NE vs SD, which loss would you enjoy more

[baphamet]

He got a concussion after he hit the floor.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/12/brandon-browner-not-fined-for-big-hit-on-ladarius-green/#comment-3836947

No suspension, no fine.

read that article real close.......

Green did suffer a concussion on the play after taking a big fall, but it wasn't because Browner struck him helmet-to-helmet, as officials called it in the heat of the moment on the field.

nobody is saying it was helmet to helmet, that was the call the officials made on the field and yeah, that was not correct. however, let me again quote the rule.....

“It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture.
(a) Players in a defenseless posture are: [. . .]
(2) A receiver attempting to catch a pass; or who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a runner. If the receiver/runner is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player;
[. . .]
(b) Prohibited contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture is:
(1) Forcibly hitting the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him; and
(2) Lowering the head and making forcible contact with the top/crown or forehead/”hairline” parts of the helmet against any part of the defenseless player’s body.”

http://nflcommunications.com/2011/12/27/definition-of-a-defenseless-player/

i would suspect he didn't get fined because it was so close but unless you want to argue he was not a defenseless receiver at the time (and you would be wrong again), it was indeed a penalty.

[fallforward3y+]

i prefer allowing lower hits to higher hits because it's the lesser of the two evils. you can always hurdle someone that is going low or try to get low like they do. worst case scenario you have a lower leg injury, which a player can come back from and even if they don't they will still be okay in the long run.

head trauma from getting hit in the head can cause brain damage and as we seen in multiple cases recently, cause serious mental issues that they think was a key contributor to players committing suicide.

to be honest, this really isn't a debate for smack, its a pretty serious issue actually.

Agreed, a low shot isn't as bad. The main way players get hurt from low shots is if a defender is diving at their knee without wrapping up I would say, a wrap up and take down of the leg probably wouldn't get you hurt. Diving at the legs without wrapping up is a bad technique anyway.

Shots to the head however, are different. As you said, they can cause more long term issues in life.

[fallforward3y+]

Except many players have come out and said they would rather be hit high in the head than have their legs taken out and suffer a possible career ending knee injury.

So let's put flags on them! They get paid millions and in this day and age all of them know and accept the risks of playing football

As Birdman said, players are suing the league over them not being told about the risks of head injuries, I haven't heard much about knee injuries. If they feel this way, maybe they should come out and criticize players who sue the league. You hear complaints about the rules, but you also hear about players suing the NFL over injuries, yet those players don't seem to criticize players for suing the NFL. The NFL isn't going to let players do whatever they want to them and not do anything to protect themselves, and IMO nor should they.

I remember James Harrison saying if he were a receiver he'd tell defenders that he would pay their fine if they got fined for hitting him high, but please don't hit my knees. Personally, it sounds like he was saying that because he wanted to be able to hit receivers helmet to helmet when they aren't running with it. I really don't see very many career ending knee injuries, season ending maybe..but those are very different things IMO.

I don't really mind most of the hitting rules for defenseless players, and in truth I think people overreact to them. It only says that you can't spear a guy in the helmet, it doesn't say you can't hit them hard when they're defenseless. It's better to put your shoulder on the ball if you want to jar it loose anyhow, and really it's better to go for the ball. It really doesn't seem like the defenseless receiver hitting rules hurt defenses very much.

It is easier on pass offenses now it seems, however that probably has to do more with the illegal contact or pass interference rules.