Per Adam Schefter <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>NFL fined Texans LB Tim Dobbins $30,000 for hitting Jay Cutler - even though Dobbins claimed Cutler ran into him.</p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/268798761386524672" data-datetime="2012-11-14T19:33:13+00:00">November 14, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Wait is that even fair? To fine someone for hitting a runner in that manner? They're just going after this one because it was on a QB (who became a RB) in primetime.
Nothing surprising here. Welcome to Roger Goodell's NFL, where if you dare touch a known quarterback, you should thank your lucky stars you aren't booted from the league. Oh how I miss the days of Paul Tagliabue.
I'm fine with it. There's no point in claiming Cutler was a runner when he was in the process of throwing, regardless of it being deemed an illegal forward pass. He caught him high, and that's an automatic flag/fine in this league. I'm just happy they didn't suspend him a game, which is always possible.
Dobbins took one for the team, his hit probably secured the win. The difference with Mays' hit and Dobbins is that Mays followed through with the hit (and the ripped ear made it more graphic), Dobbins sorta let up after the initial contact. But both could have avoided their respective hits or hit lower at least.
If you're past the line of scrimmage, YOU ARE A RUNNER. Simple as that. Dobbins identified that and delivered a hit. At the last possible second, Cutler decided to make an illegal throw. It's simply unrealistic to expect Dobbins, who had already begun launching his body, to A) process that Cutler had decided to switch back to a thrower, even while completely illegal and B) contort his body to duck out of the way, all in a split second. But, as Donny said, Goodell and his crew saw a marquee QB and a head injury, and went into standard PR mode. All the while delivering significantly less punishment to a guy (Slauson) who unnecessarily and maliciously caused a much more serious injury. It's not about safety. It's about the PR. **** you, Roger.
Mays led with the head. Dobbins led with the shoulder and initially hit Cutler in the throat/chest area (with his shoulder). Unfortunately, with Cutler and Dobbins of similar height and running the same direction, the heads did collide a split-second later. But there's no way to completely avoid that. It's just the physics of football, and both players knew the inherent risk going in.
Not a big deal for him. He knocked Cutler out of the game, we won the game. And he wasn't suspended. Win/Win for us.
Yeah, who cares how much the fine is as long as he doesn't miss any games. I'm pretty sure he can afford the fine.
Horsecrap - go watch the video. Cutler never tucked the ball - he approached the LOS half speed, completely upright, eyes downfield, pumping the ball. In fact, Dobbins wasn't coming full speed at him either. He didn't commit to nailing Cutler until AFTER Cutler released the ball. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/P-wu6VwU6hI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> 5-6 sec mark: Cutler pumping, at least a yard behind LOS. 7 sec: Cutler releases, Dobbins still hesitating 8 sec: Dobbins nails Cutler Being a homer is all well and good - but ease away from going make believe.
He didn't commit to nailing Cutler until AFTER Cutler crossed the line of scrimmage, thereby becoming a runner. Once Cutler was past the point where he could legally throw the ball, Tim committed himself.
