Marvin Lewis just questioned the officiating

[slag]

as his response to a question about the end of the game.

No criticism of the knuckleheads ... implication that the officiating was not even.

EDITED TO ADD: Although he has a point about that hit to the head earlier.

[Pete]

While a hit to the head is not cool

as his response to a question about the end of the game.

No criticism of the knuckleheads ... implication that the officiating was not even.

EDITED TO ADD: Although he has a point about that hit to the head earlier.

Bernard was a runner and helmet-to-helmet is legal in that instance.

[slag]

You cannot lead with the crown of the helmet ... period.

And that's exactly what happened there.

[Eagle In Ohio]

Exactly

You cannot lead with the crown of the helmet ... period.

And that's exactly what happened there.

If they're truly serious about player safety, the NFL will change that rule, pronto. Helmet to helmet is helmet to helmet, no matter if the ball carrier is making a "football move" or not.

[art vandelay]

yep. and mike carey saying that he couldn't be a defenseless receiver after he became a runner...what? that dude is worse at his job than phil simms.

[AnnapolisEagle]

You cannot lead with the crown of the helmet ... period.

And that's exactly what happened there.

This is what they should call, and they should call it every single time a player does it. No matter the situation.

The helmet-to-helmet contact rule is bogus to me because it can penalize a defensive player for an action outside his control. A defender doesn't have to be head-hunting to get called for a penalty if, say, the receiver ducks into the hit. It can also result in a bad penalty on a guy who raises his arms to block a pass and hits the quarterback.

But they can absolutely throw a flag if your eyes aren't on what you're trying to hit. That's 100% on the defensive player.

-AE

[slag]

Would make it simpler and eliminate (as you say unfair penalties).

I believe the same applies (although not as connected to player safety) to pass coverage ... they should get rid of that five yard contact box and go back to only holding and interfering contact when the ball is in the air a penalty IMO.