Week 11: San Francisco 49ers (6-3) @ New Orleans Saints (7-2)

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Seattle/NFC talk:

Right now, they are the top team in the NFC. Obviously they're not perfect by any means and they're going to have some close games with some of the bottom feeders of the league(which Super Bowl winning team NEVER struggled with those kinds of teams?)but right now, it's looking like the road to New Jersey might go thru the 12th Man.

But yeah, that Saints/Seahawks game should be a fun one and hopefully a good game. Isn't this going to be the Saints' first time back in Seattle since the Earthquake Run?

[The Chef]

Quote: Originally Posted by kehlis

Still roughing the passer though. No different than a defender trying to block a punt, missing and nailing the kickers leg.

My point was Brooks hits him across the shoulder pads, at impact it jerks Brees' head forward shrinking the area between his neck and shoulder pads, that coupled with his head then jerking backwards again makes it look worse then it was. He obvious hit him too high since it was penalized but I still dont agree that he hit him across the neck and if a player with arms the size of these NFL players hits a guy across the top of his shoulder pads and the QB 's head leans forward into it, its always going to look like he took him out at the neck. Either way, at the end of the day, the rules protecting QB's need to go, its assanine at best and is nothing more then the league trying to protect the one position they deem a money maker merchandise and marketing wise while not giving two ****s about the many other positions on the field.

[Steven78]

Kap looks mentally weak and beat down. I really really feel that way which is odd because last year I thought his mental toughness was amazing especially having early adversity in the playoffs vs GB.

[LowerWolf]

The problem I see with Kap is he stormed the league last year and again in Week 1 against Green Bay. And I guess maybe he thought "I got this, it's easy." The problem is, this is the NFL and it's never easy. Defenses adjusted, caught up and have now passed him. Now he's got to adjust back.

It's like a rookie hitter in baseball coming up and tearing the cover off the ball the first few weeks. Then pitchers adjust, and the hitter has to re-adjust.

Longterm, I still think Kap will be fine. Whether he figures it out in time this season is another matter.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Oh and I'm not a fan of that roughing the passer penalty either. Hell, I'm at the point where anytime a QB gets hit, I'm waiting for the flag to come out even if it's not warranted.

As for the league source saying it was the right call, I'm not surprised at that either. IIRC, I believe they said the samething about the Fail Mary last year right after as well but I think that was more of the league showing their support with the Scab Officials before they eventually admitted it was a mistake.

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by ProfessaPackMan

Oh and I'm not a fan of that roughing the passer penalty either. Hell, I'm at the point where anytime a QB gets hit, I'm waiting for the flag to come out even if it's not warranted. As for the league source saying it was the right call, I'm not surprised at that either. IIRC, I believe they said the samething about the Fail Mary last year right after as well but I think that was more of the league showing their support with the Scab Officials before they eventually admitted it was a mistake.

Point is the rule say contact with head or neck. There was contact with the neck yes? Then the rule was applied properly.

Now the rules being out of control is a whole other conversation, which I agree with.

[Steven78]

Also regarding Kap, I think Harbaugh and Roman have set him up for failure. The play calls are beyond maddening about 70% of the time. Getting killed in the pocket? Let's call more 5 and 7 step drops. Lets NEVER run a screen or quick pass to get in a rhythm versus an over pursuing defense. That's a whole other discussion though.

[kehlis]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Chef

My point was Brooks hits him across the shoulder pads, at impact it jerks Brees' head forward shrinking the area between his neck and shoulder pads, that coupled with his head then jerking backwards again makes it look worse then it was. He obvious hit him too high since it was penalized but I still dont agree that he hit him across the neck and if a player with arms the size of these NFL players hits a guy across the top of his shoulder pads and the QB 's head leans forward into it, its always going to look like he took him out at the neck. Either way, at the end of the day, the rules protecting QB's need to go, its assanine at best and is nothing more then the league trying to protect the one position they deem a money maker merchandise and marketing wise while not giving two ****s about the many other positions on the field.

I don't necessarily disagree with you but that's a different argument.

With all the ticky tack calls we see made for roughing, this one was pretty much by the book.

I wouldn't for a second have an argument with you if we say the rules should be changed a bit, but this was pretty much the letter of the rule.

Whether we like it or not, the quarterback is a position protected in the same fashion as a kicker or punter is.