NFL advises officials to begin ejecting players for helmet-to-helmet hits

miami_fan · 11-10-2007, 06:20 PM

Illegal hits could cost teams more than 15 yards

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3103608

Quote:

NEW YORK -- The NFL has told its officiating crews to start ejecting players for flagrant helmet-to-helmet hits.

The new policy was outlined Saturday in a memo from supervisor of officials Mike Pereira, which was obtained by The Associated Press. It followed two fines last weekend for what the officiating department had determined were hits against players in defenseless positions.

One fine was against Washington Redskins safety LaRon Landry, who will forfeit a game check of $16,764 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens. The other was against Philadelphia defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey, who was fined his game check of $21,176 for spearing Dallas' Julius Jones.

Two weeks ago, San Diego cornerback Drayton Florence was fined $15,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit that gave Houston quarterback Matt Schaub a concussion.

"Officials will be reminded this week to pay strict attention to these rules and disqualify the fouling player if the action is judged to be flagrant," Pereira wrote in the memo sent to the 32 NFL teams. "Actions that involve flagrant helmet to helmet contact are the likely acts that will include disqualification. Our commissioner and this office remain very focused on the safety of our players."

In the memo fining Landry and Ramsey, NFL director of football operations Gene Washington said emphasis would be on hits against players in defenseless positions.

Landry previously was fined $7,500 for two unnecessary roughness violations on Oct. 21 against Arizona. Ramsey was fined $5,000 on Oct. 14 for roughing the passer against the Jets.

After Florence was fined, the Texans complained that the punishment wasn't severe enough.

"We are disappointed in the sense that we have lost our starting quarterback for at least one game after the player took the crown of his helmet and delivered an illegal blow to Matt's jaw and the fine levied is only a small fraction of the player's weekly pay," general manager Rick Smith said.

"Is that equitable? The punishment doesn't appear to fit the crime when all factors are considered."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

Kodos · 11-10-2007, 06:23 PM

Good news.

Maple Leafs · 11-10-2007, 07:07 PM

Now I wonder how Patriot fans are going to decide this is all about them...

sabotai · 11-10-2007, 07:13 PM

I saw Landry's hit on Clemens. I was surprised he wasn't ejected. Don't think I've seen a more flagrant illegal hit in a long time.

Cringer · 11-10-2007, 07:38 PM

It seems helmet to helmet has been happening a little more again this year, at least in the games I have seen. Good decision. After a couple years though when it starts to go up again they are going to have to start threatening castration.

PilotMan · 11-10-2007, 07:44 PM

well, I have seen a couple this year where the defender was penalized and there was nothing he could do. The penalty was called, and although it was helmet to helmet, it was totally incidental.

molson · 11-10-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Now I wonder how Patriot fans are going to decide this is all about them...

Adorable, more baiting.

Great rule if it's used sparingly. It's one of those "I know it when I see it" kind of things. But sooner or later, someone's going to be kicked out and everyone's going to be pissed.

bhlloy · 11-10-2007, 10:29 PM

There's a very fine line between shoulderpad and helmet, especially from 20 yards away at full speed. I'm with Molson, very soon somebody is going to get thrown out wrongly and everyone will be up in arms about it.

SirFozzie · 11-10-2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Now I wonder how Patriot fans are going to decide this is all about them...

I think it's aimed more at the Bob Sanders of the world..

bhlloy · 11-10-2007, 10:55 PM

To follow up on my earlier post, if they are going to use replay to make sure it's intentional helmet to helmet contact, it's an absolutely great rule. But I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere...

Kodos · 11-11-2007, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

I think it's aimed more at the Bob Sanders of the world..

Yes. Cuz Rodney Harrison isn't routinely voted the dirtiest player in the league. And hasn't been fined heavily for it...

Sweed · 11-11-2007, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by molson

Adorable, more baiting.

Great rule if it's used sparingly. It's one of those "I know it when I see it" kind of things. But sooner or later, someone's going to be kicked out and everyone's going to be pissed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhlloy

There's a very fine line between shoulderpad and helmet, especially from 20 yards away at full speed. I'm with Molson, very soon somebody is going to get thrown out wrongly and everyone will be up in arms about it.

Agreed. I would hope replay is REQUIRED before a player can be thrown out. No matter what it will be at the ref's discretion and some will argue "how does he know the guys intent?" but taking a second look won't take as long as a current challenge replay and will confirm the "I know it when I see it" for most of the coaches\players\fans.

dime · 11-11-2007, 10:22 AM

god, it'd be nice if pats fans took a week off. just one.

what the link didn't mention (found on another article) is that the NFL has also decided to completely remove any and all mentions to the career of chuck cecil.

Maple Leafs · 11-11-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

I think it's aimed more at the Bob Sanders of the world..

Isn't he like four feet tall? It doesn't say anything about helmet-to-waist hits.

SirFozzie · 11-11-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dime

god, it'd be nice if pats fans took a week off. just one.

what the link didn't mention (found on another article) is that the NFL has also decided to completely remove any and all mentions to the career of chuck cecil.

*chuckles* your hate is delicious.

Maple Leafs says "I know the Pats fans will find a way to make it all about them."

I bring up the fact, it could be aimed at someone who says he "goes for the knockout blow on every hit", and just last week hurt himself trying to spear a defenseless New England player on the ground.

I'm the only Pats fan on this thread...

Then you come up with this idiocy.

We're like the boogeymen to you guys, isn't that the case?

14ers · 11-11-2007, 02:23 PM

You see it all the time: A player running with the football who lowers his head and uses it like a weapon to blast through a defender.

Will we ever see an offensive player flagged for leading with his helmet?

wade moore · 11-11-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

We're like the boogeymen to you guys, isn't that the case?

Please don't let dime represent this board, colts fans, football fans, human beings, pat haters, etc, etc.

molson · 11-11-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wade moore

Please don't let dime represent this board, colts fans, football fans, human beings, pat haters, etc, etc.

I've finally realized that there's really only 4-5 people on the board who get off with that kind of baiting

wade moore · 11-11-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by molson

I've finally realized that there's really only 4-5 people on the board who get off with that kind of baiting

Lines like this amuse me.

This level of baiting happens so many times in a given day on FOFC. No one is ever boxed for this level of baiting and baiting period is very rarely a cause of boxing.

PilotMan · 11-11-2007, 04:34 PM

back on topic:

There was a play today where Favre looked like he had gotten hit hard in the head, he held his own head and looked like he was hurt. Two flags came out and the penalty was given, but the replay showed that he wasn't even hit with a helmet, just part of an arm.

This is a big penalty, given during big hits, that sometimes is purely accidental, and yet it can be a huge game changing play.

The refs really need to get a lot better at this or there are going to be many more problems.

Tyrith · 11-11-2007, 09:44 PM

Well, it seems like this is something they do intend to be used sparingly, but to be used. You can usually tell if someone is really trying to take a run at someone. And if there is a really nasty helmet-to-helmet hit that looks flagrant and wasn't...you sometimes have to be careful the positions you put yourself in. Leading with the head will get you into trouble sometimes.

molson · 11-11-2007, 09:48 PM

I think the NFL is scared to death of someone actually being killed on the field, which we're getting closer and closer to with the speed and size of the players. Just another thing to put in the player's heads (and to protect them from liability when that day comes)

Desnudo · 11-12-2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dime

god, it'd be nice if pats fans took a week off. just one.

what the link didn't mention (found on another article) is that the NFL has also decided to completely remove any and all mentions to the career of chuck cecil.

Thinking of you

11-10-2007, 07:07 PM	#3
Maple Leafs Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002	Now I wonder how Patriot fans are going to decide this is all about them... __________________ Down Goes Brown: Toronto Maple Leafs Humor and Analysis

11-10-2007, 07:38 PM	#5
Cringer Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Edinburg,TX	It seems helmet to helmet has been happening a little more again this year, at least in the games I have seen. Good decision. After a couple years though when it starts to go up again they are going to have to start threatening castration. __________________ You Stole Fizzy Lifting drinks! You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and steralized, so you get NOTHING! You lose!

11-10-2007, 07:44 PM	#6
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	well, I have seen a couple this year where the defender was penalized and there was nothing he could do. The penalty was called, and although it was helmet to helmet, it was totally incidental. __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops.

11-11-2007, 02:23 PM	#16
14ers High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2006	You see it all the time: A player running with the football who lowers his head and uses it like a weapon to blast through a defender. Will we ever see an offensive player flagged for leading with his helmet? __________________ I like the company I keep when I am alone. 'The Blonde Bomber'

11-11-2007, 04:34 PM	#20
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	back on topic: There was a play today where Favre looked like he had gotten hit hard in the head, he held his own head and looked like he was hurt. Two flags came out and the penalty was given, but the replay showed that he wasn't even hit with a helmet, just part of an arm. This is a big penalty, given during big hits, that sometimes is purely accidental, and yet it can be a huge game changing play. The refs really need to get a lot better at this or there are going to be many more problems. __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops.

11-10-2007, 06:23 PM	#2
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	Good news.

11-10-2007, 07:13 PM	#4
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	I saw Landry's hit on Clemens. I was surprised he wasn't ejected. Don't think I've seen a more flagrant illegal hit in a long time.

11-10-2007, 10:29 PM	#8
bhlloy Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003	There's a very fine line between shoulderpad and helmet, especially from 20 yards away at full speed. I'm with Molson, very soon somebody is going to get thrown out wrongly and everyone will be up in arms about it.

11-10-2007, 10:55 PM	#10
bhlloy Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003	To follow up on my earlier post, if they are going to use replay to make sure it's intentional helmet to helmet contact, it's an absolutely great rule. But I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere...

11-11-2007, 10:22 AM	#13
dime High School JV Join Date: Sep 2006	god, it'd be nice if pats fans took a week off. just one. what the link didn't mention (found on another article) is that the NFL has also decided to completely remove any and all mentions to the career of chuck cecil.

11-11-2007, 09:44 PM	#21
Tyrith College Starter Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Houston, TX	Well, it seems like this is something they do intend to be used sparingly, but to be used. You can usually tell if someone is really trying to take a run at someone. And if there is a really nasty helmet-to-helmet hit that looks flagrant and wasn't...you sometimes have to be careful the positions you put yourself in. Leading with the head will get you into trouble sometimes.

11-11-2007, 09:48 PM	#22
molson General Manager Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Mountains	I think the NFL is scared to death of someone actually being killed on the field, which we're getting closer and closer to with the speed and size of the players. Just another thing to put in the player's heads (and to protect them from liability when that day comes)

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