Golden Tate laying out Jags FS Dwight Lowery

[-The Glove-]

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk 8m
NFL says Seahawks WR Golden Tate was fined $21,000 for blindside block on Jags S Dwight Lowery.

NFL strikes again.

A little more info from PFT.

Lowery suffered a concussion on the play. Tate will now suffer the removal of $21,000 from his paycheck, pending appeal.

The NFL says Tate was fined for the hit, even though he wans’t fined. It wasn’t a blindside block per se; Lowery was considered to be in a defenseless posture, protecting him against a helmet-to-helmet hit. That’s the new rule added in March, given last year’s hit by former Jets guard Matt Slauson on Texans linebacker Brian Cushing.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/ca ... umor-mill/

He wasn't fined for the hit even though he wasn't fined? You mean flagged right?

 

[CallMeADawg]

Ya, I am guessing that is a typo.

 

[CANHawk]

So this is the new thing, every time someone gets hurt we make a new rule? :34853_doh:

 

[CallMeADawg]

Think of it this way, Golden Tate paid $21k to put the rest of the league on notice that he has a hammer and ain't afraid to use it. Could prove beneficial in the long run!

 

[benpen]

Think of it this way, Golden Tate paid $21k to put the rest of the league on notice that he has a hammer and ain't afraid to use it. Could prove beneficial in the long run!

Agreed, I think it absolutely helped last year when Tate lit up Lee.

 

[Tical21]

Look guys, you can argue the semantics of the rule all you want. The play that caused it was an undersized receiver getting underneath a linebacker that wasn't looking, breaking his jaw and ending his season. A nearly identical hit to Tate's. This is EXACTLY the hit the rule is supposed to protect. Tate went for the KO, launching himself upwards into the chest of the defender. When this happens, the helmet naturally carries itself upwards into the chin area at impact. Lowery, whether or not he should have, didn't see it coming. He was therefore defenseless. For this to be a clean hit, Golden needs to hit him MUCH lower, with his helmet near the hip, not the chest. It isn't natural by any means, and makes it much more difficult to block effectively, but it saves seasons. The league wants you to notice the blindside KO shot, and refrain from taking it.

I'm not saying whether or not I agree with the rule itself, but the enforcement of the rule in this case is correct. Everybody seems to interpret that the rule only applies if a guy comes in with the crown of his helmet and attacks the other player on his helmet, but that unfortunately is not correct. This is exactly the hit the rule is in place for. Call it a wussy rule if you want, and complain about the new NFL, but as the rule is written, Golden broke it, could have easily cost Lowery his season, and was fined justly.

 

[Sports Hernia]

Look guys, you can argue the semantics of the rule all you want. The play that caused it was an undersized receiver getting underneath a linebacker that wasn't looking, breaking his jaw and ending his season. A nearly identical hit to Tate's. This is EXACTLY the hit the rule is supposed to protect. Tate went for the KO, launching himself upwards into the chest of the defender. When this happens, the helmet naturally carries itself upwards into the chin area at impact. Lowery, whether or not he should have, didn't see it coming. He was therefore defenseless. For this to be a clean hit, Golden needs to hit him MUCH lower, with his helmet near the hip, not the chest. It isn't natural by any means, and makes it much more difficult to block effectively, but it saves seasons. The league wants you to notice the blindside KO shot, and refrain from taking it.

I'm not saying whether or not I agree with the rule itself, but the enforcement of the rule in this case is correct. Everybody seems to interpret that the rule only applies if a guy comes in with the crown of his helmet and attacks the other player on his helmet, but that unfortunately is not correct. This is exactly the hit the rule is in place for. Call it a wussy rule if you want, and complain about the new NFL, but as the rule is written, Golden broke it, could have easily cost Lowery his season, and was fined justly.

Blah blah blah.... It's called football! At this rate Rog will have them playing in skirts by next year. Send Rog to London and leave his pansy ass over there!

 

[Bigpumpkin]

Look guys, you can argue the semantics of the rule all you want. The play that caused it was an undersized receiver getting underneath a linebacker that wasn't looking, breaking his jaw and ending his season. A nearly identical hit to Tate's. This is EXACTLY the hit the rule is supposed to protect. Tate went for the KO, launching himself upwards into the chest of the defender. When this happens, the helmet naturally carries itself upwards into the chin area at impact. Lowery, whether or not he should have, didn't see it coming. He was therefore defenseless. For this to be a clean hit, Golden needs to hit him MUCH lower, with his helmet near the hip, not the chest. It isn't natural by any means, and makes it much more difficult to block effectively, but it saves seasons. The league wants you to notice the blindside KO shot, and refrain from taking it.

I'm not saying whether or not I agree with the rule itself, but the enforcement of the rule in this case is correct. Everybody seems to interpret that the rule only applies if a guy comes in with the crown of his helmet and attacks the other player on his helmet, but that unfortunately is not correct. This is exactly the hit the rule is in place for. Call it a wussy rule if you want, and complain about the new NFL, but as the rule is written, Golden broke it, could have easily cost Lowery his season, and was fined justly.

What a "Pansy Ass"!! You'll fit right in while working at League HDQRTS! :34853_doh:

 

[CANHawk]

Look guys, you can argue the semantics of the rule all you want. The play that caused it was an undersized receiver getting underneath a linebacker that wasn't looking, breaking his jaw and ending his season. A nearly identical hit to Tate's. This is EXACTLY the hit the rule is supposed to protect. Tate went for the KO, launching himself upwards into the chest of the defender. When this happens, the helmet naturally carries itself upwards into the chin area at impact. Lowery, whether or not he should have, didn't see it coming. He was therefore defenseless. For this to be a clean hit, Golden needs to hit him MUCH lower, with his helmet near the hip, not the chest. It isn't natural by any means, and makes it much more difficult to block effectively, but it saves seasons. The league wants you to notice the blindside KO shot, and refrain from taking it.

I'm not saying whether or not I agree with the rule itself, but the enforcement of the rule in this case is correct. Everybody seems to interpret that the rule only applies if a guy comes in with the crown of his helmet and attacks the other player on his helmet, but that unfortunately is not correct. This is exactly the hit the rule is in place for. Call it a wussy rule if you want, and complain about the new NFL, but as the rule is written, Golden broke it, could have easily cost Lowery his season, and was fined justly.

Are you SERIOUSLY saying that you're supposed to be blocking people with your helmet at their HIP? What the hell are you even talking about!? Have you ever actually blocked somebody before?! What you've just described is perhaps the most unnatural and foreign technique for blocking I've ever heard. So you're saying I'm supposed to risk breaking MY neck because some dumbshit isn't watching where he's going!?

Sorry dude, but if you're trying to defend this, you're not doing a good job... Truth is, Lowery almost cost Lowery his season because he's a dumbshit that got tunnel vision because he had a boner for the ball carrier. Keep your head on a swivel. It's been said so many times it's cliche, but it's one of the truest statements in sports.

 

[-The Glove-]

So in other words don't go high and risk a concussion. Go low and risk a season ending ligament/s tear

 

[Jacob]

So now he is a repeat offender. So the fines will get higher. All because he hit a guy in the chest so hard his head bounced off the field. Hope he keeps doing it because it was awesome!

 

[Pandion Haliaetus]

In my opinion.

This is all BS.

If such rules have to exist in the first place... you know what I mean idiot proof warnings... then defensive players should themselves accountable to know where the offensive player in his vicinity is.

Lowery is a safety, the last line of defense, he should know where most offensive players, its a liability issue on his part for not doing his job correctly.

With that said, Lowery defenseless was his own damn fault and if Tate has to be fined for it. Okay, but maybe the NFL needs to use some of that revunue for a safety bootcamp for all new players entering the leaugue and educate these players to hold themselves accountable for putting themselves in a defenseless position.

However, what irritates me the most is how Ahmad Brooks hit was completely legal on Russell Wilson.

1. I know it wasn't a blindside hit as Wilson had enough time to brace for impact.

2. However, even if it was a read option play, Wilson clearly hands the ball off to Lynch, that much his established prior to even Brooks launching into his tackle.

3. What bugs me the most his Brooks completely disregards Lynch the whole time, he was head-hunting Wilson the whole time.

4. Wilson is lucky and smart, he braced for impact the way he did, because Brooks had all the intention to put the hurt on Wilson even leading with his helmet. Had Wilson not turned his head, that's a blow to the chin. Concussion. Broken Jaw. Game Over, Wilson.

However, the NFL doesn't feel Brooks hit was fineable. Ok, had this been Rodgers or Luck running this read-option play I BET its a flag and a fine... no matter what the rules say.

Fact is, Tate didn't even lead or touch him with his helmet, it wasn't a shoulder pick, Tate simply obtained leverage, through his hands into Lowerys chest and pancaked him. If Lowery was smarter he would have seen in his periphals that Tate was there but DL was so locked on to Rice. If Lowery was smarter he would have felt Tates hands on his chest and thought of the circumstances in that split second but again he was still focused on Rice rather than his own safety. If Lowery was smarter, he would have felt himself leave the ground, but most likely Lowery eyes were closed and he wasn't smart enough to see Tate, to feel Tate, before it was too late.

All of which leads to the violent display of whiplash that concussed Lowery. It wasn't because Tate made a dirty block, he squared Lowry up, threw his hands into his chest, textbook block. Its Lowerys own damn fault he didn't have the awareness nor ability to think, oh snap, I feel hands on my chest, oh snap, I'm off the ground...I need to protect myself.

And if Lowery doesn't know how to protect himself in those situations whose fault is that but his own. Lowery should get fined for being a bad football player rather than Tate being a good one and understanding the game better.

 

[Sports Hernia]

Tate needs to appeal this BS!

 

[Tical21]

Look guys, you can argue the semantics of the rule all you want. The play that caused it was an undersized receiver getting underneath a linebacker that wasn't looking, breaking his jaw and ending his season. A nearly identical hit to Tate's. This is EXACTLY the hit the rule is supposed to protect. Tate went for the KO, launching himself upwards into the chest of the defender. When this happens, the helmet naturally carries itself upwards into the chin area at impact. Lowery, whether or not he should have, didn't see it coming. He was therefore defenseless. For this to be a clean hit, Golden needs to hit him MUCH lower, with his helmet near the hip, not the chest. It isn't natural by any means, and makes it much more difficult to block effectively, but it saves seasons. The league wants you to notice the blindside KO shot, and refrain from taking it.

I'm not saying whether or not I agree with the rule itself, but the enforcement of the rule in this case is correct. Everybody seems to interpret that the rule only applies if a guy comes in with the crown of his helmet and attacks the other player on his helmet, but that unfortunately is not correct. This is exactly the hit the rule is in place for. Call it a wussy rule if you want, and complain about the new NFL, but as the rule is written, Golden broke it, could have easily cost Lowery his season, and was fined justly.

Are you SERIOUSLY saying that you're supposed to be blocking people with your helmet at their HIP? What the hell are you even talking about!? Have you ever actually blocked somebody before?! What you've just described is perhaps the most unnatural and foreign technique for blocking I've ever heard. So you're saying I'm supposed to risk breaking MY neck because some dumbshit isn't watching where he's going!?

Sorry dude, but if you're trying to defend this, you're not doing a good job... Truth is, Lowery almost cost Lowery his season because he's a dumbshit that got tunnel vision because he had a boner for the ball carrier. Keep your head on a swivel. It's been said so many times it's cliche, but it's one of the truest statements in sports.

I blocked for 16 years, and coached blocking for 7 more. Contrary to NFL belief, the textbook block is not a helmet to the middle of the chest. It is bending at the knees to get you nice and low, sticking your butt out, head up, having a flat back, and putting your helmet underneath the armpit, just above the hip.

Lowery should have seen what was going on, nobody ever denies this. But he didn't, just as many defenders don't. Therefore, the window that Tate has to hit him is incredibly small. You just can't hit a defender that isn't looking up high. Sorry. I never said I agreed with it. You can't do it because guys hurt their jaws, guys hurt their necks, guys get concussions. If you're going to hit a guy that isn't looking, you can't launch and you can't go high. Period. I don't understand how anybody could debate that, it really couldn't get any clearer.

 

[Tical21]

In my opinion.

This is all BS.

If such rules have to exist in the first place... you know what I mean idiot proof warnings... then defensive players should themselves accountable to know where the offensive player in his vicinity is.

Lowery is a safety, the last line of defense, he should know where most offensive players, its a liability issue on his part for not doing his job correctly.

With that said, Lowery defenseless was his own damn fault and if Tate has to be fined for it. Okay, but maybe the NFL needs to use some of that revunue for a safety bootcamp for all new players entering the leaugue and educate these players to hold themselves accountable for putting themselves in a defenseless position.

However, what irritates me the most is how Ahmad Brooks hit was completely legal on Russell Wilson.

1. I know it wasn't a blindside hit as Wilson had enough time to brace for impact.

2. However, even if it was a read option play, Wilson clearly hands the ball off to Lynch, that much his established prior to even Brooks launching into his tackle.

3. What bugs me the most his Brooks completely disregards Lynch the whole time, he was head-hunting Wilson the whole time.

4. Wilson is lucky and smart, he braced for impact the way he did, because Brooks had all the intention to put the hurt on Wilson even leading with his helmet. Had Wilson not turned his head, that's a blow to the chin. Concussion. Broken Jaw. Game Over, Wilson.

However, the NFL doesn't feel Brooks hit was fineable. Ok, had this been Rodgers or Luck running this read-option play I BET its a flag and a fine... no matter what the rules say.

Fact is, Tate didn't even lead or touch him with his helmet, it wasn't a shoulder pick, Tate simply obtained leverage, through his hands into Lowerys chest and pancaked him. If Lowery was smarter he would have seen in his periphals that Tate was there but DL was so locked on to Rice. If Lowery was smarter he would have felt Tates hands on his chest and thought of the circumstances in that split second but again he was still focused on Rice rather than his own safety. If Lowery was smarter, he would have felt himself leave the ground, but most likely Lowery eyes were closed and he wasn't smart enough to see Tate, to feel Tate, before it was too late.

All of which leads to the violent display of whiplash that concussed Lowery. It wasn't because Tate made a dirty block, he squared Lowry up, threw his hands into his chest, textbook block. Its Lowerys own damn fault he didn't have the awareness nor ability to think, oh snap, I feel hands on my chest, oh snap, I'm off the ground...I need to protect myself.

And if Lowery doesn't know how to protect himself in those situations whose fault is that but his own. Lowery should get fined for being a bad football player rather than Tate being a good one and understanding the game better.

The league literally just had a meeting and told every team and basically every fan that that exact hit would be allowed. And you are wondering where the flag is? Were you too high that day?

 

[Bobblehead]

Think of it this way, Golden Tate paid $21k to put the rest of the league on notice that he has a hammer and ain't afraid to use it. Could prove beneficial in the long run!

I believe he had already accomplished that last year on Sean Lee.
this was just to validate it.

 

[twisted_steel2]

Golden needs to hit him MUCH lower, with his helmet near the hip, not the chest.

So now they're suppose to block/hit in the hips.... lol

C'mon dude, this is getting ridiculous. :34853_doh:

 

[Tical21]

Golden needs to hit him MUCH lower, with his helmet near the hip, not the chest.

So now they're suppose to block/hit in the hips.... lol

C'mon dude, this is getting ridiculous. :34853_doh:

My bad, just put your helmet in the dude's chin. That's textbook, right. That is the way we're all taught to block?

Helmet goes under the armpit with the head up. Have any of you guys EVER played the game for five minutes? What is going on here? I'm getting ridiculous?

 

[CANHawk]

Look guys, you can argue the semantics of the rule all you want. The play that caused it was an undersized receiver getting underneath a linebacker that wasn't looking, breaking his jaw and ending his season. A nearly identical hit to Tate's. This is EXACTLY the hit the rule is supposed to protect. Tate went for the KO, launching himself upwards into the chest of the defender. When this happens, the helmet naturally carries itself upwards into the chin area at impact. Lowery, whether or not he should have, didn't see it coming. He was therefore defenseless. For this to be a clean hit, Golden needs to hit him MUCH lower, with his helmet near the hip, not the chest. It isn't natural by any means, and makes it much more difficult to block effectively, but it saves seasons. The league wants you to notice the blindside KO shot, and refrain from taking it.

I'm not saying whether or not I agree with the rule itself, but the enforcement of the rule in this case is correct. Everybody seems to interpret that the rule only applies if a guy comes in with the crown of his helmet and attacks the other player on his helmet, but that unfortunately is not correct. This is exactly the hit the rule is in place for. Call it a wussy rule if you want, and complain about the new NFL, but as the rule is written, Golden broke it, could have easily cost Lowery his season, and was fined justly.

Are you SERIOUSLY saying that you're supposed to be blocking people with your helmet at their HIP? What the hell are you even talking about!? Have you ever actually blocked somebody before?! What you've just described is perhaps the most unnatural and foreign technique for blocking I've ever heard. So you're saying I'm supposed to risk breaking MY neck because some dumbshit isn't watching where he's going!?

Sorry dude, but if you're trying to defend this, you're not doing a good job... Truth is, Lowery almost cost Lowery his season because he's a dumbshit that got tunnel vision because he had a boner for the ball carrier. Keep your head on a swivel. It's been said so many times it's cliche, but it's one of the truest statements in sports.

I blocked for 16 years, and coached blocking for 7 more. Contrary to NFL belief, the textbook block is not a helmet to the middle of the chest. It is bending at the knees to get you nice and low, sticking your butt out, head up, having a flat back, and putting your helmet underneath the armpit, just above the hip.

Lowery should have seen what was going on, nobody ever denies this. But he didn't, just as many defenders don't. Therefore, the window that Tate has to hit him is incredibly small. You just can't hit a defender that isn't looking up high. Sorry. I never said I agreed with it. You can't do it because guys hurt their jaws, guys hurt their necks, guys get concussions. If you're going to hit a guy that isn't looking, you can't launch and you can't go high. Period. I don't understand how anybody could debate that, it really couldn't get any clearer.

I played fullback for 10 years, so I'm pretty familiar with blocking myself. What you described is textbook for picking up a blitz when the defender is coming straight at you, but isn't going to be terribly effective run blocking down field.

Look at that play the other way. Tate breaks down and let's the man come to him like you more or less suggest (you try running forward AND sticking YOUR butt out... impossible). Lowery sees him, probably avoids the open field block pretty easily because Tate is stopped, tackle for loss, drive stalls, Tate gets in shit. OR the ball carrier runs right into Tate because he's not supposed to be stopped. Either way, bad things happen.

No, when blocking down field, you gotta bring the lumber and drive forward. No other way.

And you say the Window for hitting a defender that isn't looking is incredibly small. So what’s Tate supposed to do coach? Let him run past? Cut block him? Hold him? Pretty sure those things are illegal too. Maybe he could throw kittens at him......

 

[AbsolutNET]

Golden needs to hit him MUCH lower, with his helmet near the hip, not the chest.

So now they're suppose to block/hit in the hips.... lol

C'mon dude, this is getting ridiculous. :34853_doh:

My bad, just put your helmet in the dude's chin. That's textbook, right. That is the way we're all taught to block?

Helmet goes under the armpit with the head up. Have any of you guys EVER played the game for five minutes? What is going on here? I'm getting ridiculous?

What's ridiculous is that you started off saying it was a "dirty hit" and now you're arguing that its "not textbook." Pick a side. It's not perfect form but it wasn't dirty like you initially said before you changed your argument.

Look at the quotes: First you said the helmet needs to be "near the hips, not the chest." Then you countered by saying the helmet should be next to the chest. You're arguing just to argue at this point.

Golden needs to hit him MUCH lower, with his helmet near the hip, not the chest.

Helmet goes under the armpit with the head up.