Replays on hits to the head?

[Texanator]

Is it time the NFL has a replay system set up for shots to the head calls?
I hate to drag the game out any farther, but we seem to get a ton of these calls and replay seems to almost always show them to be in error.
The Wes Welker hit is a perfect example.
Call me paranoid or a conspiracy theorist, but I'm sick of the BS calls the Texans get all the time and if they are going to enforce penalties for head shots, they need to be sure it happened in the first place.

 

[Showtime100]

Is it time the NFL has a replay system set up for shots to the head calls?
I hate to drag the game out any farther, but we seem to get a ton of these calls and replay seems to almost always show them to be in error.
The Wes Welker hit is a perfect example.
Call me paranoid or a conspiracy theorist, but I'm sick of the BS calls the Texans get all the time and if they are going to enforce penalties for head shots, they need to be sure it happened in the first place.

I'd be for that. Considering the game-changing nature of the sentencing phase of the crime, both in terms of yardage and automatic 1st downs, and the inevitable fine/suspension after the fact I think it would be a good thing.

Speaking of automatic 1st downs, they need to go away.

I don't know if you listen to much sportstalk radio, but the eastern press is predictably trashing Swearinger for the hit. Ridiculous.

 

[Playoffs]

... the eastern press is predictably trashing Swearinger for the hit. Ridiculous.

Except for this Patriots beat writer...

Curran: Manning has to share blame for Welker concussion

Is it time the NFL has a replay system set up for shots to the head calls?...

No for me.

It's not about intent. If it's a headshot it's a penalty.

 

[Showtime100]

Except for this Patriots beat writer...

Curran: Manning has to share blame for Welker concussion



No for me.

It's not about intent. If it's a headshot it's a penalty.

Cool article. Thanks. As for "intent" you make a very good point. I, for one, wish they would revisit the rule and make it all about intent or no intent.

This is football, heads are going to get hit. (see all the zero's in weekly NFL paychecks).

 

[PapaL]

I have no problems w the refs throwing that flag, the league should review it. I also believe league HQ should be the one reviewing on field calls to ensure accuracy, not the crews that just made the call.

Swearinger's intent was not a head shot, Welker balling up moved the target at the last minute. If intent is to be called, and not actual hit area, then Swearinger would not have been flagged.

My 2 cents...

 

[Kgbmedic]

I don't think the defensive player should be penalized if the running puts his head down into the strike area. The man clearly went in with his shoulder and he was going lower than where welkers head was coming into the contact.

Welker brings his head down at the last minute, then gets hit there, that shouldn't be on the defensive guy. Offensive guy needs to take his lick and move on or else put his head off to the side if he wants to curl into a ball before the hit.

 

[pappy]

I don't think the defensive player should be penalized if the running puts his head down into the strike area. The man clearly went in with his shoulder and he was going lower than where welkers head was coming into the contact.

Welker brings his head down at the last minute, then gets hit there, that shouldn't be on the defensive guy. Offensive guy needs to take his lick and move on or else put his head off to the side if he wants to curl into a ball before the hit.

It is not a concern of whether it is a foul or not by the rules set out by the NFL it is . But it is here that I have an issue , the NFL is all in on protecting players from head shots , right ? If a defensive player leads with his helmet it is a penalty , but if an offensive player does the same it is not ? Truth is Welker was not ducking he was spearing with his helmet in an effort to force his tackler to avoid him .

 

[infantrycak]

It is not a concern of whether it is a foul or not by the rules set out by the NFL it is . But it is here that I have an issue , the NFL is all in on protecting players from head shots , right ? If a defensive player leads with his helmet it is a penalty , but if an offensive player does the same it is not ? Truth is Welker was not ducking he was spearing with his helmet in an effort to force his tackler to avoid him .

Offensive players can get flagged too.

 

[steelbtexan]

Offensive players can get flagged too.

But they rarely get flagged and I've never seen a WR get flagged. Since the concussion lawsuit has been resolved, I don't understand why they cant get the players to sign a waiver regarding concussion issues and get back to playing real football. Instead of the AFL version that God'ell is turning NFL football into.

Under the current rules I'm all for replaying hits to the head. This will make it harder for the God'ell to rig games. (See the tuck rule)

 

[BullNation4Life]

Offensive players can get flagged too.

yeah didn't they put that in last year about backs lowering their shoulders and using their helmets to truck defenders?

I do not remember it ever being enforced cause I saw backs plowing over DBs coming through the line...

 

[kingtexan]

If the player ducks and creates the hit to the head it shouldn't be a penalty. I wouldn't mind extra time spent on replay if they could get it right. In many cases I think they could, and should judge based on intent.

 

[infantrycak]

yeah didn't they put that in last year about backs lowering their shoulders and using their helmets to truck defenders?

I do not remember it ever being enforced cause I saw backs plowing over DBs coming through the line...

I saw it called a few (5-6) times last year around the league. And during an early game there was some discussion whether Foster should have been called for one.