UPDATE: Ed Reed's suspension lifted

[Dwinsgames]

did not see that coming ....

I suspected a fine but this really gives the Chargers a chance to off the Ravens in San Diego

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...-game-for-hits

[Count Steeler]

Wow. That is a bit much. Oh well, such is the state of affairs in the new NFL.

[polamalubeast]

WOW

[Carolina Steelers]

I didnt see that coming either maybe a fine but suspended, Wow

[Craic]

Maybe this will alleviate the belief that the league "has it in" for the Steelers.

[fansince'76]

"We cannot tolerate repeated violations of rules, especially rules related to player safety," said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson.

As Big Snack gets his knees cut out from under him on yet another "legal" cut block. Oh, that's right, Hampton is a defensive player, my bad.

[Count Steeler]

Maybe this will alleviate the belief that the league "has it in" for the Steelers.

That's a good one Preach!

[Boh]

Bang bang play imo. Both players lowered their heads for impact, natural reaction. Surprised this much action was taken.

[Dwinsgames]

That's a good one Preach!

or maybe the Ravens let the league know Reeds injury was going to prevent him from playing next week and they seen it as a perfect chance to try and put of some of the fire .....

just kidding or am I ?

[86WARD]

Can't put it off until Week 13? Maybe he'll file a protest and play Week 12...lol.

[fansince'76]

Bang bang play imo. Both players lowered their heads for impact, natural reaction. Surprised this much action was taken.


http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...-game-for-hits

Bang-bang unavoidable hits make up 90%+ of the BS fines and suspensions defensive players are getting nailed with nowadays, so I'm not surprised in the least. The powers-that-be in the NFL want 43-37-type games every game.

[Boh]

If you take a look at replay, both players put their heads down at the same exact time. This sucks, i guess we get a taste of what you guys deal with, with goodell

[Craic]

Bang-bang unavoidable hits make up 90%+ of the BS fines and suspensions defensive players are getting nailed with nowadays, so I'm not surprised in the least. The powers-that-be in the NFL want 43-37-type games every game.

Actually, I think at least in this case, the league just wants the DB's to not come flying in head first. They'd rather have the head on the football, or anywhere else, then level with another guys helmet. It's why Clark and the others have learned to hit by not lowering their head - and as a result, our defense has gotten much better (very few if any broken tackles, for instance).

I agree that the league doesn't want a lot of defense. It's the common move in Hockey, Basketball, and now football, but I don't think this situation is a direct result of that. Instead, it's meant to protect players that have not returned their focus to their immediate surroundings due to throwing/catching/punting the ball. Moreover, it's only headshots that are being called. If what you're saying is true, then headshots, helmets in the ribs, etc. etc. would all be called.

As for defensive players not being protected - that's a different issue, and one I'd probably agree with you on, at least ninety, ninety-five percent if not more.

[touchdownward]

Yes it was a penalty on the field and was called such, but suspension is going too far. Hell, a fine would have been too much.

[X-Terminator]

Just saw the hit...and yep, complete horseshit. That didn't come close to deserving a suspension and barely deserving of a fine even by today's pussy standards. Don't like the Ravens at all, but I'm on their side on this one.

[steeldawg]

I dont what he did that justify a suspension?

[salamander]

There's no need for a suspension...

[Count Steeler]

Just reading this thread and just wondering if the Rat's fans would be so magnanimous if it was Polamalu that got suspended.

[Chidi29]

I don't think it was from that hit alone. I think it's a repeat offender decision.

And for the record, as I've said before, Goodell does not make fine/suspension decisions. PFT reports the decision came from Merton Hanks...a former DB.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-hits-to-head/

[steelreserve]

"SUSPENDED" ought to be in all caps in the title. I can hardly believe it. It was such a chickenshit penalty in the first place that I almost felt embarrassed to get the yardage for it.

[Psycho Ward 86]

it looks like some of you are happy because this gives the chargers a better chance of beating the ravens but i dont like it. This could hurt us because the chargers believe it or not, are still in playoff contention, and right now it looks like the colts are pretty much going to get one of the spots. That 6th spot could very well be stolen from us if the chargers happen to beat the ravens and us. Doesnt seem likely but just throwing that out there. The only reason i would like this news is if Ben were still playing and we still had a decent shot at the division crown. But in this situation, not good for us.

[Boh]

Just reading this thread and just wondering if the Rat's fans would be so magnanimous if it was Polamalu that got suspended.

a bad decision is a bad decision, no matter what team its against. we aren't mindless hating people like you may portray us.

[SteelerFanInStl]

He was suspended because of repeat violations. Funny how they're not even counting the second helmet to helmet hit that he had in the New England game this year. That's actually his 3rd one this season.

I hate the rule as much as anyone but if nothing else it will teach these DBs to not come flying in head first. Maybe it will help them extend their careers a little longer. We all see what these hits have done to Clark.

I also think it's funny how much the Ravens fans are crying about this and yet they all laughed when the Steelers were getting all of the fines. I guess now we're the team that "gets it".

[SteelMayhem72]

watching the game last night...the Ravens are not going anywhere this year...we showed how anemic their offense is and if we had Ben in there ditto for their Defense!!

- - - Updated - - -

a bad decision is a bad decision, no matter what team its against. we aren't mindless hating people like you may portray us.

Been reading some of your earlier posts...Im happy to say that you are not the typical Ravens fan!!

[tube517]

Don't like the Raisins but this is a horseshit suspension. Booooooooooo!

[Devilsdancefloor]

WOW i honestly do not know what a defensive guy is suppose to do now manny lowered his head. the game i love is dying a slow death

[X-Terminator]

I don't think it was from that hit alone. I think it's a repeat offender decision.

And for the record, as I've said before, Goodell does not make fine/suspension decisions. PFT reports the decision came from Merton Hanks...a former DB.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-hits-to-head/

It still didn't deserve a suspension, no matter who made the call. It was bullshit, and I hope Reed is appealing it.

[Chidi29]

It still didn't deserve a suspension, no matter who made the call. It was bullshit, and I hope Reed is appealing it.

That hit alone was not the reason. It was repeated illegal hits.

[X-Terminator]

That hit alone was not the reason. It was repeated illegal hits.

And I said before that it wasn't even worthy of a fine, much less a suspension. It's exactly the kind of scenario that I have been criticizing from day one. What the hell are defenders supposed to do when the WR also lowers his head? Bang-bang plays like that should be seen for what they are, but to this group of pansy-asses, it's a reason to suspend someone. Fuck that shit. You can go on defending these guys, but at some point, even you are going to start questioning their decisions.

[Chidi29]

And I said before that it wasn't even worthy of a fine, much less a suspension. It's exactly the kind of scenario that I have been criticizing from day one. What the hell are defenders supposed to do when the WR also lowers his head? Bang-bang plays like that should be seen for what they are, but to this group of pansy-asses, it's a reason to suspend someone. Fuck that shit. You can go on defending these guys, but at some point, even you are going to start questioning their decisions.

In the majority of cases, I don't defend anything that produces serious head injuries. I'm all for taking the needed steps for the league to do whatever it takes to cut down (granted, never eliminating) concussions, head injuries, and brain trauma.