Rudolph Wanted to Walk Out

[JnK]

They threw a flag......late.

My bad then. I didn't see a flag nor did I hear the official announce the penalty. I'll have to go back and watch the tape again this evening.

[Fire Goodell]

kid is tough no doubt

[Shoes]

If it was Brady the flag would have been thrown before he was hit and Thomas would have been ejected had his fine delivered by FedEx this morning.

[tube517]

If it was Brady the flag would have been thrown before he was hit and Thomas would have been suspended for life.

Fixed

[ALLD]

The play should have resulted in an ejaction. Another thing about the players crying, no wonder they don't know how to win games. Maybe the Steelers could win against a girl's softball team?

[Fire Goodell]

Ejaction

[Mojouw]

If we want to bang the table for Thomas being suspended then Dupree should've been suspended for the hit he put on Wilson a few weeks back.

[tube517]

If we want to bang the table for Thomas being suspended then Dupree should've been suspended for the hit he put on Wilson a few weeks back.

I'd be fine w/that.

[Mojouw]

I'd be fine w/that.

Ok. I just want to make sure that if we are all going to start calling for suspensions for hits to the head, it has to go all ways.

If I was running the league, I would suspend Dupree and not suspend Thomas. I think the Thomas hit is one of those horrible things that happens in fast, violent game and I think Dupree's hit was a player who could've pulled up but chose not to.

Again, just one guy's opinion.

[steelreserve]

In general, I do not think anyone should be suspended, ejected, or even penalized at all for hits to the head unless they are deliberate cheap shots. People bonk heads in football all the time, it's just what happens.

After looking at the play again, I do not think Thomas was deliberately trying to knock him out, it was just unfortunate.

I would probably be fine with a rule that said, instead of penalties and suspensions, if you injure someone with a hit to the head, accidental or not, you are out of that game until the opposing player is cleared to come back in the game. Which in this case would have been basically the same as an ejection, but not always. If you are interested in the concept of "fairness," anyway, that seems like a reasonable way to do it.

[tube517]

Ok. I just want to make sure that if we are all going to start calling for suspensions for hits to the head, it has to go all ways.

If I was running the league, I would suspend Dupree and not suspend Thomas. I think the Thomas hit is one of those horrible things that happens in fast, violent game and I think Dupree's hit was a player who could've pulled up but chose not to.

Again, just one guy's opinion.

Dupree got away w/that one. That was a no brainer that *surprise* the ref missed.

[EzraTank]

I feel like he's going to be a solid QB as he develops. He's got all the tangibles and he's got the attitude and he's got the following. JuJu was visibly upset when Rudolph was down.

Who knows after that hit he may be as "smart" as Ben now!

I'm just glad he got up.

[Fire Goodell]

Who knows after that hit he may be as "smart" as Ben now!

I'm just glad he got up.

This is kinda where you miss that toughness of Roethlisberger. Rudolph is a tough kid no doubt, but Ben is survive motorcycle crashes without a helmet tough. After that hit he woulda just came back in and won the game

[SteelMember]

If I was running the league, I would suspend Dupree and not suspend Thomas. I think the Thomas hit is one of those horrible things that happens in fast, violent game and I think Dupree's hit was a player who could've pulled up but chose not to.

Let's not split hairs... speculating intent is already rampant. The hits should have been called the same. Should just leave it at that.

Both left their feet "launched"... Both led with the crown of the helmet... Both were hits to the head/neck area.

I prefer the college method of calling the foul 1st, then let the review check the boxes above or not for the possible ejection.

...and if the fine schedules were anything consistent, Thomas should get at least the same $21K bill Dupree did.

[Shoes]

Fine him also. Let's get this stuff consistent.
Did Dupree make a tackle?

[Buckinnuts]

Just fine coming no suspension from what i read..bunch of b.s..suspend them for the hits eventuaully they might get it

[pczach]

The play should have resulted in an ejaction. Another thing about the players crying, no wonder they don't know how to win games. Maybe the Steelers could win against a girl's softball team?

That is an incredibly ridiculous thing to say.

If your friend was laying on the ground in front of you and you believed there was a chance something horrific had just happened to him, you wouldn't react to that? I wouldn't want anyone on my team that wasn't concerned and shaken by that.

Sociopathic behavior isn't a positive trait on or off the field.

[43Hitman]

In general, I do not think anyone should be suspended, ejected, or even penalized at all for hits to the head unless they are deliberate cheap shots. People bonk heads in football all the time, it's just what happens.

After looking at the play again, I do not think Thomas was deliberately trying to knock him out, it was just unfortunate.

I would probably be fine with a rule that said, instead of penalties and suspensions, if you injure someone with a hit to the head, accidental or not, you are out of that game until the opposing player is cleared to come back in the game. Which in this case would have been basically the same as an ejection, but not always. If you are interested in the concept of "fairness," anyway, that seems like a reasonable way to do it.

This makes way to much sense for it ever to be considered. Unfortunately.

[GoSlash27]

I'm with the others who didn't have a problem with this hit. I have a bigger problem with the roughing call against Ola Adeniyi late in the 4th.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

First of all. Rudolph didnt likely know what state he was in, so shouldnt be allowed the judgement to decide he wanted to walk out.

As for the hit, Thomas is coming head on and leads with helmet and 2 crossed forearms. He wasnt going for a tackle, nor blocking the pass, he launched himself at an area above the "strike zone", contrary to his belief/statement. Should carry a fine and potentially should have been ejected or suspended 1 game. His only saving grace might be that I think his head was up and not looking down, so maybe the league judgement is no crown hit.

With regards to Dupree hitting Wilson...that was a side shot, with his arms out as if he was trying to wrap up, but his target area was again too high and his helmet hit the QB head. Dupree ran thru the hit, he didn't launch himself at the QB. I dont see it as malicious as the Thomas hit, where he left his feet, at probably 5'11" to launch himself (forearms crossed) at the head of a 6'5" QB. The hit on Rudolph was much more malicious and could/should carry a stronger penalty. IMO.

[86WARD]

No surprise it was not flagged immediately. The refs missed so many calls yesterday that went against both teams it deservedly got its own thread on the forum here.

With regard to the flag on the Thomas hit being a reaction to Rudolph appearing to have been killed, Fouts made a good point after Rudolph threw what was a clearly an incomplete pass that the Ravens ran back for what initially appeared to be a bogus TD. Fouts said the whistle apparently had not blown because the refs have screwed up other plays when it was a live ball but the play had been whistled dead.

The refs are looking over their collective shoulders at what Al Riveron and friends in New York will do to second guess them to the extent it is impacting how the games are being called.

Which is nonsense and slowing everything down.

[GoSlash27]

EGJ,
I'm not talking about that one. Perhaps I'm mis- remembering the specific incident. I'm talking about where he wrapped him up around the legs and brought him down, only to be flagged for an illegal hit below the waist.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

EGJ,
I'm not talking about that one. Perhaps I'm mis- remembering the specific incident. I'm talking about where he wrapped him up around the legs and brought him down, only to be flagged for an illegal hit below the waist.

Wasn't for that horrible call the Steelers most likely win and the game doesn't go into OT. Seen to many games this year where the refs call a bogus ruffing the passer call late in games, giving teams a chance to comeback and win.

[Mojouw]

First of all. Rudolph didnt likely know what state he was in, so shouldnt be allowed the judgement to decide he wanted to walk out.

As for the hit, Thomas is coming head on and leads with helmet and 2 crossed forearms. He wasnt going for a tackle, nor blocking the pass, he launched himself at an area above the "strike zone", contrary to his belief/statement. Should carry a fine and potentially should have been ejected or suspended 1 game. His only saving grace might be that I think his head was up and not looking down, so maybe the league judgement is no crown hit.

With regards to Dupree hitting Wilson...that was a side shot, with his arms out as if he was trying to wrap up, but his target area was again too high and his helmet hit the QB head. Dupree ran thru the hit, he didn't launch himself at the QB. I dont see it as malicious as the Thomas hit, where he left his feet, at probably 5'11" to launch himself (forearms crossed) at the head of a 6'5" QB. The hit on Rudolph was much more malicious and could/should carry a stronger penalty. IMO.

That’s a really detailed breakdown. Based on that it seems I need to watch both hits more carefully and revise my opinion.

Thanks for weighing in.

[Born2Steel]

First of all. Rudolph didnt likely know what state he was in, so shouldnt be allowed the judgement to decide he wanted to walk out.

As for the hit, Thomas is coming head on and leads with helmet and 2 crossed forearms. He wasnt going for a tackle, nor blocking the pass, he launched himself at an area above the "strike zone", contrary to his belief/statement. Should carry a fine and potentially should have been ejected or suspended 1 game. His only saving grace might be that I think his head was up and not looking down, so maybe the league judgement is no crown hit.

With regards to Dupree hitting Wilson...that was a side shot, with his arms out as if he was trying to wrap up, but his target area was again too high and his helmet hit the QB head. Dupree ran thru the hit, he didn't launch himself at the QB. I dont see it as malicious as the Thomas hit, where he left his feet, at probably 5'11" to launch himself (forearms crossed) at the head of a 6'5" QB. The hit on Rudolph was much more malicious and could/should carry a stronger penalty. IMO.

The rules are there for exactly this reason. It shouldn't matter what area Thomas "meant" to hit. The hit was a helmet to chin with him launching(both feet off the ground). That is textbook what the rules are there to prevent. I do not know Thomas' history with the league so I don't know about any suspension but there needs to be a hefty fine for that hit on Rudolph. Malicious intent or not Dupree should be fined for his hit on Wilson also.(Maybe he was I don't keep up) It's not about the intent.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

EGJ,
I'm not talking about that one. Perhaps I'm mis- remembering the specific incident. I'm talking about where he wrapped him up around the legs and brought him down, only to be flagged for an illegal hit below the waist.

I know, the Adeni hit was totally legal. Refs sucked on that and other calls both ways.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

The rules are there for exactly this reason. It shouldn't matter what area Thomas "meant" to hit. The hit was a helmet to chin with him launching(both feet off the ground). That is textbook what the rules are there to prevent. I do not know Thomas' history with the league so I don't know about any suspension but there needs to be a hefty fine for that hit on Rudolph. Malicious intent or not Dupree should be fined for his hit on Wilson also.(Maybe he was I don't keep up) It's not about the intent.

The reality is, that intent does matter, especially when it comes to fines and suspensions.

If Minkah Fitzpatrick tries to break up a pass across the middle and in the process of trying to make a play, he inadvertently hits the WR in the helmet with his shoulder, its a penalty. The league likely doesn't fine him heavily, if at all. Similarly, when Vontaze Burfict went across the middle and hit AB in the head with his shoulder, while not making a play on the football or attempt to tackle, he was punished heavily. Same result of shoulder to head of a WR, but one with visible malice and intent.

BTW, Dupree was fined for the Wilson hit. I recall reading it somewhere.

[86WARD]

The play should have resulted in an ejaction. Another thing about the players crying, no wonder they don't know how to win games. Maybe the Steelers could win against a girl's softball team?

I’d be willing to bet that no NFL team could beat a girls Softball team...I’d also be willing to bet that out of 32 teams, 16 or more would get no hit...lol.

[Born2Steel]

Did anyone notice if that was Ryan Shazier helping Rudolph walk off?

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Did anyone notice if that was Ryan Shazier helping Rudolph walk off?

I thought it was too big linemen. Could have been Fred Johnson and Okorafor.

Is Shazier back sturdy enough to help support a 230 lb guy like Rudolph? I thought he still kind of walks with a limp.