Week 12: (7-3) Pittsburgh Steelers @ (2-8) Buffalo Bills

[mjb2124]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

I think Solly Wilcotts made a great observation today about how the league is going through a transition in how the officials call games and since the Steelers are a very physical team that plays hard defense it's hurting them more than any other team in the league. It's not just picking on the Steelers it's just that the Steelers may need to adjust their defensive intensity/style in light of these new rules. It's not fair but that's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.

I just don't see how that's possible. How do you ask players to play less hard or less intense? Now they're just asking for injuries and a watered down league. As Jack Lambert said many years ago in reference to QB's - "Put skirts on them". Forget the QB reference, that's happening to all players. If I wanted to watch that, I'd watch soccer.

This is where I have a problem. I said earlier that this is going to be a slippery slope with what the NFL is doing - many seemed to disagree, but I knew I was right. What we're seeing is the very beginning of the NFL moving into something close to a two hand touch league.

Of note, I do realize player's have crossed the line at times and think that's unacceptable. However, I disagree with taking such drastic measures after one bad weekend of football a few weeks ago.

[tripwire]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

I think Solly Wilcotts made a great observation today about how the league is going through a transition in how the officials call games and since the Steelers are a very physical team that plays hard defense it's hurting them more than any other team in the league. It's not just picking on the Steelers it's just that the Steelers may need to adjust their defensive intensity/style in light of these new rules. It's not fair but that's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.

Meanwhile, whistles are blowing the play dead, and Ben is being pulled and piled up on by 2 Bills in the 4th Q.

No flag

Some things never change

[Lintyfresh85]

How bad was the Johnson TD drop?

[mjb2124]

Quote: Originally Posted by BurghFan

Ugh, the Steelers won but it sure doesn't feel like one. Freaking Chris Kemoeatu and his holding penalties killed several drives and negated the 1st down that would've allowed the Steelers to run out the clock.

Yeah that doesn't feel like a win and Kemo was terrible. He had a ton of bad holding penalties.

[mjb2124]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lintyfresh85

How bad was the Johnson TD drop?

Took the heat off of Lee Evans for dropping the first play of OT. Both of them were brutal.

[SPTO]

Quote: Originally Posted by mjb2124

I just don't see how that's possible. How do you ask players to play less hard or less intense? Now they're just asking for injuries and a watered down league. As Jack Lambert said many years ago in reference to QB's - "Put skirts on them". Forget the QB reference, that's happening to all players. If I wanted to watch that, I'd watch soccer. This is where I have a problem. I said earlier that this is going to be a slippery slope with what the NFL is doing - many seemed to disagree, but I knew I was right. What we're seeing is the very beginning of the NFL moving into something close to a two hand touch league. Of note, I do realize player's have crossed the line at times and think that's unacceptable. However, I disagree with taking such drastic measures after one bad weekend of football a few weeks ago.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. The NFL is becoming very watered down with the way the game is being called. I think the NCAA allows too many crazy hits that can end careers but by and large they have the right interpretation of the rules.

Quote: Originally Posted by Lintyfresh85

How bad was the Johnson TD drop?

Hilariously bad.

He literally had the ball for a few seconds, wasn't hit by anyone and dropped it like it was a hot potato.

[rubisco43]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lintyfresh85

How bad was the Johnson TD drop?

cost them them game

[Palo20]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lintyfresh85

How bad was the Johnson TD drop?

So bad that one of the Bills' lineman jumped on Fitzpatrick to celebrate and Fitzpatrick had to tell him that the ball was dropped.