasking defenders (ask T. Suggs on Thurs., or unless its a lineman on a defender), benefit of illegal contact even when the offensive player potentially invites or initiates the contact (Roddy White….still on the fence on the no-call on Thursday, but plenty ppl are making a federal case out of it so its a good example), defenseless receiver (i dont even know what that is other than a guy being in midair. if you arent smart enough to read a coverage and sit down in a zone, then maybe pro football isnt the place for you. seems like its a place where the most sophisticated understanding of the game is taking place) yet no protection against the blind side cut block for interior lineman (other than outlawing the high/low block) and nothing to prohibit the infamous “crack back” (ask Chad Clifton against Warren Sapp) or “wham” blocks against “defenseless” (since the definition of a defenseless receiver is obviously someone who’s not looking) defenders. i could go on,but i think you get my point.
Bottom line is that the NFL isnt anymore concerned about player safety than the cop who pulls you over for speeding on a road with no traffic. However, they are both concerned with generating sustainable revenue however they can. The NFL realizes that viewership drives revenue and unfortunately, while people love big hits, they’d rather see them while their team is also putting up 40 pts/game. Only purists love a good 9-6 defensive battle. The NFL has expanded its reach far beyond the purist fanbase, and its a reality we should all accept. Defense wins championships, special teams wins games, but Offense sells tickets and puts butts in the seats.
mattroark says:
Nov 13, 2010 11:16 AM
Mostly defenseless receivers should watch out for the defenders more so they don’t get hit as hard without seeing the guys coming. That would solve the problem better than rules changes.
===============
There haven’t been any rule changes. Just a recommitment to enforce existing rules.
Not that you would know that from talking to anyone on the Steelers.
Florio isn’t so much anti-Steelers as he is a fawning sycophant for the League, who are, after all, a client of his. He’ll say whatever makes it appear that the League is all-knowing, all-good, and useless to oppose.
It’s pretty simple really, when the Steelers can’t cheat, they can’t be as successful, so of course they’re upset about this.
The reason the Steelers are whining, of course, is because the officiating has been horrid this entire season so far on BOTH sides of the ball, and none of the fines or penalties have been given with any sort of consistency. Now Florio points out that one can’t “hit the receiver in the helmet or with a helmet, until after he has become a ball carrier.” which is also incorrect because the NFL doesn’t want you to lead with the helmet at all, regardless of before/after/during a catch. The problem is, there seems to be an inconsistency as to when a receiver goes from “defenseless” to “not defenseless”. In the Colts game, Collie caught the ball AND took 3 full steps before he was hit, and the penalty was for ‘hitting a defenseless receiver’. If the NFL and Goodell are going to crack down from on high, they need to have the legitimacy of being consistent at it or their position holds little weight.
There’s a fine line her and a double standard- A defensive back that holds back to wait for the completion is very likely to miss the tackle, which quickly translates into being an ex-NFL player.
Yes pigpen, the steelers are not a verh good football team, they are just better than your team and most of the rest of the league… Also Florio, you come off as more of an NFL puppet every week. Maybe you should find a voice of reason for your site.
Florio – Please stop editorializing in every post about enforcement of illegal hits. Every time someone makes a comment, you refute it in the article.
Try to be a little less biased, please. Just report.
Take a look at all the posts. EVERY SINGLE ONE, you have editorialized. You have taken a position and argued for it.
Thank you, Mike, for being a voice of reason here.
You know, it is kind of ironic, that Steeler players are so vocal. The Mike Webster lawsuit is/was one of the reasons the NFL is becoming so proactive when it comes to head injuries. This has not only become a safety rule, but a money situation. The league has to protect itself against future lawsuits and show that they have taken preventive steps when it comes to head injuries.
I remember the early nineties, when blitzers discovered they could come in at QB’s, helmet to chest, then slide the helmet up into the chin of QB’s either knocking them out or in some cases signal callers were biting their own tongues in half.
Rules were set in place to stop it.
Look. Helmet to helmet hits aren’t going to be allowed. The era is over. For league lawsuit reasons, because you can’t have players knocked out cold on a field – it’s over.
The sooner everyone realizes this the better because as far as the league is concerned, this is not up for debate.
If you complain get ready to be dissapointed. Your voice is not going to be heard.
I swear, the only people who do more whining than the Steelers’ defense are the Steelers’ fans.
Maybe you all should plan a trip with Hines, Troy and James to go skirt-shopping.
Give it a rest already, Pittsburgh. Your shrill complaining is hurting our ears…
Jesus… The I didn’t know the big bad ass “Steelers” defense was such a big group of F!@#%# cry babies.. STFU and play football..
Wow…@Steeltown6 is right, this is getting out of control.. I think everyone’s sick of hearing how you think the Steelers are the poster children for helmet to helmet hits and paralyizing people. Yeah they play hard (um, it’s football, not cricket, you pansies) but noone’s out to end peoples careers or lives. Cmon Florio, don’t turn into ESPN..
Oh yes, pigpenrapeswomen , the Steelers are not a very good football team. You got us. Look at the facts idiot, the Steelers have the third most wins over the past decade and 2 Super Bowl wins. They are a horrible team.
edgy, common, the Steeler players do take hits but they get back up. Hines was hit helmet to helmet a few weeks ago and got right back up.
How many careers have the Steelers ended by the way?
5’10″ 180 pound recivers getting knocked out by linebackers. Maybe scrawny little pansy shouldn’t be playin the sport of men. Pussification of the game. Probably the greatest franchise in NFL history (and I’m a dolphins fan) should change the storied way they play defense because a few guys aren’t tough enough to play the game they shouldn’t be playing. It’s disgusting.
Hey Florio there is no such thing as a defenseless receiver that term the you and the NFL keep using is pure BS. No one at a football game is defenseless, they should be paying attention and playing the game. If you do not want to get hit do not throw in the middle in front of safeties. The defensive players cant play anymore the NFL is getting stupid. Florio maybe you tell a story without written or spoken words, if only NBC though like the NFL LOL.
I totally agree with the Steelers…..it’s football and the NFL wanted more offense and with the spread formations, this stuff is going to happen. I am a Vikings fan but have always admired the way the Steelers play the game. Just becuz they hit hard and focus on defense doesn’t mean they are a dirty team. Guys like Brady and Manning etc. need to toughen up. I wish football would go back to “3 downs and a cloud of dust”.
Wow for someone whos says they hate complaining people like artmodelsbitch and cincinatti sure whine a lot. Change your tampons girls.
Floorboy,
You correctly call Dick LeBeau as a “rare voice of reason” in your post as you argue against Troy Polamalu’s observations.
HOWEVER, in the original Tribune-Review article, LeBeau also states, when asked for his opinion of Polamalu’s comments“That’s probably accurate… Offenses are spreading the whole field from sideline to sideline, putting four and five wide receivers out there and making you defend the whole field.”
So, which is it, Mikey? Is Dick LeBeau a “rare voice of reason”? Or do you doubt that he is correct since he agrees with Polamalu?
How about the “Defenseless receivers” defend themselves…what an F#@$ing concept!!! Perhaps, that means they don’t catch the ball & they don’t score. So what? The last time I checked, it was MY responsibility too make sure I didn’t get hurt. I’m the one who’s responsible if I step in front of a bus. Personal responsibility is the one thing our society is lacking these days!!! Silly girls, Footballs for men!!!
“There haven’t been any rule changes. Just a recommitment to enforce existing rules”
This kind of crap makes me want to puke. If you are able to do something, and then all of a sudden you’re not. That’s a rule change. Use some common sense people.
The funny thing is that football has remained perfectly entertaining with lots of brutal, passionate, and violent hits over the past few weeks – all perfectly legal.
And the NFL has never changed the rules, they’ve just changed the enforcement of the rules. Steelers really are a bunch of whiners. You dont hear other teams moaning about the new fines for illegal hits.
One of the things that should be done is to get rid of the illegal contact penalty which is a poor man’s pass interference. That penalty has always been absurd and always will be.
i think palamalu is right.the steelers play a 3-4 defense.when an offense sends 4 and 5 wr.out for recptions,there are 8 defensive players lb,dbs and 4 or 5 wr.running full speed big collisions are going to happen.i understand trying to not go helmet to helmet with wr.but with so many people flying around alot of these hits are not avoidable.most wr. coming across the middle try to get down before the hit when they do this it changes pad level ,so now a hit to the midsection is now a helmet to helmet hit.when j.harrison was fined for the hit in the browns game if the wr.was not dropping the ball harrisons hit would have been legal,but i thought the hit on cribbs was dirty.
The complaints that this is all from the Steelers are contradicted by the fact that other players have also complained and even player reps have come to take Polamalu’s side. This is a wide-spread controversy that pits offense against defense, not team against team.
Its natural for everyone to bash the Steelers, we understand. The price for being the best.
Losers.
6-2/six rings
If the Steelers didn’t talk about illegal/legal hits so much, people likely wouldn’t link them to illegal hits so much.
And for those who thinks Florio needs to not editorialize and give straight reporting, I think you need to read the AP and not a blog. Bloggers get to give opinions because they are not reporters. They are a different sort of journalist. So ease up a little, eh?
Yeah, the Steelers are sending a message alright. It goes something like, “we just aren’t smart enough to understand what everyone else in the league was able to process in a weeks time.” It is comical to see all these “explinations” of what exactly is the cause of this problem besides player stupidity. It took Brandon Merriweather all of a week to figure it out and he is still laying the wood. I wonder if James Harrison tried the same approach when his dog mauled his daughter. “Honey, it’s not my fault. I know the rules say you are supposed to train a dog well before putting it around small children, but really it is god’s fault. He wants the dog to hurt people.” Learn to keep your feet on the ground, idiots!
hamburghlar1 says:
Nov 13, 2010 12:53 PM
Wow…@Steeltown6 is right, this is getting out of control.. I think everyone’s sick of hearing how you think the Steelers are the poster children for helmet to helmet hits and paralyizing people.
===================
You’ve got it completely backwards.
It’s not everyone else accusing the steelers of being the poster children for illegal hits.
It’s the Steelers themselves not being able to shut the hell up about it that is causing people to identify them most closely with the issue.
Steeltown6′s first comment was EXCELLENT. But the reason Florio keeps posting these stories is because they’re comment magnets. You can always count on the ignorant to come on and rail about the dirty Steelers.
And we have edgy, who can’t seem to look at a still photo and see that Harrison has been fined for LEGAL hits and Hampton was just flagged for doing EXACTLY what he was supposed to do–which is what has caused the confusion. He’d rather pontificate about how the Steelers would feel if someone carted one of our players off–as though that’s never happened before and as though our players are arguing to make illegal hits.
Then there’s pigpenrapeswomen, who should be banned simply for the vulgarity of his screen name, a guy demonstrating he is sooo obsessed with the Steelers that they are the core of his blogging identity.
Yes, Florio will continue to pretend he doesn’t get it because it gets him page clicks.
#
SteelTown6 says: Nov 13, 2010 11:09 AM
For the love of God, would you freaking stop posting articles that sound like the Steelers are fighting IN FAVOR of illegal hits?
What’s the matter with you?
_______________________________________
As soon as they stop DOING it, he’ll stop writing about it.
Florio continues his assault against Smashmouth Football with yet another derogatory story about his childhood team.
The James Harrison Rule is an abomination, just like the Mel Blount Rule was in it’s time.
Why not post an article about how the NFL acknowledged that refs blew two calls against the Steelers on Monday night during the drive that almost cost the Steelers the game?
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10317/1102974-66.stm
Why is Florio not reporting on the most important Steelers news of the week?
I get the whole head shot thing….
but here is my problem with this story.
2 years ago it was below the knees that were the issue, and now basically its anything that comes close to a head eerrrrr touching the qb on the helmet, is a 15 yard penalty.
It is all but illegal to tackle the qb.
these are grown men who have legal conscent to play the game. they are and have been fully aware of the risk involved their entire lives.
If you as a league,player, owner, are afraid of risk, then this is not the game for you.
But this is what happens when you have lawyers running things eerrr white house, congress, roger goodell.
Even if Polamalu is right (and we doubt that he is),
______
right because hes only a defensive player in the nfl, been to numerous superbowls and probowls, and has played in the nfl for years.. yeah i doubt he knows what hes talkin about lol
n u puttin we doubt that he is right, means u have no idea wether u know if hes right or not ur just assuming and takin a biased opinion because ur hired by the suits. good one.
OPEN LETTER TO STEELER CONSPIRACY THEORISTS:
Enough is enough. You sound more ridiculous with each post. Honestly, who’s whining? I would argue that its YOU. For example: The league cheats for them, the refs cheat for them, the players hit illegally, the Steelers were the only team using steroids in the ’70s, Superbowl XL was fixed, the list goes on. The man was obviously asked a question about the recent rules re-emphasis and he answered it. Would you be more apt to agree with his words if he wore your team’s jersey? I’m willing to bet that you would. If you can get past your childish jealously of the Steelers, then perhaps you could allow yourself to see the broader point here. Btw, could you please provide a single quote of ONE person associated with the team who specifically mentions their support for ILLEGAL hits (and yes, they need to explicitly endorse ILLEGAL hits, not something you want to twist to that effect)
The game has changed over the years, from rules to revenue to salaries etc. You could argue that those changes have made the game more appealing to a more diverse audience. I think that increase has peaked for at least the time being, and perhaps for good in light of these recent changes. They are making some fans disinterested whether it be due to rules changes or increased emphasis on existing rules (all depends on how well you understand whats going on currently). Others because of the blackouts (in an obviously tumultuous economic time) and the NFL’s arrogant refusal to endear themselves to the plight of their fans/viewership in light of the economy. Goodell is watering down the sport (at least on the professional level) and as long as he is running things, the game will continue to resemble what we used to know as football less and less.
He did report on it—-yesterday
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/12/report-league-tells-steelers-two-calls-were-blown-on-monday-night/
Because he’s a shill for the League?
Simply, if the players on the Steelers are too stupid to be able to play within the rules that the vast majority of other teams and players do, then its time to start going after their coaches and owner as well with big fines.
…and i thought my x-wife was a jackwagon..
footballrulz,
My bad! Though rather than coming out against bad calls, Florio manages to twist the story into a breach of protocol by the Steelers, and something that they should be punished for?
When did Florio decide to abandon his boyhood team? It’s almost as if he is hoping for their demise.
The Steelers should not be quiet about the league’s assault against Smashmouth Football!!
The Mel Blount Rule, the Hines Ward Rule, and now the James Harrison Rule have not helped football one iota, yet that’s precisely the arguement Florio and his ilk are making… so sad for football purists!
It’s supposed to be a tough game!
If Jared Allen or any other Viking player made the statements that Polomalu made, Florio would be calling them “words of wisdom”. Just like he did with the illiterate babbling of Pat Williams.
tomahawk12 says: Nov 13, 2010 1:41 PM
“Its natural for everyone to bash the Steelers, we understand. The price for being the best.”
Yup, it’s our burden… Fortunately for the haters, it’s a problem they’ll never have to worry about.
/ wink
Florio won’t be happy until NFL players wear tutus with flags velcroed to them!!
@rulz …
With the other, it is what it is. But you?
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
:”’
Deb
Not rendering any opinions here, just pointing out that FLo reported on the bad calls deal. I’m in total agreement that this is turning into a “spin” site but hey, I still like the comments.
I’m not a hater unless your team is in the NFC North and does not go by the name of “The Packers”. Actually like the way the Steelers play.
Ahh! More pearls of wisdom from Stealer ….oops …. Steeler Nation:)
@rulz …
That’s not what I’m talking about. You need to visit your alternative space.
@rulz …
But I’m relieved to see you apparently haven’t been visiting …
Polamalu, you are an idiot. Get an education. Defensive players strategy is to injure receivers, so the league finally had to crack down. No hits to the head or with the head. How difficult is that to understand?
If Harrison (and friends) is not good enough to play within the rules, then he should retire. Stop whining about it like a spoiled child. It is in the rules. Have you read the rulebook?
Way to go guppies66. Well said!
Done Deb…
My post from around 3 pm, which WAS here, which criticized Florio and PFT in this matter, is now gone. That is really something.
rulz …
You didn’t comment (not here, please). The girl, whose brains were already scrambled, has been radically confused for days.
@guppies66 and minanten …
Video and still photos shows that Harrison was just fined for a LEGAL HIT NOT INVOLVING THE HEAD and NOT MADE ON A RECEIVER. Polamalu hasn’t been fined for any illegal hits. The confusion is because the league has been fining players for LEGAL hits. NO ONE complained when they fined and flagged players for illegal hits. The league’s inconsistency is the source of the confusion. And you’ll be screaming just as loudly when they fine one of your players for a legal hit. Now run along if you can’t keep up.
holeinone09,
Don’t feel special, it happens to everybody.
Florio is a Spinmeister, and he gets his panties in a wad when the scales of public opinion don’t weigh enough on his side…
Deb, you are either blind or as unintelligent as James Harrison (and apparently Troy Polamalu).
Harrison lowered his head and initiated a helmet to helmet hit to Josh Cribbs, which left Cribbs unconscious. Then in the same game, Harrison’s knocked out Massaquoi with a direct head shot. If you had read the NFL rulebook, which clearly you haven’t, with any intelligence at all you’d understand that these are clear violations.
Since Harrison is not a very good tackler, he relies on kill shots to injure the opponent. Harrison’s own comments show his stupidity.
“I don’t want to injure anybody. There’s a big difference between being hurt and being injured. You get hurt, you shake it off and come back the next series or the next game. I try to hurt people.”
“I thought Cribbs was asleep. A hit like that geeks you up, especially when you find out the guy is not really hurt, he’s just sleeping. He’s knocked out but he’s going to be OK.”
He is either inhumanly callous or seriously stupid, if he believes that intentionally knocking someone unconscious is not injuring them and putting their future health at serious risk. Just ask John Mackey, who no longer recognizes his wife. And he played in an era of actual great defensive players who tackled using good hard-hitting technique, not the cowardly head shot style employed by today’s cheap shot artists.
Harrison’s quotes also prove my earlier contention about the affirmative defensive strategy to injure offensive players as a means to winning. The league should continue to identify these cowardly players with escalating fines, suspensions, and banishments until they’ve made it clear that head shots will not be tolerated.
While it is not surprising to see this type of play and commenting from James Harrison, it is disappointing to hear Troy Polamalu chime in on that side of the disagreement. By all appearances, he has always been a hard-hitting, but clean player who comes across as intelligent and educated. Maybe/hopefully its a teammate thing?
@guppies66
Actually Massowhimp lowered his head into Harrison’s head because Massowhimp knew he was about to be destroyed, so he curled up into the fetal position wishing his mommy could make it all better… Massowhimp should have taken the hit like a man.
clock1is1king’s ignorance isn’t ever worth these words. If you’re not smart enough to discuss a topic, then you should leave it to those who are.
Let me say that if I was concerned about my safety and falling to my death, I wouldn’t fly in airplanes. Since I still continue to fly I feel it is assumed that I am willing to take the risk knowing the results. I’m betting that the plane won’t crash. It’s my choice and my risk.
Now, if I were an average sized NFL receiver and chose to run a short cross pattern into Mr. Harrison’s zone, it’s also assumed he knew the risks. As a matter of fact it’s only because of Mr. Harrison’s sportsmanship and benevelance toward others that that dumb SOB can still walk and talk. He knew the risks of crossing the field against any of the most fear causing, hardest hitting pros in this league, the Pittsburgh Steelers!
Go STEELERS… bring it on Sunday night. Don’t allow these boygirl fans stop you from dominating the Pats.
guppies66 says:
Nov 14, 2010 1:00 AM
clock1is1king’s ignorance isn’t ever worth these words. If you’re not smart enough to discuss a topic, then you should leave it to those who are.
————————————————
So then I guess your days of posting here are over…
bkao664 is another example of the stupidity that shows up on this issue.
First, the example is not relevant since to be a like comparison it would need to include facts for example regarding the illegal and faulty non-maintenance of the aircraft.
Second, like every other genius here, he has no understanding of the rules.
As to Mr. Harrison’s benevolence, based on his actions and attitudes, he really is a weak-minded person and (since he apparently doesn’t have the ability to play within the rules) non-talented NFL player. Go Steelers!
Deb
Look again
Deb, Deb, Deb and the other Steeler sycophants:
Did I EVER say something about Harrison in this post? My God, if I were to say “Patriots”, does that automatically mean that I’m talking about Tom Brady. I made a comment about the STEELERS and their WHINING. I didn’t comment about any specific player OR specific play.
Deb, I did comment once about A hit by Harrison and it was a helmet to helmet that even the former DEFENSIVE player that was working as the analyst called it a helmet-to-helmet on a defenseless player.
As for the rest, I never said that they had ended the careers but how would they feel if someone else ended theirs? Will it take a Darryl Stingley incident to get them to realize how stupid they are and how much they’re risking? Are you fans willing to volunteer to wipe their ass or wash their balls for the rest of their lives if they have to be taken care of because they’re no longer able to care for themselves? You begrudge them sympathy now because they supposedly make millions so I would say that this is a big fat “NO!”
I’d say the same thing if this were the Cowboys or anyone else because I was saying the same thing when Cowboy fans were whining about the horse collar rule. Roy Williams had ended the seasons for several players with horse collar tackles and it was a good thing for the entire league. I wonder how many of you Steeler fans would be as wild about Roy playing against you NOW if he was able to end Mendenhall’s season with a horse collar? How many of you would be happy to watch Ray Lewis “Turkey Jones” Roethlisberger? How will you blood lusters feel if they don’t cut down on these hits and you end up having guys playing down the stretch that should be in the Arena Football league and they hold the key to your season?
BTW, it’s a load of bull crap that these hits can’t be avoided. The fact is that these guys are taught by their coaches OR they take it upon themselves to lead with their helmets. You can still have a lot of hard hitting without all the kill shots and the NFL wouldn’t lose its luster. 20 years ago, the NFL didn’t have nearly as many of these hits and they were even more popular than they are today (In terms of ratings, NFL ratings were higher across the board) so don’t give me any crap about how you’ll stop watching it if they take the hits out because it seems that some of you have, even with the hits in.
Well now, if the Steelers can get Roger “The Gorilla” Goodell fired, then they would accomplish something.
well edgy, it just stands to reason that you’re talking about harrison. who else has been fined or vilified for an illegal hit since all this began? and if your DEFENSIVE studio analyst is Rodney Harrison, then there’s no need to even respond to the hypocrisy of that analysis.
BTW, what is your expert analysis of the hit on Austin Collie if helmet to helmet collisions are totally avoidable? While the league decided not to fine Coleman, the hit was penalized during the game. The exact opposite of Harrison who was fined, but not penalized.
in response to your other question, we blood lusters would feel like, “next man up”. the only bitching you’d hear from us would be a call for fines like our players get when we dish it out (and we may not even do that, depends on how “dirty” the hit is). Also, Roy plays for the Bungals now and we see his sorry ass twice a year (when he’s healthy), and NO, we are not scared of him. he was exposed long ago as a fraud.
steelerdynasty2010 says:
well edgy, it just stands to reason that you’re talking about harrison.
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Only if you’re not reading what I wrote. Seriously, how does “how would they” feel translate to Harrison? Seriously, does he refer to himself as I, me and we? That’s for all the whining players for the Steelers and not JUST Harrison.
Second, did you even look at the play? The guy that got the penalty, LED with his helmet and hit him. Again, for the intellectually challenged: when you lead with your helmet, it doesn’t matter whether the offensive player lowers his head or not, you’re trying to go for the kill shot. NO SYMPATHY.
Now, if you’re whining and you’re a Steeler fan, so you are, about the play and that Coleman got fined and pwoor, wittle James Harrison was (:cry:), I can’t help you. In the first place, the hit was worse and in the second place, genius, what was the league going to do, throw a 15-yard flag and make them play the game from that point on? Jesus, THINK before you type this BS.
I doubt that at all. When Roy was allowed to horse collar, a lot of players, of which, you’re NOT, didn’t want to be horse collared. You can bet your ass that if the horse collar was still legal that Roy would be getting a little extra attention from guys who were afraid to be taken down by him.
Troy is right and the author of this article hates the Steelers. It’s a rough team, it’s a rough game. Where is the illegal hit that Hines took on Sunday night? Where’s the fine? OH NO, NOT THE PATRIOTS!!! They only cheat. Nice haircut Brady.
A bad call? The Steelers should start knocking out officials. Since they are “a part of the field”, I’d knock the crap out of them. Grandpas.
Obviously whoever wrote, “Have you read the rules book” doesn’t see the titles of most of these hits!! THEY WEREN’T IN THE RULES BOOK UNTIL THEY GOT THERE!! I don’t even know why we will watch football anymore. I’d like to see these rules implemented in hockey. The players would beat the crap out of Goodell. I would LOVE to see that!
Did YOU watch the play? He didnt lead with his helmet. He likely wouldnt have made contact at all had it not been for the impact of his teammate forcing Collie backwards into him. and “it doesn’t matter whether the offensive player lowers his head or not”??? are you serious?! let me get this straight, you’re telling me that it should be OK for an offensive player to LOWER HIS HEAD AND LEAD WITH IT and not the defensive player??? this happens ALL THE TIME when people try to run someone over! do want to mandate juking now too? and i should think about things before i type them?
your next paragraph is incoherent, please try again.
are we to assume that you ARE a player since you so astutely pointed out that I am not? either way, what does that have to do with the fact that Roy Williams was exposed as a fraud a long time ago, is rarely healthy enough to play, has become irrelevant, and made guys “afraid” only because he used a cheap technique to tackle people (NOT because of his football skills)?
btw edgy, you’ve yet to provide examples of whining by either fans or players (save for Harrison, his faux retirement is indefensible, so i’ll concede that point)…other than that, everyone else i’ve heard has come out in defense of the physical, violent game that we’ve come to love over the years. so if you could please illustrate that point for us all, that’d be great..
steelerdynasty2010 says:
btw edgy, you’ve yet to provide examples of whining
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You’re a real piece of work. The whining is all over here and ESPN and every Steeler blog. If YOU can’t find it then you DON’T want to find it.
steelerdynasty2010 says:
Did YOU watch the play?
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Yes, SEVERAL TIMES. Do you even understand what LEADING with the HELMET means? He didn’t try to use it as a BULLET like Harrison does but he hit the guy with his helmet because he was leading with it. As I said before, if you use proper form tackling, you don’t get yourself in that position.
Look, I’m saying that since you’re NOT a player, you’re pretty frigging brave with your talk about Roy Williams. It’s really easy to sit there on the sidelines and talk about how YOU’RE not afraid of a player or that you’d have no problem taking the hits when you’ve never experienced anything like it.
Twenty or thirty years from now when these players are unable to care for themselves, will you volunteer to wipe Harrison’s ass or wash his balls because the head injuries have rendered him incapable of doing even that? Would you repay all the blood thrill that he gave you by doing that or would you simply say that he knew the risks and he was paid millions of dollars to take those hits like the rest of the retards here? I’m going to say the latter..
Oh and if you were actually paying attention ANY WHERE on PFT, you’d see that I’ve savaged Roy Williams for NOT being a good player and that the only thing that kept him around was that he was able to get away with what he did until they outlawed it.
If it looks as though I’ve already made my comment, why hasn’t it come up? Or is edgy the only person allowed to preach here?
So much for the joy of having our comments come up instantly. I have to go. It’s irritating to discover people have been misunderstanding and deliberately distorting your comments and your not allowed to clarify.
@guppies66 …
My earlier comment was re Harrison’s hit on Brees. It was flagged as a late hit–a judgment call that could have gone either way. But he was then fined for spearing Brees, and still photos show he didn’t. The Cribbs hit wasn’t illegal because Cribbs wasn’t in the defenseless position–that’s why the Pats’ hit on Ward wasn’t flagged, though it was a deliberate helmet shot that caused a concussion. Harrison was NOT fined for the Cribbs hit …
2
Massaquoi WAS a bad hit, and I called him out when I saw it. He was fined $75,000. My only concern was the extra $25,000 was for repeat offense–an earlier gang tackle of Vince Young that had nothing to do with spearing. But tacking on the extra made many think James was being fined for both Cribbs and Massaquoi when the NFL said he was not.
Well, guppies66 …
edgy can post treatises, but I can’t post four little paragraphs despite repeated tries. Managed to get two to post before they caught me. It’s never been a problem on ANY other thread. Apparently this thread is special. Only special opinions allowed.
Cute, pft.
@guppies66 …
My earlier comment was re Harrison’s hit on Brees. It was flagged as a late hit–a judgment call that could have gone either way. But he was then fined for spearing Brees, and still photos show he didn’t. The Cribbs hit wasn’t illegal because Cribbs wasn’t in the defenseless position–that’s why the Pats’ hit on Ward wasn’t flagged, though it was a deliberate helmet shot that caused a concussion. Harrison was NOT fined for the Cribbs hit …
Massaquoi WAS a bad hit, and I called him out when I saw it. He was fined $75,000. My only concern was the extra $25,000 was for repeat offense–an earlier gang tackle of Vince Young that had nothing to do with spearing. But tacking on the extra made many think James was being fined for both Cribbs and Massaquoi when the NFL said he was not.
By doing that and fining James for a legal hit on Brees, the NFL created confusion and made the issue about Harrison instead of about player safety. I have no problem with punishing players for bad hits. Instead of trying to make news with cockeyed and confusing announcements, I’d rather they simply enforce the rules.
I’ve explained this to edgy before but he prefers to pretend we’re advocating for illegal hits and to post treatises on “blood lusters,” Darryl Stingley, and drool rather than pay attention to legitimate complaints about poor communication and confusing practices.
Anyway, guppies, finishing the thought I wasn’t allowed to post earlier: By overfining James on the Massaquoi hit and fining him for a legal hit on Brees, the league made the issue about Harrison instead player safety. I have no problem with punishing players for bad hits, but they handled the situation badly.
I’ve explained this to edgy before but he prefers to pretend we’re advocating for illegal hits and to post treatises on “blood lusters” rather than pay attention to legitimate complaints about poor communication and confusing practices.
edgy:
basically came up with nothing on the whining huh? its ok, it was a trick question. i knew you wouldnt find any before i asked….lol
if you’ve watched that play several times and you still see coleman leading with his head and/or not using proper tackling technique, then i dont know what to tell you. its obvious that’s not what happened but you insist, so we’ll just have to agree to disagree. and i am hardly the one whose knowledge and understanding of “LEADING with the HELMET” you should be questioning. BTW, what is your version of “proper form tackling”?
i guess you’re functioning as Roy’s personal hype machine. You’re right, it is easy to say i’m not scared of Roy, because it happens to be true. Perhaps you’re impressed and/or intimidated by what they do for a living. The same does not happen to be true of me and I really couldnt care less if you believe it or not. and now you can speak to my experiences on top of it all? really?
i will offer them the same support they offer me in my old age..none…why would i and why would they? they dont need my approval to go and play football. i’m sure they couldnt care less about what i think about their chosen profession because i’m sure they feel the same way about mine. and how does this relate to your earlier points anyway?
you flatter yourself, do you really think i’m going to search for your earlier posts? from what i’ve read on this one, your previous posts cannot be worth the time and effort.
Head and Shoulder Spokesman analysis is perfect..
Pittsburgh Defense is crappy this year so lots of plays are happening down the field. So instead of Helmet to Helmet at the line of scrimmage – which nobody sees – it is just more evident now how Pittsburgh plays.