Riq Woolen Maturing and Improving Focus?

[Trackhawk]

Whether or not it should be a penalty, the fact of the matter is, that it IS a penalty. Riq has been called for it before, and he knows he can't do that, and he has to know that refs are specifically watching him, due to his history.

The encouraging part of it was that he stopped himself, almost immediately. Not quick enough to avoid the flag, but hopefully it's a sign that he is processing this stuff a bit faster, and learning.

 

[Pandion Haliaetus]

There is NO REASON to taunt there.

Nah, I yelled two times during this game.

One was Woolen’s tackle mostly at the ref, something like “Do you know who this is ref? (My thoughts: Woolen being one of the least physical players on tackles since coming up). Cmon man. Bro laid some wood let him celebrate (Pop the champagne). “

The other was out of pure jubilation when the Falcons couldn’t score on their last drive, I think Okada knocked the ball out before the Falcons receiver could catch it. Just so much joy for this D not giving up a TD.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Agree to disagree. He bent down and yelled something. It does nothing but hurt the team. And of all the guys to do that, you'd think he would have learned by now. Celebrate with teammates, it's not that hard to figure out.
It doesn't matter if it's "bs" or if it "shouldn't be a penalty"
Well, it IS A PENALTY and has been for years. Of course, you just get called an old man if you want to see guys just celebrating with their teammates and not taunting other players and the sidelines. And yeah, I'm getting old.
Again, MANY people acted like DK stabbed someone when got penalties. It was stupid when he did it, and it's stupid when Reek does it.
And, for the record, I loved it when the LOB did it. Well.....except for the penalty came.

Most of us remember Steve's call: Bruuuuuce, nooooooooooooooooooo

 

[RiverDog]

This is the final year of Woolen's rookie contract. He'll be a free agent in 2026. Given his past propensity to give less than his best effort combined with this continuing problem of drawing stupid penalties, I'd be very hesitant to bring him back. He could be another Quandre Diggs, gets his big payday then hits the easy chair.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

The better he plays, the better return if he signs somewhere else. Kid has a ton of talent, but I wouldn't mind seeing them move on from him next year.
Also, I DO understand why people are saying it wasn't that big of a deal, etc. Guess I'm just set in my thinking that taunting does nothing but hurt the team. Imagine him doing that in the 4th quarter of a big game? Just sayin.
Love my boy Spoon, but he pushes that line too, and I'm always......walk away....walk away.

Love the passion of this team and the fire. But part of being a Hawks fan is holding your breath after every play, hoping to not see a stupid flag

 

[Nerter]

He can play, when he wants to. But the Taunting, STILL to this day. There's ZERO reason for it. Drives my f'ing insane.

JUST....WALK.....AWAY

Why in the hell is it so hard for players to just make a play and celebrate with teammates?
This guy has a history of this crap. It's ridiculous.

He doesn't even have to walk away...just turn your back to the player. Pretty sure the player he just blew up will still GET the message.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

No doubt. It's that simple.

 

[classicaaron]

hes just not the smartest and always self sabotages. like his interception two weeks ago, only to run around the field and end up fumbling it. like just protect the ball. he can never just make the needed play, always has to be something extra and in his case it always ends up being a negative. very frustrating they he can do so well only to F it up a second later.

 

[Ozzy]

It's a rule they've put an emphasis on so Woolen doing it there was flat out dumb regardless of whether or not we think they should throw a flag. I'm pumped he's playing better but I'm betting Macdonald let him know after the taunting penalty.

 

[MORGULON]

At some point, just treat him like Browner. Browner was good for at least one 15 each game. But he absolutely made 3-4 critical plays per game.

Riq has dialed back on trying for the pick and instead getting his hand on more passes to knock them away. Easily 3+ critical plays made per game too. And more importantly, staying on his man so the QB has to look for someone else.

Jobe is consistent but not dominant. And Jobe gets penalties when he gets beaten too. Riq rarely gets beaten. His penalties are more be a bit of a D-bag to opposing players. But I'll take it, easily.

Browner was nasty like that. How many times did a play end and the camera would find him and the WR scraping?

 

[HawkFreak]

It happened within about 10 feet of the ref and Woolen was bent over saying something in the receiver's face, so he very obviously said something very naughty.

Woolen has really improved his play from what it was last season and for the first few games this year. But he has to clean up these stupid penalties. Yesterday wasn't the first time he was flagged for something completely unnecessary. It didn't hurt us yesterday.

I wonder if the flag gets thrown if he was standing over him and yelled something nice and encouraging. Is it the posture that is taunting? Or the words?

 

[RiverDog]

I wonder if the flag gets thrown if he was standing over him and yelled something nice and encouraging. Is it the posture that is taunting? Or the words?

The ref was close enough to where he almost certainly heard whatever it was Woolen said.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

I wonder if the flag gets thrown if he was standing over him and yelled something nice and encouraging. Is it the posture that is taunting? Or the words?

True. He probably said "Dear Sir, I apologize for tackling you. I hope you enjoy your holidays"

 

[glenwo2]

If you jerkweeds are warming to 27 I swear to God I'm going to start funneling leftover USAid money to the Rams and Santa Clara.

I read this while imagining this guy staring at everyone :

 

[SeahawkSteve80]

I’ve been impressed with Woolen’s play the past month. He seems willing to actually attempt to make a tackle now

 

[FreshBoxLive]

That tackle he had that drew the "taunting" flag was the best tackle of Riqs career and the physicality was surprising even as a Woolen apologist.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

We def. got spoiled with Sherm. Dude was one of the best tackling corners we've ever seen.

 

[glenwo2]

We def. got spoiled with Sherm. Dude was one of the best tackling corners we've ever seen.

And he was called for Taunting penalties himself from what I've heard.

But he was badass as they come and wouldn't take no sh*t from anyone.

 

[FreshBoxLive]

The ref was close enough to where he almost certainly heard whatever it was Woolen said.

Probably "ninja" if you catch my drift

 

[SoulfishHawk]

And he was called for Taunting penalties himself from what I've heard.

But he was badass as they come and wouldn't take no sh*t from anyone.

He was also an all time great.