Colts WR Austin Collie was carted off the field after taking two big hits following an incomplete pass during the second quarter against the Eagles. Collie hauled in a pass from Peyton Manning over the middle of the field, and as he braced for a collision, was first hit on one side by the shoulder of Quintin Mikell, and then took a helmet-to-helmet hit from FS Kurt Coleman an instant later. The back of Collie’s helmet hit the field hard, and Collie was knocked unconscious. Team medical personnel removed Collie’s face mask and strapped him to a backboard before he was taken off the field on a stretcher. Manning came over to offer some words, and TV camera angles clearly showed Collie blinking his eyes but because of the precautionary measures involved, it’s difficult to speculate his exact injury or its severity. Source: NFL.com
Firstly, the No. 1 concern here is Austin's health. I hope he's not hurt too badly. Secondly, I think he had both feet down and was running and bent his knees, as Boomer Esiason said, and he wasn't "defenseless." So, as Cowher said, he should not be fined or suspended. Thirdly, and I have no idea why no one is bringing this up, but with two feet down, possession, and running with the football, I believe that's a fumble and not an incomplete pbutt. That is reviewable and I think the challenge flag should have been thrown by Andy Reid.
I agree with everything except that Reid should have challenged it. They way these refs are making calls, there is no way they would have let the team that delivered the hit to take control of it. There is no way they would have admitted they were wrong with the WR being defenseless.
