[QUOTE=DanTheNiner;436956]The thing about this is that the return man is allowed to try and put a hit on the gunner in order to let the ball go into the endzone for a touchback, so if no fair catch is called for- you deserve to be fair game too.[/QUOTE] Good point. I thought the same thing yesgterday.
[QUOTE=metro;436777]he mis-timed it, big f’n deal
the ball was a split second from being there, had there been a fair catch then its dirty[/QUOTE]Yep.
[QUOTE=Mr. Bojangles;436815]A split second later and he is a hero for causing a ‘game changing fumble’ and is shown all over SportCenter’s Top 10, ‘Jacked Up’, etc.
[QUOTE=CharSFNiners;436806]I know plenty about football… this isn’t baseball please don’t make it about the familiarity with the game.[/QUOTE] I’m sure you do… but watching games on TV is not the same as being on that field going full speed trying to time the hit.
[QUOTE=Powerbait;436965]Is it really the dirtiest play you’ve ever seen? Really?[/QUOTE]
Well, let’s come up with some dirtier ones. I can think of a few. Dude from Temple breaking dude from St. Joes arm. Albert Haynsworth head stomping. Oregon running back punching Boise State dude. Romanowski and Rodney Harrison had dirty plays throughout their career.
I can think of a lot of dirtier plays than that. Late hits and cheap shots abound. It was a bad hit, poorly timed or ill advised. But I don’t think it was horribly dirty. If he was going for dirty, he could have been a lot worse. Shoot, lead with your helmet. He was probably doped up on adrenaline and saw an opportunity to make a big hit.
[QUOTE=Powerbait;436970]I can think of a lot of dirtier plays than that. Late hits and cheap shots abound. It was a bad hit, poorly timed or ill advised. But I don’t think it was horribly dirty. If he was going for dirty, he could have been a lot worse. Shoot, lead with your helmet. He was probably doped up on adrenaline and saw an opportunity to make a big hit.[/QUOTE]
Specific examples. I gave you some. Extend the same courtesy my way please.
[QUOTE=DanTheNiner;436956]The thing about this is that the return man is allowed to try and put a hit on the gunner in order to let the ball go into the endzone for a touchback, so if no fair catch is called for- you deserve to be fair game too.[/QUOTE]
I can agree with this, except the gunner is staring straight at the return man. If the punt returner decides to go straight at the gunner with all he’s got, the gunner will see it coming. Flip the situation around, let’s say the return man is actually making a play on the ball - his eyes are focused on the sky. You could totally rock someone’s socks over and over if they didn’t have that rule.
Lastly - the scenario just laid out is why they have a fair catch rule IMO. If you think you’re going to get the smackdown, wave your friggen hand and take the freebie!
[QUOTE=hootie;436952]I think what is lost is the guy has to be afforded the oppurtunity to field the ball regardless of whether a fair catch is called or not. You can’t hit him until he has the ball.
Once he touches the ball, blow him up if he doesn’t call for a fair catch.[/QUOTE]
QFT.
[QUOTE=DanTheNiner;436956]The thing about this is that the return man is allowed to try and put a hit on the gunner in order to let the ball go into the endzone for a touchback, so if no fair catch is called for- you deserve to be fair game too.[/QUOTE]
Except rules forbid that. Damn that wretched rule book.
[QUOTE=Over40NINER;436962]I’m sure you do… but watching games on TV is not the same as being on that field going full speed trying to time the hit.[/QUOTE]
Yea, on TV I have slow-mo and DVR timing so I can see exactly how many seconds he had going into it. It was a dumb play and he got the punishment he deserved, plain and simple. It was a ****ty play, if the guy doesn’t have the ball you don’t hit him, plain and simple.
[QUOTE=Powerbait;436965]Is it really the dirtiest play you’ve ever seen? Really?[/QUOTE]
Not the dirtiest. The only reason it even makes me think twice is b/c of the way McNabb got his rib hurt in Week 1 after he was already down in the end zone.
In all honesty, the reason this was a horrible misjudgement by Wesley is b/c it was 7 to 7, and it could have easily swayed momentum. I guess it was a good thing the Bucs are as bad as the Panthers.
[QUOTE=CharSFNiners;436981]
Yea, on TV I have slow-mo and DVR timing so I can see exactly how many seconds he had going into it. It was a dumb play and he got the punishment he deserved, plain and simple. It was a ****ty play, if the guy doesn’t have the ball you don’t hit him, plain and simple.
Not the dirtiest. The only reason it even makes me think twice is b/c of the way McNabb got his rib hurt in Week 1 after he was already down in the end zone.
In all honesty, the reason this was a horrible misjudgement by Wesley is b/c it was 7 to 7, and it could have easily swayed momentum. I guess it was a good thing the Bucs are as bad as the Panthers.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I think it was more of a dumbass play than anything else. Roy Williams injured 4 players in one year with horsecollar tackles.
[QUOTE=NinerAdvocate;436955]he sure as hell looked like it. Did you see his face as he walked off the field?[/QUOTE]
If the suspension is light, you can count on some retribution come next game. If I was a Buc gunner, I would be pinning my ears back if vigilante justice is needed.
[QUOTE=stonecoldken;436957]The NFL & NCAA need to cut out the crybaby PR Fair Catch anyway. Bring back the XFL rule of a Free Ball after 35 yards. That was F***ing awesome!
Arena League, which is now AF2, doesn’t has a free ball on missed FG’s, missed PAT’s, punts, etc. Go home & play on the girl’s team, damn it![/QUOTE]
When someone gets knocked into a coma you won’t be think it’s so “F***ing awesome”.
[QUOTE=DanTheNiner;436956]The thing about this is that the return man is allowed to try and put a hit on the gunner in order to let the ball go into the endzone for a touchback, so if no fair catch is called for- you deserve to be fair game too.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=C49erMoose;436977]I can agree with this, except the gunner is staring straight at the return man. If the punt returner decides to go straight at the gunner with all he’s got, the gunner will see it coming. Flip the situation around, let’s say the return man is actually making a play on the ball - his eyes are focused on the sky. You could totally rock someone’s socks over and over if they didn’t have that rule.
[/QUOTE]
What Moose said. There’s a big difference in being able to see the hit coming when you’re the gunner and being blasted unexpectedly when you are looking up for the ball as a returner. You have no chance to brace because you don’t see it coming and you are not in a defensive position to field the block.
[QUOTE=X-49er;436984]What Moose said. There’s a big difference in being able to see the hit coming when you’re the gunner and being blasted unexpectedly when you are looking up for the ball as a returner. You have no chance to brace because you don’t see it coming and you are not in a defensive position to field the block.[/QUOTE]
Hence the fair catch rule. Im not for sure he did or didnt signal, but you have to protect yourself by signaling. There are even rules for how and when to signal. If he did all necessary then its not on him, but i dont know the situation well enough.
[QUOTE=DanTheNiner;436998]Hence the fair catch rule. Im not for sure he did or didnt signal, but you have to protect yourself by signaling. There are even rules for how and when to signal. If he did all necessary then its not on him, but i dont know the situation well enough.[/QUOTE]
It does not matter if he signaled a fair catch or not!!! You still can’t take his head off before the ball gets there while he’s defenseless. The same applies for when a safety or linebacker can level a receiver. You can’t hit him until the ball gets there.
one game without pay[/QUOTE]that sounds about right. the league had to take action against him. regardless of it being intentional or not. no way you want to set a precedent that it’s ok to do stuff like that.