Jerome Bettis on Suggs Penalty

[sebman2112]

I'll say this about Terrell Suggs' questionable hit on Tom Brady: If Tom hadn't gotten his right leg out of the way, there would have been a much bigger, much nastier collision. If I were a ref, there was just enough contact, even with Tom saving his own butt, for me to make that call. It was a 50-50 play: If they hadn't flagged it, I would have understood it. They did, and I understood that.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers show up critics - Jerome Bettis - SI.com

He goes on to say that he doesn't like the current rules in place to protect QB's, but I've got to admit his analysis of what took place is pretty good. In my opinion, Suggs went for Tom's knee, and the impact would have been greater if Brady hadn't moved his leg at the last second. heck, Suggs even stuck his elbow out and lowered his helmet as he was going into Brady.

 

[Kontradiction]

The only reason that this isn't widely agreed upon is because opposing fans are letting their hatred of Brady and the Pats cloud their vision and critical thinking skills. It was very OBVIOUSLY a dirty shot on Brady.

 

[mayoclinic]

First of all, I've been reading Bettis' column all year and have been very impressed by it. He's intelligent, articulate, and insightful - sort of the anti-Marshall Faulk. After Faulk and Emmit Smith, what a breath of fresh air. Several of his columns have been very fine indeed. It's also refreshing to see someone who's not afraid he was wrong, as in his comment about having pre-judged Josh McDaniels.

With that said, I disagree with several points in his latest column:

1. Mendenhall looked good, and Pittsburgh's much maligned OL did a fine job of run blocking Monday night. I had thought Mendenhall would be a stud coming out in 2008 and was waiting for him to show something. But San Diego has a horrible DL this year after Olshanky's departure and the injury to Jammal Williams. Saying "I love the way Justin Hartwig controlled San Diego's nose guard" doesn't mean much, when my 80 year old mother could probably control rookie NT Ogemdi Nagbuo (my mom's pretty tough, BTW).

2. If the NFL didn't bend over backwards to protect the QB, a starting QB would be lucky to make it through a full season. The players have just gotten so big and fast. A decade ago Levon Kirkland was a freak LB at close to 270 lbs. Now that is commonplace in 3-4 settings. There's just too much potential for injury. And given the Brady rule (and the rule about no contact with the QB's head), the roughing penalties on Ngata and Suggs have to be called, even though I don't think either was flagrant or intentional. Brady could easily have been injured on the Suggs play. The fact is, it is a QB and passing driven league, and it's bad for business to see Manning replaced by Jim Sorgi or Brady replaced by Brian Hoyer.

3. Amazing what a 4-0 start can do. Everyone was ready to bury Josh McDaniels before he had coached a game. Now everyone is proclaiming him a genius. Mike Lombardi declared that McDaniels would definitely win a SB as a head coach. I think he's done a good job under difficult circumstances, but come on. It will be interested to see what happens if Denver struggles during it's upcoming run of tough opponents.

 

[BigtimeColtsfans]

I didn't see the game so the only play I can comment on is that Suggs play and that wasn't a dirty play.

If Suggs was actually trying to hit brady he did a piss poor job of it. From what I've heard Brady said it wasn't a dirty play, he just knew he could get a penalty called. Someone told me that so I don't know if he actually said it, but it didn't look dirty to me at all. He barely even touched Brady.

Go ahead and say it's my "hatred of the Patriots" (like I don't hate the Ravens) that makes me say that but it's true.

That was a joke of a penalty. Sooner or later the Brady Rule is going to be called in a game that will cost a team a PO game or a PO win and it's going to blow up in the leagues face.

The way it is now is ridiculous. QB's should get hit too.

 

[JSn]

I think the rules are a bit over-the-top too, but you can look in your own back yard for the answer to that...

I didn't see the game so the only play I can comment on is that Suggs play and that wasn't a dirty play.

If Suggs was actually trying to hit brady he did a piss poor job of it. From what I've heard Brady said it wasn't a dirty play, he just knew he could get a penalty called. Someone told me that so I don't know if he actually said it, but it didn't look dirty to me at all. He barely even touched Brady.

Go ahead and say it's my "hatred of the Patriots" (like I don't hate the Ravens) that makes me say that but it's true.

That was a joke of a penalty. Sooner or later the Brady Rule is going to be called in a game that will cost a team a PO game or a PO win and it's going to blow up in the leagues face.

The way it is now is ridiculous. QB's should get hit too.

 

[mayoclinic]

I didn't see the game so the only play I can comment on is that Suggs play and that wasn't a dirty play.

If Suggs was actually trying to hit brady he did a piss poor job of it. From what I've heard Brady said it wasn't a dirty play, he just knew he could get a penalty called. Someone told me that so I don't know if he actually said it, but it didn't look dirty to me at all. He barely even touched Brady.

Go ahead and say it's my "hatred of the Patriots" (like I don't hate the Ravens) that makes me say that but it's true.

That was a joke of a penalty. Sooner or later the Brady Rule is going to be called in a game that will cost a team a PO game or a PO win and it's going to blow up in the leagues face.

The way it is now is ridiculous. QB's should get hit too.

Sounds like you should have a talk with Polian.

I'm all for protecting the QB, but I don't particularly like the way rules have gone overboard either. Suggs' hit was a penalty as the rule is currently construed, even though I don't think it was particularly egregious or deserving of a penalty. The NFL chose to institute the rule, and I really don't think the Pats have much influence on the Rules Committee.

 

[Kontradiction]

I didn't see the game so the only play I can comment on is that Suggs play and that wasn't a dirty play.

If Suggs was actually trying to hit brady he did a piss poor job of it. From what I've heard Brady said it wasn't a dirty play, he just knew he could get a penalty called. Someone told me that so I don't know if he actually said it, but it didn't look dirty to me at all. He barely even touched Brady.

Go ahead and say it's my "hatred of the Patriots" (like I don't hate the Ravens) that makes me say that but it's true.

That was a joke of a penalty. Sooner or later the Brady Rule is going to be called in a game that will cost a team a PO game or a PO win and it's going to blow up in the leagues face.

The way it is now is ridiculous. QB's should get hit too.

If Brady's knee is still extended, that's another blown knee and another ended season. Don't be ridiculous. The video is out there for you to see. If it was Manning, you'd be singing our tune but nobody hits the golden boy. His commerials are just too damn funny.

 

[upstater1]

I didn't see the game so the only play I can comment on is that Suggs play and that wasn't a dirty play.

If Suggs was actually trying to hit brady he did a piss poor job of it. From what I've heard Brady said it wasn't a dirty play, he just knew he could get a penalty called. Someone told me that so I don't know if he actually said it, but it didn't look dirty to me at all. He barely even touched Brady.

Go ahead and say it's my "hatred of the Patriots" (like I don't hate the Ravens) that makes me say that but it's true.

That was a joke of a penalty. Sooner or later the Brady Rule is going to be called in a game that will cost a team a PO game or a PO win and it's going to blow up in the leagues face.

The way it is now is ridiculous. QB's should get hit too.

It's your hatred of Brady that makes you say all that.

Suggs went in there deliberately to injure Brady. It's clear as day. He actually dips down after he's totally free from the lineman.

Secondly, can we end this, "They protect QBs" bullcrud?

What about crackback blocks and chop blocks? Do you think the NFL also doesn't protect Suggs as well?

Maybe if we got rid of the rules against hitting low, we should also get rid of chopblocks. How do you think defenders would like that one?

 

[Kontradiction]

Sounds like you should have a talk with Polian.

I'm all for protecting the QB, but I don't particularly like the way rules have gone overboard either. Suggs' hit was a penalty as the rule is currently construed, even though I don't think it was particularly egregious or deserving of a penalty. The NFL chose to institute the rule, and I really don't think the Pats have much influence on the Rules Committee.

Yeah. It's pretty funny that Colts fans, of all people, are complaining about rules changes. Have Polian call the league office. I'm sure he can overturn the "Brady Rule".

What's also funny is that people are attempting to blame Brady for a rule that Bernard Pollard really put into effect. That fact that you're also doing this only goes to show that your blind, irrational hatred of Brady and the Pats is clouding your better judgment.

EDIT: This post was also meant for the Colts fan.

 

[sebman2112]

I didn't see the game so the only play I can comment on is that Suggs play and that wasn't a dirty play.

If Suggs was actually trying to hit brady he did a piss poor job of it. From what I've heard Brady said it wasn't a dirty play, he just knew he could get a penalty called. Someone told me that so I don't know if he actually said it, but it didn't look dirty to me at all. He barely even touched Brady.

Go ahead and say it's my "hatred of the Patriots" (like I don't hate the Ravens) that makes me say that but it's true.

That was a joke of a penalty. Sooner or later the Brady Rule is going to be called in a game that will cost a team a PO game or a PO win and it's going to blow up in the leagues face.

The way it is now is ridiculous. QB's should get hit too.

First off, Brady moved his leg in an attempt to avoid contact with Suggs, which lessened the impact. Even with Brady's quick thinking, Suggs still hit him at the knee, which is illegal. Wright got called for a blow to the head when he sacked Flacco, but you don't see him complaining, do you?


Also, I wish people would stop bringing up "the Brady rule" when discussing this play. It's been illegal to hit the QB below the knees for a few years now, and if anything I'd say the hit to Carson Palmer that brought about a league emphasis concerning penalizing defenders going low would be the more accurate comparison. The Brady rule involves a defender who has already gone to the ground, and then decided to go low on the QB. That's what Pollard did in 2008, which didn't mirror the Suggs penalty.

 

[tajapandu]

I didn't see the game so the only play I can comment on is that Suggs play and that wasn't a dirty play.

If Suggs was actually trying to hit brady he did a piss poor job of it. From what I've heard Brady said it wasn't a dirty play, he just knew he could get a penalty called. Someone told me that so I don't know if he actually said it, but it didn't look dirty to me at all. He barely even touched Brady.

Go ahead and say it's my "hatred of the Patriots" (like I don't hate the Ravens) that makes me say that but it's true.

That was a joke of a penalty. Sooner or later the Brady Rule is going to be called in a game that will cost a team a PO game or a PO win and it's going to blow up in the leagues face.

The way it is now is ridiculous. QB's should get hit too.

I really hope nothing bad ever happens to your quarterback. Really. But if, God forbid, it does, you'll know where the people around here are coming from.

 

[Kontradiction]

I really hope nothing bad ever happens to your quarterback. Really. But if, God forbid, it does, you'll know where the people around here are coming from.

My dad swears up and down that Manning has a bad injury heading his way one of these days. The funny thing is that he said the exact same thing about Brady in 2007 - claiming that Brady had too long of a run of good luck on the injury front. Suddenly, the unspeakable happened last year. He also used to say the same thing about Marino, for what it's worth. Manning has just been too lucky with the injuries. I hope it doesn't, but it probably will catch up with him down the line. Not every QB can enjoy a Brett Favre-type run throughout their career.

 

[ausbacker]

I didn't see the game so the only play I can comment on is that Suggs play and that wasn't a dirty play.

If Suggs was actually trying to hit brady he did a piss poor job of it. From what I've heard Brady said it wasn't a dirty play, he just knew he could get a penalty called. Someone told me that so I don't know if he actually said it, but it didn't look dirty to me at all. He barely even touched Brady.

Go ahead and say it's my "hatred of the Patriots" (like I don't hate the Ravens) that makes me say that but it's true.

That was a joke of a penalty. Sooner or later the Brady Rule is going to be called in a game that will cost a team a PO game or a PO win and it's going to blow up in the leagues face.

The way it is now is ridiculous. QB's should get hit too.

Fancy that.. not seeing the game and feeling the need to comment on one incident, probably shown for a short time on Sportscenter then back it up with someone told me.

I love Colts fans. I really truly do. You're like the gifts that keep on giving.

 

[SeauOUCH]

I don't get all these comments about how Suggs barely even hit him? Suggs barely hit his knee BECAUSE Brady had gotten rid of the ball 3 seconds before hand & saw him coming. So not only was it a late hit ( flag ) but it was also a low hit ( also a flag ). If Brady hadn't moved that could of been a season ended cheap shot.

If someone took a dive a Peyton's knee after he has gotten rid of the ball & ended his season not only would the Colts forums meltdown but Polian would enforce a rule change that defenders can no longer rush the QB, only drop into coverage.

 

[smg93]

Frankly Mr. Harrison's joke didn't help at all with the sentiment about this so called "Brady Rule". Send Brady a text next time about the skirt thing and keep it between the both of you. Saying it on national tv, joke or otherwise was in my opinion not the brightest thing to do.

Oh and back on Topic, I do think Suggs play was dirty. Had Brady not moved out of the way, we could have been seeing much more of Hoyer than we really want to.

 

[Kontradiction]

Frankly Mr. Harrison's joke didn't help at all with the sentiment about this so called "Brady Rule". Send Brady a text next time about the skirt thing and keep it between the both of you. Saying it on national tv, joke or otherwise was in my opinion not the brightest thing to do.

Oh and back on Topic, I do think Suggs play was dirty. Had Brady not moved out of the way, we could have been seeing much more of Hoyer than we really want to.

He's a member of the media and, as such, is entitled to say anything he wants. People here praised him for doing it when he was saying the same stuff about our opponents. Now that he said it about the Pats, people are jumping on him like a bunch of rabid wolves. Pretty hypocritical if you ask me...

 

[BradyFTW!]

I didn't see the game so the only play I can comment on is that Suggs play and that wasn't a dirty play.

If Suggs was actually trying to hit brady he did a piss poor job of it. From what I've heard Brady said it wasn't a dirty play, he just knew he could get a penalty called. Someone told me that so I don't know if he actually said it, but it didn't look dirty to me at all. He barely even touched Brady.

Go ahead and say it's my "hatred of the Patriots" (like I don't hate the Ravens) that makes me say that but it's true.

That was a joke of a penalty. Sooner or later the Brady Rule is going to be called in a game that will cost a team a PO game or a PO win and it's going to blow up in the leagues face.

The way it is now is ridiculous. QB's should get hit too.

That wasn't a "Brady Rule" call. Learn what the Brady Rule is. Hitting a QB in the knee has been illegal for quite a while- I think it might actually go back to a knee injury that Mark Brunell got back in the 90s on a late hit? I dunno, maybe I'm totally wrong on that.

 

[smg93]

He's a member of the media and, as such, is entitled to say anything he wants. People here praised him for doing it when he was saying the same stuff about our opponents. Now that he said it about the Pats, people are jumping on him like a bunch of rabid wolves. Pretty hypocritical if you ask me...

There's a difference when you're kidding around just with your buddies. Everyone gets you because they all know you. It doesn't translate well when you're saying stuff like that to 250 million people. It's not hypocritical, it's common sense.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Re: Jerome Bettis on Sugg's Penalty

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers show up critics - Jerome Bettis - SI.com

He goes on to say that he doesn't like the current rules in place to protect QB's, but I've got to admit his analysis of what took place is pretty good. In my opinion, Suggs went for Tom's knee, and the impact would have been greater if Brady hadn't moved his leg at the last second. heck, Suggs even stuck his elbow out and lowered his helmet as he was going into Brady.

I thought that Brady was like a Matador. The Bull, (Suggs), had red in his eye and looking to hurt Brady as he dives at his knees. Like a Matador Brady deftly let him charge the cape and swings his leg out of the way, so he is tackling mostly air.

 

[sbpatfan]

After watching that video about 50 times, Suggs was either

1) Going for a cheap shot and conveniently "tripped" so he was running low and could transition into a fall that could cause some serious damage.

or

2) Such a moron that he doesn't recognize falling into Brady's knees is an awful idea. It's not like he was pushed into Brady, if you get tripped up and are able to plant your feet like he did,you can definitely roll, fall, use an arm to catch yourself, etc to avoid going into Brady's knees.