Another key part of this. A big reason why Andre wasn't suspended was the reputation of Finnegan as an instigator. Incognito fits that description as well. On this very play, it looked like Incognito "punched" Smith in between his facemask from the reverse angle, which set Antonio off. All said, though, I'm 50/50 on whether it's a fine or one/two games. I don't think it warrants a suspension, but if it's a short one and the league feels compelled to make a statement, whatever. I could see that. The only thing that bothers me is the holier-than-thou, morality police who seem to be hoping the league throws the book at him. Smith isn't the first guy to go over the line in an on-field altercation, and whatever discipline he gets needs to be in line with established precedent.
Would it have killed him? Probably not. Could it have? Yes, it could have. People have died from less. What about the teen soccer player who punched a ref and killed him? You're a big muscular athlete swinging a hard object at somebody's unprotected head. Death may be unlikely but is easily possible.
Incognito is a joke. Getting his ass kicked so he had to play dirty with Antonio. Hopefully it's just a fine.
are we just going to ignore how incognito got under the facemask and kept pulling? that could have resulted in death for the ninja.
Lol at "holier than thou" "Guys, he's a dirty player and he punched me, so let me rip his helmet off and swing it at him." Yeah, acceptable. But it's okay, he missed.
my scorecenter app said he's expected to be suspended for the remainder of the preseason.... he's so lucky he missed.
Suh got two games for violently stomping on an opponent with no provocation. If you think Smith should get the same or worse for a missed swing when he was clearly provoked (and against a player that's a known instigator), that's showing no regard for the established precedent.
I didn't see Smith trying to swing to hit. I saw it more of a swing of the helmet to threaten Incognito and make a statement. Anywho if it's just preseason suspension, it's a non issue
Yup. Per Schefter, it's a preseason suspension -- and one of the two games (the finale in Dallas), he wasn't even going to play anyway. Appropriate response. http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp...ected-suspended-2-preseason-games-source-says
If Smith had connected, he would've been suspended for far more than two games. Provocation or no provocation, you don't swing a helmet at a guy's head. At all. He should be very, very thankful his depth perception was off or we'd be having a very different conversation right now.
so he basically just took off Incognito's helmet? He swung the helmet but I didnt see any intent to hit him. LOL at writers saying this is worse than Suh or Albert, he didnt even hit the guy
thats debatable. he swung his helmet, but it didnt look like he was even trying to connect. Gesturing something is never as bad as actually doing something
I think that players get game checks for preseason, so this will cost Smith some money. Hopefully, the league will start watching Incognito closer and fine him appropriately. How about $5000 for the punch that brought on the swing?
I'd gladly trade in those 2 preseason suspensions for 2 regular season suspensions...in return for a perfect helmet to face smash. **** Incognito, the guy is a worthless piece of ****.
The NFL should have a tag team steel cage match with Innegan and Incognito on one team and Andre and Antonio on the other team.