Wilfork: Meriweather Illegal Hit Sparked Patriots

[Ron Sellers]

It Is What It Is Vince Wilfork on D&C: Brandon Meriweather illegal hit sparked Patriots

However, Wilfork said Meriweather’s hit may have served to inspire the Patriots. “I just think at that time, it was like, ‘Wow, somebody’s out here trying to be play some football and trying to be physical.’ Yes, it’s a penalty. But at the same time, something happened in that play. After that, I think after that everybody was, like, in tuned. We were in tuned. That was one thing I saw happened after that play.

“Like I said, I didn’t wish anything on anyone on anything like that there. The last thing I want to see is guys get hurt — and the penalty, a 15-yarder for Meriweather. But it was like after that play, it was like, ‘OK, let’s play some football.’ We started rolling from that. … Whatever it was, it worked. I hope it wasn’t the 15-yard penalty that got us riled up or got us going. But whatever it did, we were ready to play.”

 

[PatsDeb]

Oy, Vince. I wouldn't celebrate this too much. How about you tell Merriweather the hit would be perfect if he could aim it about a foot lower and keep his head up?

 

[reflexblue]

It Is What It Is Vince Wilfork on D&C: Brandon Meriweather illegal hit sparked Patriots

If BM hit him below the head and wasn't a completely dirty cheap shot i might compare it to Bryan Cox's hit in 01 that was credited with setting the tone for the defense that year.
.

 

[Haley]

Honestly, I think Vince will find a way to support his team mates no matter what they do.

 

[Calciumee]

Oy, Vince. I wouldn't celebrate this too much. How about you tell Merriweather the hit would be perfect if he could aim it about a foot lower and keep his head up?

I wouldn't argue with Big V! Have you seen the size of him?

 

[PatsDeb]

I wouldn't argue with Big V! Have you seen the size of him?

I actually LOVE Big Vince. It cracks me up how huge he is and how fast he moves! I also thought it was touching that he teared up about Moss being traded. Did you see him whooping it up when the Ravens FB got called for the unsportsmanlike in OT? He was giddy because he knew the Pats had forced the chippy Ravens into a huge mistake. You go Vince! (but I still don't think he should be celebrating Merriweather's hit. Heap could have been really hurt on that play. I was shocked that he came back into the game.).

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Hope Vince and the boys find someone else to motivate them in San Diego 'cause Punky Meriweather is getting suspended for that cheap shot.
BTW why do Dale and Holley bother having him on their show?? He giggles like Liberace and brings no indepth analysis on anything. Why is he on??

 

[Grizzafted]

not a sharp thing for a guy who's perceived as somewhat dirty to be saying publicly... this is the kind of thing that will raise a ref's eyebrows and make them pay just a little closer attention to the way you play ball.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Hope Vince and the boys find someone else to motivate them in San Diego 'cause Meriweather is getting suspended for that cheap shot.

And this has been announced where?

 

[reflexblue]

Hope Vince and the boys find someone else to motivate them in San Diego 'cause Punky Meriweather is getting suspended for that cheap shot.
BTW why do Dale and Holley bother having him on their show?? He giggles like Liberace and brings no indepth analysis on anything. Why is he on??

Ive seen worse and no one was suspended, in fact there was one were it wasn't called and there was no fine. So i'd be surprised if he was.

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

I actually LOVE Big Vince. It cracks me up how huge he is and how fast he moves! I also thought it was touching that he teared up about Moss being traded. Did you see him whooping it up when the Ravens FB got called for the unsportsmanlike in OT? He was giddy because he knew the Pats had forced the chippy Ravens into a huge mistake. You go Vince! (but I still don't think he should be celebrating Merriweather's hit. Heap could have been really hurt on that play. I was shocked that he came back into the game.).

Belichick looked upset with Merriweather but I am not sure if it was about the hit or the 15 yards it cost us. I think BB likes players that lay the wood.

Let's not forget, a lot of us have jerseys of one of the greatest hard shot artists in the history of the game (#37, Rodney Harrison) and I used to love watching Doug Plank, Jack Tatum and Chuck Cecil lay people out.

I would rather have Brandon trying to knock people out and send a message for other recievers venturing into our secondary than be worried about pulling up or scaling back his game.

Of course, there is a dangerous downside and football is a violent sport and I am glad the league regulates it so we have no more Stingley-type incidents...

...but you gotta admit, when Brandon laid that wood and you saw Heap's mouthpiece fly out into the air, you liked it! I KNOW I did!

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Ive seen worse and no one was suspended, in fact there was one were it wasn't called and there was no fine. So i'd be surprised if he was.

The NFL does not want head shots. They've made that clear yet the message is not being received. The hits just keep coming and they're getting more and more vicious. Suspending players will get the message across.
Watch it happen.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Belichick looked upset with Merriweather but I am not sure if it was about the hit or the 15 yards it cost us. I think BB likes players that lay the wood.

Let's not forget, a lot of us have jerseys of one of the greatest hard shot artists in the history of the game (#37, Rodney Harrison) and I used to love watching Doug Plank, Jack Tatum and Chuck Cecil lay people out.

I would rather have Brandon trying to knock people out and send a message for other recievers venturing into our secondary than be worried about pulling up or scaling back his game.

Of course, there is a dangerous downside and football is a violent sport and I am glad the league regulates it so we have no more Stingley-type incidents...

...but you gotta admit, when Brandon laid that wood and you saw Heap's mouthpiece fly out into the air, you liked it! I KNOW I did!

Meriweather said this AM that he's been told several times today (I'd imagine by his coaches...) that if he held his position he would have intercepted that ball instead of blowing a third down stop. But he doesn't care. He wouldn't change anything. That's the way he plays. Yeah, stupid...

Jason LaCanfora tweeted that Ray Anderson has stated this AM that the league is prepared to hand out suspensions for helmut to helmut hits, including for players not previously fined for illegal hits... Brandon better hope they mean going forward, or he's toast.

 

[sebman2112]

I'm not a fan of illegal hits, but to be honest I don't think Meriweather intended to hit the much larger Heap helmet to helmet, as he could have very easily injured himself, as well.

I do think Brandon intended to spear Heap, which is illegal, but guess what top level Safety leads with his helmet all the time? Bob Sanders. I'm not saying that means everyone should go in helmet first, but Sanders gets away with it on a weekly basis (when he's healthy), and if people are talking about a suspension for Meriweather, then a number of defenders around the league should get suspended. You don't want to be giving up fifteen yard penalties when you should be off the field, either. So, I'm sure NE's coaching staff will talk with Meriweather, and give him a refresher on what they expect from him. I just hope he keeps laying the wood, as his physicality is something NE sorely needs in the secondary. He just needs to lead with his shoulder.

On a side note, another thing that happens in the trenches a little to often for my taste, is helmet to knee contact by offensive linemen. I've taken a helmet to the knee from guards, and tackles a number of times, and I've suffered my most career threatening injuries from said contact.

 

[Kontradiction]

The defense DID seem to turn it around after that hit and start playing with a lot more intensity. Meriweather was laying the wood all day yesterday. Twice to Heap, once to Mason, and once to Boldin going out of bounds. I think Chung also got in on the act and cleaned Boldin's clock on the goal line. This team is laying the wood and I like it.

 

[Dagg]

I was talking about this topic last night with a friend and also had the same observation as Vince, we did play better after that hit. Do I wanna see people hurt or paralyzed of course not, but its sends a huge message(to NE and Balt), doubt creeps in the Offense and gets us fired up on D.

 

[makoute]

The defense DID seem to turn it around after that hit and start playing with a lot more intensity. Meriweather was laying the wood all day yesterday. Twice to Heap, once to Mason, and once to Boldin going out of bounds. I think Chung also got in on the act and cleaned Boldin's clock on the goal line. This team is laying the wood and I like it.

I was very happy to see the other hits (not including the one where Heap was injured). I think receivers will be a bit more cautious in the future when playing against the Pats, like it used to be.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The defense DID seem to turn it around after that hit and start playing with a lot more intensity. Meriweather was laying the wood all day yesterday. Twice to Heap, once to Mason, and once to Boldin going out of bounds. I think Chung also got in on the act and cleaned Boldin's clock on the goal line. This team is laying the wood and I like it.

They started playing with discipline and quit making stupid mistakes. That penalty wiped out a third down stop. He's lucky his teamates held their ground on that drive thereafter while he sat on the bench... Given his truly foolish attitude again this AM, he basically giggled his way through another interview like the village idiot refusing to take any accountability for his lack of discipline because that's his game and who he is... Bill put him in position to make a pick on that ball, instead he launched and hit a receiver who was already tackled and had missed the ball and cost his team field position if not a turnover. You can hit hard and still play smart, disciplined team football.

 

[Kontradiction]

They started playing with discipline and quit making stupid mistakes. That penalty wiped out a third down stop. He's lucky his teamates held their ground on that drive thereafter while he sat on the bench... Given his truly foolish attitude again this AM, he basically giggled his way through another interview like the village idiot refusing to take any accountability for his lack of discipline because that's his game and who he is... Bill put him in position to make a pick on that ball, instead he launched and hit a receiver who was already tackled and had missed the ball and cost his team field position if not a turnover. You can hit hard and still play smart, disciplined team football.

I addressed this in the other thread. While the hit could have been better, it was also the result of mistiming. When you have a safety who likes to lay the wood, that's going to happen from time to time. And yes, he is lucky that the defense held their own. I was one of the people screaming at the TV yesterday after that. However, Meriweather also broke up what would have been a sure fire TD on the goal line yesterday had it not been for a B.S. penalty. That was a hit that was timed perfectly. It seems Chung took a page from his book toward the end of the game as well when he dislodged a ball right on the goal line.

 

[MassPats38]

The NFL does not want head shots. They've made that clear yet the message is not being received. The hits just keep coming and they're getting more and more vicious. Suspending players will get the message across.
Watch it happen.

Did Eric Smith get suspended after he did the same to Welker in the Jets game? No. It's a fine, not a suspension unless the policy changed since then. That wouldn't really sound like even-handed treatment of infractions without a recent warning from the NFL.