Steelers' Harrison suspended

[daisylu]

Disclaimer : I am a Steelers hater

In a bold and unprecedented move by the NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been suspended for one game. The suspension stems from this helmet-to-helmet hit on Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, as well as James Harrison's long history of illegal hits preceding that one. He's been fined six times over the last two years by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for hits ruled illegal or unnecessary, for a total of $125,000.

Here's a snippet from the league's official statement on the matter:

Harrison was penalized for roughing the passer in last Thursday night's Steelers-Browns game for an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit against a defenseless quarterback, Cleveland's Colt McCoy. In addition to four fines for illegal hits against quarterbacks in 2009 and 2010, Harrison also was fined twice for unnecessary roughness during that period. Harrison totaled six fines in that two-year period.

The 2011 League Policies for Players manual states: "Players who were fined for violations in 2009 or 2010, and whose fines were either partially or fully upheld, will be considered second and/or repeat offenders under this policy."

It's the first time the NFL has issued a suspension for such behavior. Until now, fines had been the only punishment dished out, but even the biggest of fines won't have the same impact as a suspension. Those are the attention-grabbers.

sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/James-Harrison-has-been-suspended-for-one-game?urn=nfl-wp13800

My view on it is that he is an employee. If you consistently break the rules at your place of employment, sooner or later you will be out the door.

[ride]

The game has undergone a sissification just like the counrty has......the athletes may be bigger, stronger and faster now but toughness has gone away and we are left with whiners. It's a violent game, let them hit each other!!!!

[pdr79]

To me, the way Harrison lined up his helmet perfectly to bust McCoy in the helmet was very dirty. He could have pulled up if he wanted to. Harrison is not the only one who does it though; his reputation is what earned that suspension. If it had been someone else, it likely would have been a fine only.

There's always going to be plenty of room for hits, but I do think it's the responsible thing to do to protect players safety and enforce the rules as they are currently written. Look at the old time players who have suffered physically or mentally from the repeated hits to the head.

Disclaimer: Yes, I am a football fan.

[ride]

He could have pulled up if he wanted to.

Three hundred pounds going full speed is not easy to put on the breaks

Look at the old time players who have suffered physically or mentally from the repeated hits to the head.

They choose to play a violent game and get paid well to do so. They know the risks going in.

He could however lift his head when hitting, he tends to lower his head so he can not see where his head is aiming. The dude is a beast and I love his intensity.

[pdr79]

Ride,

I'm probably biased against Harrison based on the guy's history. You're right that it's not easy to put on the brakes on a big dude like that, it just kind of looked like there was more intent to injure than sending a message to a scrambling QB.

[daisylu]

Dec 14, 2011 10:31:52 GMT -5 pdr79 said:

Ride,

I'm probably biased against Harrison based on the guy's history. You're right that it's not easy to put on the brakes on a big dude like that, it just kind of looked like there was more intent to injure than sending a message to a scrambling QB.

I also enjoyed the old days of hit-em-up football, but the reality of the game today has changed. My intent is not to argue that point, but the simple fact is that the rules are what they are. If I ignore the rules of my employer, I will be out the door. He blatantly pushes it, so he deserves the punishment handed down.

[steff]

The Browns have no admitted that they didn't follow protocol in checking McCoy for a concussion after the play. HOW in the hell, after that hit, when he went down in the classic out on his feet way, can they NOT check for a concussion? After seeing the replay (which we the viewing audience saw over and over and over and over) could they not see it was helmet to helmet and then NOT check him out?

the Brown's trainers & coaches eff'ed up.....

[ride]

Looked like intent? pehaps there was perhaps there was not, I can not be the judge of that. Again when going hard at 110% and then trying to back off is tough and can be dangerous. Just a small example, I snowboard probably 130 days per year. If I go out there and not give 110% I take on a huge risk injury, so do football players. If there is a BLATENT effort to hit someone in the head then sure fine the dude but that is aweful hard to prove IMHO.

[jarhead1976]

I have seen Ben get hit just as hard and no flags or fines. Harrison is a great player being penalized by a bunch of 's in suits. He was going for the numbers .

[ride]

He certainly has a target on his back