After viewing the DeSean Jackson hit numerous times, I am having a hard time believing that this was an illegal hit and I am an Eagles fan. When I view it, Jackson looks like he is running a crossing route at full speed and Robinson leads with his shoulder into Jackson's chest. The hit still looks awful but at the same time completely legal. What am I missing here? I guess the defenseless receiver call could work but I don't think Jackson was. What is the NFL's definition of defenseless receiver anyway?
There is really no way to stop a hit like that. Running full speed (when you're DeSean Jackson, that's effin fast) and not looking, cornerback lowers his shoulder also sprinting. It's legal, but man, it needs to stop. Give them less pads and that won't happen anymore, IMO. They feel invincible in that armor, so they do things that they normally wouldn't otherwise, like trying to basically decleat a guy when a regular tackle would do. Yeah, I know, "it's football", but maybe it's time we changed "football". <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jmsAdwm7LHQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jmsAdwm7LHQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>
Yeah, I can agree with that. I am not saying I want these types of hits to keep happening just the way the rules are now it looks completely legal. They do need to take steps to prevent this type of stuff when wrapping the receiver up would simply take care of it instead of a missile hit. I really feel bad for Kolb in this situation too. Quarterbacks always feel bad when they lead their receivers in to hits like this and you can see in the video that Kolb look as upset and worried as anybody on the field.
my theory is it's the helmet. you've got this contraption around your head that is basically unbreakable so it gives a false sense of security. change the helmet back to the leather days, and i guarantee defensive backs aren't going to launch themselves head first anymore.
Minimize the pads all over. Not just helmets. The shoulder pads basically create this sledgehammer they can throw into people without fear of breaking their own collarbone, etc. If players were more concerned about protecting their own bodies (i.e. less padding) they wouldn't be as concerned with destroying their opponents body. It would work, but the union would NEVER go for it, too short sighted on their part. The game has gotten too big and too fast. They need to really look at ways to slow it down and cater more to the offense. People will still watch, even without guys getting into car-accident caliber collisions all the time.
I was about to bring up the Dunta Robinson hit but I see the discussion has already started. No way should that be a penalty when he led with his shoulder? What do they expect Dunta to do in that situation? That hit was about the only thing our defense did yesterday smh
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From one angle it looks like a helmet to helmet hit. From the the other angle it looks like what you described. The rule says you can't hit them in the head or neck and defenseless is up to the official.
I don't see any angle where it looks like helmet-to-helmet to me. Defenseless is up to the official, really? So there is no definition on what a defenseless receiver actually is?
It looks like the helmets make contact from the Falcons endzone to me. I think the view from the Eagles endzone is a better view. I don't know if the actual rule goes into specifics. I think they called it based on it being a blow to the head/neck area. [rquoter]All players in virtually defenseless postures are protected from unnecessary hits by the defense, which include helmet-to-helmet contact, helmet-to-body contact, and blows to the head. Intended receivers of forward passes who fail to catch the pass are considered to be in a defenseless position immediately after the pass is missed. If the pass is caught, all of these restrictions are off, unless in the opinion of the covering official, something unsportsmanlike occurs.[/rquoter] http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-070927askjerrymarkbreit,0,4129003.story [rquoter]The key rules change for player safety bars a defenseless player from being hit in the head or neck area by an opponent who launches himself and uses his helmet, shoulder or forearm to make contact. Previously, those kinds of tackles were banned against receivers who couldn't protect themselves, but now it will apply to everyone.[/rquoter] http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5024325
I need MJD to have a horrible game tonight to win my fantasy league. Sucks, but I kinda have to root for the Titans over the Glittercats.
I agree with you (and I'm an Eagles fan, too). It was a brutal hit. It wasn't illegal, IMO. 1) He had the ball. 2) It happened so fast, you can't fault Dunta for the collission. 3) It was Dunta's shoulder to DJ's chest. I don't see how a receiver can be considered defenseless with the ball in his hands.
No, you don't. Why can't MJD play poorly and the jags win? That would ultimately be the better scenario.
The Eagles have the Titans next week, the bye, then Indianapolis and Washington on MNF. I wouldn't be surprised to see him sit out until the MNF game in DC given the severity of the incident. Westbrook had the same type of concussion (stayed down for several minutes, memory loss, etc.) last year and if I remember right, he missed 5 weeks total.
