Falcons CB Dunta Robinson May Face Serious Disciplinary Action

You don't have to connect too many dots to figure out that Atlanta cornerback Dunta Robinson might be facing serious disciplinary action for Sunday's hit on Philadelphia receiver DeSean Jackson. A suspension could be a possibility, if you listen to what the NFL is saying. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports NFL vice president of football operations Ray Anderson said the league no longer will give first-time offenders a free pass for "devastating hits'' and "head shots." In general, the league usually has issued fines for such hits in the past, but Anderson said the league may begin issuing suspensions for such hits. In the past, Robinson might have gotten off with just the penalty or a small fine, but it sure looks like Robinson's hit might have come at the wrong time and Robinson might be used as an example and that could mean a suspension.

Source: ESPN

 

um, why? out of all of the questionable hits on sunday, his was one of the least intentional. if they suspend dunta for 1 game, then they need suspend harrison and merriweather for 4 games.

and, see, this is the problem with this. are they going to just hand out suspensions based on whether the hit actually injures someone? i've seen some intentional illegal hits that both players get up and walk away and then i've seen clean hits where both players get injured. which one should be punishable?

 

It's about technique more then intent. This was the most bang bang of them all but also one of the worst techniques. Dunta just reacted in the second he realized the pass was there. The problem was his reaction was to launch his body helmet first at D Jax's upper body.

I think all hits on the field that are deemed by the refs to be leading with the helmet should draw the flag, Then the league should review them all and if they are deemed illegal but unintentional they should get fined. If they are deemed illegal and appear intentional then they should be suspended. It's never gonna be a perfect system but if they want to cut down on head injuries/concussions then it's the way to go IMO.

 

I agree, Capt. They are already starting this wrong.

 

Rep for Stubing. How serious the injury is should not have any bearing on the penalty. It's the level of intent that should determine the punishment.

 

It doesn't have anything to do with the result. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the intent. It has everything to do with the mechanics.

 

you and i are in agreement that it SHOULD be about the mechanics but too often guys are using the wrong mechanics and no one is saying crap about it as long as no one is getting hurt. it only comes up when guys start getting hurt, which is not how it should be. i saw video of meriweather launching at Heap earlier in their game but he missed and no one said crap about it because no one got hurt. he did the same exact thing later and unfortunately connected.

 

That's not what the league is saying it will be.

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He did launch himself with his helmet first. I don't think he did it to hurt him or take him out of the game so much as a reaction to the rapid play but he still drove forward with his helmet leading the way up through Desean and into the air.

 

let's hope the league sticks by it.

 

lol...

 

Why is that funny?

 

yep, it could be an issue. ball carriers are taught to get low and become a small target and you see so many of them with their heads down. in that position, they aren't going to inflict any damage on a would-be tackler unless they hit him in the nuts, but they are definitely in a vulnerable position. Typically, though, if a defender makes a legal tackle, it isn't an issue.

 

If the leagues goal is to protect brains and spines then it shouldn't matter the players/position/play involved. If the hit results in you launching your helmet into another players helmet then it should be flagged. End of story. Much like fines are done subjectively in review after the fact the same should hold true for suspensions.


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Dunta twitted that he plans to appeal.
GL with that

 

For about the 10th time....he is being punished because of the mechanics of the hit. He drives forward helmet first into a defenseless receiver.