In an interview with James Brown of CBS Sports that aired Sunday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked about Steelers’ linebacker James Harrison, who was suspended one game for his helmet-to-facemask hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy Dec. 8 at Pittsburgh. Harrison has been repeatedly fined by the league, but the McCoy play was his first incident in 2011. “James Harrison is a great football player, but our rules apply to all 2,000 players and all 32 teams,†Goodell said. “I think he has the ability to adapt to the game. … We’ve always had changes in our rules. We’ve identified techniques that need to be removed from the game because we think they are unsafe for player safety. That has been changed and players have adapted.†Asked if he’s convinced a player can change his style, Goodell said, “Individuals are going to have to adapt as they can. Some may not be able to adapt. … We’re not going to adapt those rules to individuals.†Source: Akron Beacon Journal
well, i think that's how many people are beginning to feel. the rules have been in place for a while now. most of us were pretty forgiving early on as players needed time to get used to the new rules but at this point, if a player is continuing to break the rules, it's being done on purpose and i think many people are getting sick of some of the guys wanting to play by their own rules.
I wouldn't say being done "on purpose," but I would say that they are just flat out ignoring them...at the same time, similar hits are going un-penalized and un-fined every week. There was a wicked spear on Brown last night, helmet straight to the gut, no arms in sight and there was no flag.
The guts one thing the head area is another. “I think he has the ability to adapt to the game" Roy Williams couldn't after the horse collar tackle was made illegal.
It took almost a whole season until he had incident right? I'm pretty sure that's what article said. At what point does this become collateral damage? At what point does somebody point out that a lot of these "helmet to helmet" hits are a result of offensive players lowering their head when a defender is already in the motion of making a tackle? If this was his first issue this year I think he's shown he's trying to adapt but sometimes crap happens. Now as for Roger Goodell, I think he can die slow and burn in hell.
It happens quite a bit actually. I've noticed it too. They are usually in the act of trying to duck under the defender.
not doubting what you guys are saying i just havent seen it. (again beyond vick) all i see are qb's getting sacked and defenders coming in too high but if this is the case then the nfl and king goodell needs to take that into account if those hits are being flagged and fined.
I find it funny that he laughed at his suspension and his excuse time after time is that's the way I play, well then you need to change the way you play.
yes, dawk, i'm seeing it quite a bit this year also and, in fact, i would go as far to say that in my opinion, QB's seem more courageous/brave this season than i have EVER seen them .......... sliding head first .......... taking on tacklers ........ etc. these qb's know that defenders are being more cautious around them and they're taking advantage............... which brings up the debate we've been having for quite a while, "at what point does the offensive player get reprimanded for lowering his head/bulldozing crown first ?" i don't think that debate really applies with this particular harrison hit, but i think there have been some of these cases where the offensive player contributed to the problem.
did anyone hear harrison on mike and mike this morning? he has had a very clean year compared to his usual years and he says he has purposely changed his style to hit guys lower this year ............ hmmm, what a novel idea.
And he's not close to the player he was...this combined with injury has made him relatively ordinary.
maybe if goodell pulled his head out of his ass,he may see things a lot better! I Have'nt seen him on tv since the ex commish snitch slapped him over the saints mess a few weeks ago!
