Sigh.. when do we go back to playing football?

[N&B4PSU]

The game aside (a nice win)... after watching the silly targeting call near the end of the game that was about as awful a joke as i've seen, I keep wondering if we'll ever see a real football game again. To stop the action to review what was essentially a normal football play left a bad taste in my mouth.

Almost as much as the fairy catch on kickoffs. Why don't they change the rules so that if you fair catch a KO you get it at the 15? That might make kids and coaches think twice. Right now, virtually every high school kicker can knock it outta the park, so one of the most exciting game experiences is nearly eliminated (or soon will be) .

To make it more interesting, I'd move the KO back another 10 yards pronto... get some fun back into the game.

Totally aside... watching udub vs meaty and on 4th and 4 dubs hands the ball off deep in its backfield? The QB doesn't read and pull and sprint around the open corner for huge pickup? He hands it off and bids his running back adios...adieu.. au revoir mfer? Wow.

 

[AWS1022]

The game aside (a nice win)... after watching the silly targeting call near the end of the game that was about as awful a joke as i've seen, I keep wondering if we'll ever see a real football game again. To stop the action to review what was essentially a normal football play left a bad taste in my mouth.

Almost as much as the fairy catch on kickoffs. Why don't they change the rules so that if you fair catch a KO you get it at the 15? That might make kids and coaches think twice. Right now, virtually every high school kicker can knock it outta the park, so one of the most exciting game experiences is nearly eliminated (or soon will be) .

To make it more interesting, I'd move the KO back another 10 yards pronto... get some fun back into the game.

Totally aside... watching udub vs meaty and on 4th and 4 dubs hands the ball off deep in its backfield? The QB doesn't read and pull and sprint around the open corner for huge pickup? He hands it off and bids his running back adios...adieu.. au revoir mfer? Wow.

I’m all for player safety, but since we’ve gone from launching and helmet to helmet contact to a helmet hitting a shoulder pad where no one is going to get hurt, I have to agree with you. Let’s just put flags on ‘em.

 

[RCS-PSU70]

I’m all for player safety, but since we’ve gone from launching and helmet to helmet contact to a helmet hitting a shoulder pad where no one is going to get hurt, I have to agree with you. Let’s just put flags on ‘em.

I'm sorry, is it too difficult to learn not to lead with your helmet?

 

[AWS1022]

I'm sorry, is it too difficult to learn not to lead with your helmet?

When you’re going in for a tackle in real time, you can’t always determine where your head is going to end up. Targeting should be about trying to hurt someone, not making a tackle.

 

[BBrown]

The game aside (a nice win)... after watching the silly targeting call near the end of the game that was about as awful a joke as i've seen, I keep wondering if we'll ever see a real football game again. To stop the action to review what was essentially a normal football play left a bad taste in my mouth.

Almost as much as the fairy catch on kickoffs. Why don't they change the rules so that if you fair catch a KO you get it at the 15? That might make kids and coaches think twice. Right now, virtually every high school kicker can knock it outta the park, so one of the most exciting game experiences is nearly eliminated (or soon will be) .

To make it more interesting, I'd move the KO back another 10 yards pronto... get some fun back into the game.

Totally aside... watching udub vs meaty and on 4th and 4 dubs hands the ball off deep in its backfield? The QB doesn't read and pull and sprint around the open corner for huge pickup? He hands it off and bids his running back adios...adieu.. au revoir mfer? Wow.

+100. These "targeting" calls are HORRIBLE, there is just no other way to describe them. And its not just our guys its a freaking mess across the college football landscape. They have really got to change it.

 

[BBrown]

I'm sorry, is it too difficult to learn not to lead with your helmet?

I'm sorry but some of these calls are not that. They just aren't.

 

[N&B4PSU]

+100. These "targeting" calls are HORRIBLE, there is just no other way to describe them. And its not just our guys its a freaking mess across the college football landscape. They have really got to change it.

Like AW says above, I'm all for protecting the players and while I might not agree all the time, I'm ok when it looks like a launch or clear attack to kill. But so many are just a byproduct of playing the game of football and stopping play to figure it out (and too often getting it wrong) is.. not helping.

in my opinion, of course

 

[CDLionFL]

I'm sorry but some of these calls are not that. They just aren't.

The call on Rudolph today was just that. It doesn't have to be a violent helmet-to-helmet hit for it to be targeting. That's just the type of play that gets the most notice. The rule is in place to protect BOTH the tackler and the player getting hit. Rudolph making contact with the crown of his helmet is the type of hit that can cause paralysis. Don't believe me? Ask former Steelers LB Ryan Shazier about that kind of hit.

 

[Texas Lion]

The game aside (a nice win)... after watching the silly targeting call near the end of the game that was about as awful a joke as i've seen, I keep wondering if we'll ever see a real football game again. To stop the action to review what was essentially a normal football play left a bad taste in my mouth.

Almost as much as the fairy catch on kickoffs. Why don't they change the rules so that if you fair catch a KO you get it at the 15? That might make kids and coaches think twice. Right now, virtually every high school kicker can knock it outta the park, so one of the most exciting game experiences is nearly eliminated (or soon will be) .

To make it more interesting, I'd move the KO back another 10 yards pronto... get some fun back into the game.

Totally aside... watching udub vs meaty and on 4th and 4 dubs hands the ball off deep in its backfield? The QB doesn't read and pull and sprint around the open corner for huge pickup? He hands it off and bids his running back adios...adieu.. au revoir mfer? Wow.

You can write what you want and I’m sure 99.99999% is right and just…..don’t duck your head, it really is quite simple.

 

[N&B4PSU]

You can write what you want and I’m sure 99.99999% is right and just…..don’t duck your head, it really is quite simple.

I get your point, but why is it ok for the offensive guy to duck his head and thus gain an advantage?

 

[N&B4PSU]

The call on Rudolph today was just that. It doesn't have to be a violent helmet-to-helmet hit for it to be targeting. That's just the type of play that gets the most notice. The rule is in place to protect BOTH the tackler and the player getting hit. Rudolph making contact with the crown of his helmet is the type of hit that can cause paralysis. Don't believe me? Ask former Steelers LB Ryan Shazier about that kind of hit.

Effectively posting the same comment as below... why is it ok for the offensive player to lower his head and gain an advantage (and he does if the defender can't do the same)? Call it both ways and I'll be better with it. iow, kick both guys out.

 

[Connorpozlee]

Honestly, football is tough to handle anymore. So much time spent on reviews and technicalities that it tests my patience. It’s just not fun to wait for guys to decide if somebody made a legal football play or not.

 

[CDLionFL]

Effectively posting the same comment as below... why is it ok for the offensive player to lower his head and gain an advantage (and he does if the defender can't do the same)? Call it both ways and I'll be better with it. iow, kick both guys out.

That’s a question to ask the powers that be, whoever and wherever they are.

 

[JoeLion]

So….the defender is going low for a tackle around the ankles and the player running the ball decides to go low as well….helmets collide…..targeting and you are off the field until the second half of the next game…
I get the penalty for what appears to be intentional targeting however both players are running and making moves to complete the play…just seems a little to arbitrary to me at times…

 

[Omar81]

If the defender’s helmet is below the level of his own waist, it should NOT be a penalty (let alone penalty plus ejection). As someone stated, he was going in for a knee-high tackle when the RB lowered his own head down to about two feet off the ground. And as for “leading with the head,” some plays are clear spearing attempts while others are simply the fact that the head happens to be at the end of the average human body.

 

[LionsandBear]

The call on Rudolph today was just that. It doesn't have to be a violent helmet-to-helmet hit for it to be targeting. That's just the type of play that gets the most notice. The rule is in place to protect BOTH the tackler and the player getting hit. Rudolph making contact with the crown of his helmet is the type of hit that can cause paralysis. Don't believe me? Ask former Steelers LB Ryan Shazier about that kind of hit.

100%...Rudolph's pathetic attempt at a tackle is exactly why the Targetting Rule is in place. He could have been seriously hurt on that play.

Now, last week with Ellis was a different story. It was a football play that should have never been flagged.

 

[OzLion]

Help me out here -- does anyone else remember a big concern over neck injuries a decade or two ago? I ask because I worry that the method now taught to avoid 'targeting' - tackling with the head up, somewhat perpendicular to the spine - may make a player susceptible to neck injury. Hopefully I am misremembering and am wrong.

 

[AWS1022]

The call on Rudolph today was just that. It doesn't have to be a violent helmet-to-helmet hit for it to be targeting. That's just the type of play that gets the most notice. The rule is in place to protect BOTH the tackler and the player getting hit. Rudolph making contact with the crown of his helmet is the type of hit that can cause paralysis. Don't believe me? Ask former Steelers LB Ryan Shazier about that kind of hit.

Did he get hit in the shoulder pad? Can I ask him that?

 

[BBrown]

The call on Rudolph today was just that. It doesn't have to be a violent helmet-to-helmet hit for it to be targeting. That's just the type of play that gets the most notice. The rule is in place to protect BOTH the tackler and the player getting hit. Rudolph making contact with the crown of his helmet is the type of hit that can cause paralysis. Don't believe me? Ask former Steelers LB Ryan Shazier about that kind of hit.

I would need to see another replay of the Rudolph play. I didn't get a great look at it live and the replay on the score board didn't really help.
But I heard what Jack Ham had to say about both of ours calls and a few others from last week. I will defer to him in these cases.

 

[Nitt1300]

internet tough guys- how many concussions are being prevented by this admittedly imperfect rule?

 

[PSUQBKeeper]

Honestly, football is tough to handle anymore. So much time spent on reviews and technicalities that it tests my patience. It’s just not fun to wait for guys to decide if somebody made a legal football play or not.

catches are the same way, you shouldn't need a microscope and ultra slow motion to determine a catch

grab a 12 year old sandlot player and if they think it's a catch real time then there you go

 

[Connorpozlee]

catches are the same way, you shouldn't need a microscope and ultra slow motion to determine a catch

grab a 12 year old sandlot player and if they think it's a catch real time then there you go

If it has to be reviewed, have 30 seconds max for the review. If it can’t be determined quickly it was close enough to correct for me. Get on with the game.

 

[Omar81]

I would need to see another replay of the Rudolph play. I didn't get a great look at it live and the replay on the score board didn't really help.
But I heard what Jack Ham had to say about both of ours calls and a few others from last week. I will defer to him in these cases.

What did Jack say?

 

[Nittany_93]

internet tough guys- how many concussions are being prevented by this admittedly imperfect rule?

Ask Minnesota

 

[theallamerican]

The game aside (a nice win)... after watching the silly targeting call near the end of the game that was about as awful a joke as i've seen, I keep wondering if we'll ever see a real football game again. To stop the action to review what was essentially a normal football play left a bad taste in my mouth.

Almost as much as the fairy catch on kickoffs. Why don't they change the rules so that if you fair catch a KO you get it at the 15? That might make kids and coaches think twice. Right now, virtually every high school kicker can knock it outta the park, so one of the most exciting game experiences is nearly eliminated (or soon will be) .

To make it more interesting, I'd move the KO back another 10 yards pronto... get some fun back into the game.

Totally aside... watching udub vs meaty and on 4th and 4 dubs hands the ball off deep in its backfield? The QB doesn't read and pull and sprint around the open corner for huge pickup? He hands it off and bids his running back adios...adieu.. au revoir mfer? Wow.

Wrong. The game is in trouble due to head injuries. Plain and simple. Numbers prove across the country with rosters depleted in high schools due to parents concerns over long term effects of injuries to the head. The sport is smart in protecting not only the players involved, but the sport itself. Too bad you don't like seeing carnage. If your son was playing at this level, I think you would have a different read. Mine does.

 

[Texas Lion]

I get your point, but why is it ok for the offensive guy to duck his head and thus gain an advantage?

That is where the question lies IMO.

 

[PAgeologist]

That is where the question lies IMO.

That's my problem with the rules as well. It's always on the defense, even when the runner ducks his head into the defender. Since the offense knows they won't get called, what's to stop them from putting their head out there to get a targeting call.

I wish someone would have knocked McElroy out last night in the Texas Arkansas game. Every tackle was targeting.

 

[PSUQBKeeper]

Wrong. The game is in trouble due to head injuries. Plain and simple. Numbers prove across the country with rosters depleted in high schools due to parents concerns over long term effects of injuries to the head. The sport is smart in protecting not only the players involved, but the sport itself. Too bad you don't like seeing carnage. If your son was playing at this level, I think you would have a different read. Mine does.

then you better eliminate OL hat on hat with DL every play because that is where the majority of head trauma comes from

 

[MaconNitt]

I liken it to hockey and the boarding penalty, some hits are dirty others are just tuff hard plays. throw the flag, 15 yard penalty, but for ejection it should be a higher standard. launching, elbow/forearm to the head type of hits. I don't remember if there was a flag on the original play. Why even review if no flag on the play.

I also like the suggestion of a set time limit for the reviews. If it can't be determined in a certain amount of time, the play stands as called or not called. otherwise replace referines with cameras and robots.

jmo, have at it

 

[N&B4PSU]

All

I liken it to hockey and the boarding penalty, some hits are dirty others are just tuff hard plays. throw the flag, 15 yard penalty, but for ejection it should be a higher standard. launching, elbow/forearm to the head type of hits. I don't remember if there was a flag on the original play. Why even review if no flag on the play.

I also like the suggestion of a set time limit for the reviews. If it can't be determined in a certain amount of time, the play stands as called or not called. otherwise replace referines with cameras and robots.

jmo, have at it

all good stuff imo. Bothers me when there's no flag and then comes a review and poof, the defender (99% of the time, the defender) is toast. If it wasn't bad enough to be noticed in the first place, a review nets maybe a penalty, but not ejection (unless a good unseen kick to the nads is uncovered).