Shockt327

On the first drive, Ko Simpson illegally hit Moss helmet to helmet. Dan Dierdorff pointed out that he "hit a defenseless receiver."

What does this "defenseless receiver" rule encompass? Is it just helmet to helmet? Is shoulder to helmet illegal too?

upstater1

Moss was still coming down after going up in the air for the ball.

You have to let him at least set his feet so that he's not thrashed.

Shockt327

That's what I thought it was too.

I'm arguing with some idiot who thinks the call is the same as a late hit call. From what I understand, it is illegal to launch yourself into a receiver irregardless of whether or not he catches the ball or it bounces off his hands. Even if Moss caught the ball it would still be a penalty. If Moss had both feet on the ground and was running - then it would be legal.

Ice Cold Bruschi

Sorry I think that was a chicken ***** call its just further evidence of the pussyfication of the league under goodell. Hits like that used to be how the pats made their bread in the league back in 03-04

TripleOption

If a ball is clearly not catchable, then a receiver cannot be hit anyway. It falls under the same category as Roughing the Passer and Roughing the Kicker.

__________________
"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

--Robert J. Hanlon

patsfaninpa

I feel the same way. Rodney would have another 182 penalties in his career is that
was called all of the time. Not a knock on Rodney. I love the way he plays. Don't
care much for how it's officiated any more.

NYPatsFan

I thought it was a stupid call. Moss got his hands on the ball and Ko was running full speed at him. It's ridiculous to expect a defender to stop his forward momentum in a split second. Now, if the NFL decides it was a helmet-to-helmet hit then he will be fined. Otherwise, it was a stupid call by the ref.

upstater1

They changed the rule. You can't do that anymore. This rule doesn't bother me. Especially after Tatum-Morgan. WRs who go up for the ball are defenceless.

Batman

As a DB Hate the rule it turns football in to a boring sport rather than a collision sport. You can't touch a receiver to stop him from catching the ball.

DaBruinz

1) The Pats back in 03-04 did not hit receivers late and did not launch themselves at receivers while they were still in the air, but without the ball.
2) The Defenseless Receiver rule has been around for a long time.