Nebraska player suspended for "hitting a defenseless player" on a kick return.

• the_system

  Here we go....moving it down to the college ranks from the NFL.
  
  Some thoughts.
  
  -It didn't look to be helmet to helmet.
  -The guy is streaking down the field on a kickoff return near the play.
  -The guy, somehow, wasn't paying attention and got hit pretty good.
  
  What do you think?
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5qRVeRMhso&feature=player_embedded
• SportsAndLady

  

  Looks helmet to helmet to me?
• karen lotz

  

  SportsAndLady;535280 wrote:Looks helmet to helmet to me?

  
  Yeah definitely helmet to helmet. He didn't help himself by flexing after the hit.
• Hb31187

  

  If he leads with his shoulder is he still suspended simply because the player is "defenseless"? aka doesnt have his head on a swivel
• ytownfootball

  

  Yeah a little too much helmet to helmet, granted. I agree that there's a little too much Gastineau after the fact too, probably sealed the deal.
  
  BUT...at some point you have to take into account this is a game that has violent repercussions. It ain't fricken soccer. Isn't it asking a bit too much for players to be under complete control during the course of a play? There's an easily discernible difference between what happens "naturally" during the course of play and something that was done with malice.
• the_system

  If anything I think he grazes the bottom of his facemask.
  
  I can understand a receiver with his hands outstretched and looking up at the ball being defenseless but this guy is running down the field on a kickoff where he can see the entire field. He just simply got caught napping.
• ytownfootball

  

  Every level other than the NFL that blocker is getting a helmet sticker. Period.
• the_system

  ytownfootball;535311 wrote:Every level other than the NFL that blocker is getting a helmet sticker. Period.

  
  Unless your team is leaving the conference and the commish hates that idea. Then you get suspended.
• sjmvsfscs08

  the_system;535316 wrote:Unless your team is leaving the conference and the commish hates that idea. Then you get suspended.

  
  +1
• karen lotz

  

  the_system;535316 wrote:Unless your team is leaving the conference and the commish hates that idea. Then you get suspended.

  Wasn't Kurt Coleman suspended a game last year for a similar hit? I don't remember the hit or if it was Coleman but I do think it was someone from OSU.
• elbuckeye28

  karen lotz;535355 wrote:Wasn't Kurt Coleman suspended a game last year for a similar hit? I don't remember the hit or if it was Coleman but I do think it was someone from OSU.

  
  I think this is the play that Coleman got suspended for. He definitely led with his head, and I think his was much more blatant than the Nebraska player's, though the Nebraska player's was a lot harder.
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-PTEr78pcs
• karen lotz

  

  Wow, yeah that was pretty bad. And you are right about the Nebraska one was a little more vicious as far as contact goes. He might not have gotten suspended if he didn't do the 2 arm flex afterward.
• Speedofsand

  

  unnecessary roughness, but the guy should have been watching out better.
• ptown_trojans_1

  

  SportsAndLady;535280 wrote:Looks helmet to helmet to me?

  
  Yeah, same here.
  He hits him high too. No need to do that.
  Suspension is right for me.
  
  
  I'm all for tough games and keeping it physical, but this crosses the line and keep in mind, these are kids too.
• fan_from_texas

  Eh, the hit is borderline. The guy should've had his head on a swivel and been paying attention, but the Nebraska player was leading with his head.
• Sonofanump

  the_system;535276 wrote:What do you think?

  Correct decision on suspension.
• Sonofanump

  ytownfootball;535311 wrote:Every level other than the NFL that blocker is getting a helmet sticker. Period.

  
  Actually this is also a problem in NCAA & NFHS.
• Rebel_ I.N.S.

  

  fan_from_texas;535621 wrote:Eh, the hit is borderline. The guy should've had his head on a swivel and been paying attention, but the Nebraska player was leading with his head.

  
  This is my answer as well.
• bigkahuna

  elbuckeye28;535377 wrote:I think this is the play that Coleman got suspended for. He definitely led with his head, and I think his was much more blatant than the Nebraska player's, though the Nebraska player's was a lot harder.
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-PTEr78pcs

  
  This is completely different. The Ill. player is wrapped up on his way down, and Coleman came and JOP'd as well as nose dived. He should have been suspended.
  
  The thing that kills me is that it wasn't a fowl during the game.
• bigkahuna

  Also, if you pause it, it looks like his helmet goes to the side and he gets him with his shoulder at best.
  
  Hard hit? Yes. Illegal? No
• WebFire

  Sorry, I don't see anything worthy of a suspension. People seem to mistake incidental helmet-to-helmet as leading with the helmet. He didn't lead with it. He lead with his shoulder and then lowered his head before contact to protect himself. You want to flag him for helmet-to-helmet? Fine. We can agree to disagree.
  
  But a defenseless player? Are you freaking kidding me? The guy slowed down and flinched because he knew he was getting hit! He was part of the play! Keep you head on a swivel son! Dish out the punishment, don't take it!
  
  I tell you what. You want to eliminate big hits and injuries? Take away kickoffs, punts and the forward pass. Boy, won't that be exciting?
• WebFire

  After reviewing further, I think a flag for leading with the head was appropriate. But it should have stopped there.
• Scarlet_Buckeye

  

  I have mixed feelings about this. I think the onus has to be on the kicking team to watch out for blockers coming across the field, but at the same time it did look like the Nebraska player "launched" himself high which is probably unnecessary.
• vball10set

  he's prolly done this shit a hundred times back in the 'hood, but this time he doesn't have to worry about getting arrested--no biggie.
• Rebel_ I.N.S.

  

  vball10set;537241 wrote:he's prolly done this shit a hundred times back in the 'hood, but this time he doesn't have to worry about getting arrested--no biggie.

  
  Wow a much don't you think Vball>