Head on Head Fines

[HMFFL]

The NFL has fined but not suspended three players for dangerous hits in Sunday's games.

The league announced Tuesday that the Pittsburgh Steelers' James Harrison was docked $75,000, while the New England Patriots' Brandon Meriweather and the Atlanta Falcons' Dunta Robinson will lose $50,000 each.

Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson was injured in a nasty head-on collision with Robinson.

Jackson had soreness in his neck and shoulders a day after the blast, but was otherwise in good spirits and receiving treatment Monday in the training room.

Jackson can't remember the vicious collision that left him with a concussion. Robinson also sustained a concussion on the play . Robinson was flagged for hitting a defenseless receiver. Both players stayed on the turf for several minutes before being helped from the field.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league wanted to give players fair warning before it begins suspensions for flagrant hits. He says a memo will go out to teams Wednesday about the changes in disciplinary action.

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson said earlier Tuesday that players could be suspended for hits that occurred in last weekend's games. http://www.wsbtv.com/news/25445557/detail.html

[sunshinekids99]

I'm surprised that Meriweather was not suspended for 1 game, that hit was just dirty. I'm surprised Dunta was fined so much.

[Icness]

I'm surprised that Meriweather was not suspended for 1 game, that hit was just dirty. I'm surprised Dunta was fined so much.

I agree. Robinson made a bang-bang play with no apparent intent. Meriweather should be out a game, so should Harrison. I have no problem with Harrison's hit on Cribbs, but the Massaquoi hit was the very definition of "malicious and egregious intent".

I'm surprised Kevin Burnett of the Chargers didn't get hit for his hit on Bradford too.

And then there's this...
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... legal-hit/

[LAKESHOW]

surprised to see harrison on NBC football tonite become such a critic, when he himself would attempt to literally kill guys when he was playing.

[Jaruff]

I'm probably old-fashioned on this but I don't see the issue. If a guy does a dirty hit, punish that guy with an equally or worse dirty hit. Is $75k going to deter someone from giving out a dirty hit? Unless he's making league minimum, no. Is a one-game suspension going to deter someone? If they've been doing it their entire career, no. Will shattering that guy's leg in retaliation finally convince him that he shouldn't do dirty hits? Likely.

Fines are useless to most of these guys and a suspension is the best that you can do. One game for the first offense, two for the second, four for the third, and six for the fifth. Anything after that should receive an automatic 10 game or possibly a year-long suspension. Brain damage is a serious issue that needs to be addressed; multiple players with brains comparable to senior citizens killing themselves is a sign of that.

IMO, the Browns should have went out on the next play and broke Harrison's leg, knee, or at the very least punch him in a certain area. Punish the man for hurting your teammate and he'll think twice about hurting another.

[High 5]

I don't even think Robinson should have been flagged. It's his job to dislodged the ball from the receiver without going after his head and he did just that. It's unfortunate that both were hurt, but most injuries happen on clean plays.

[Ong_dynasty]

^
Im an eagles fan and I agree.it was not dirty at all..

[Pharmcat]

the art of tackling has been lost


hitting hard for ratings has taken over

[xAIRNESSx]

Harrison's potentially considering retirement now. Look what you've all done. I hope you're all happy.

[aggo]

And then there's this...
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... legal-hit/

I mean, all you gotta do is watch tonight and the leadin to MNF when tirico, jaworski and gruden has two helmets running into each other and exploding onto your screen.

[Icness]

And then there's this...
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... legal-hit/

I mean, all you gotta do is watch tonight and the leadin to MNF when tirico, jaworski and gruden has two helmets running into each other and exploding onto your screen.

I never made that connection. I just might shamelessly steal that...

[Ong_dynasty]

I thought I'd bring this up again since it is a hot topic.

Here are the guidelines by the NFL.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5785929

As a fan, I understand player safety.
I was all for horsecollar tackles and so forth.
But watching the Eagles v Colts game made me sick (the end made me a feel a little better) .

Calls on Coleman and Trent Cole highlight how much the league can influence the outcome of the game.

That's why I did not like this quote from the link
• Game officials unsure of whether to throw a flag on a particular play, the guide reads, "should lean toward player safety and call the foul."

Now I understand why they say that, but are we just going to keep on seeing flags for every hit? are some players going to do a Mike Jenkins / Cromartie (just had to put that in ) and pull out of hits.

I think the only thing that should be fine if a player is in the air and the defensive player actually launches with his helmet. Helmets are going to crash no matter how many people will try to stop, it is a collision sport.