OT:Gary Brackett fined $35K

[Kontradiction]

So, you don't think it's dirty for a player to hit a guy, helmet to helmet, in the back of his helmet?

To me, that is the definition of dirty. Hitting a guy from behind.. Amato was extremely lucky not to have been severely injured

I'm starting to wonder if some of you watch these videos completely blindfolded. Where are you getting that Brackett hit him in the back of the helmet? Brackett was setting him up for a blindside block on the kick return and was originally poised to hit him in the side of the helmet. Before he had the chance to do that, Amato even turned his head TOWARD Brackett. That hit was decidedly NOT in the back of the helmet, though it was still helmet-to-helmet.

 

[naF staP]

Man, that was a blindside helmet to helmet hit. He very easily could have moved his helmet to the side of the body and made an awesome block. Instead he lead with his helmet. Dude should be gone especially with it being his 3rd time. 35k wasn't enough. He shouldnt be playing in the first playoff game.

 

[GrogansArmy]

Meh. Incidental contact. Happens every week.

Helmet to helmet hit of course and should be fined. But not intentional imo. If you look closely, when Brackett goes in for the hit , he lowers his head to where the titan's player chest is. He aim's for the chest, and unfortunately as it always happens, the other player also lowers his head to protect himself.

Really neither player is at fault. Brackett goes in for the hit, lowering his head to where it would hit the opposing player in the chest, once he lowers his head , he really can't change direction.

Then if you look at it from the Titan's player pov, he sees Brackett coming in for the hit, and he seems to want to curl up into a fetal position. Which of course means lowering his head which in turn makes him get hit in the head.

He shoulda just taken the hit in the chest. But like most people, when you know you're gonna get hit, you want brace yourself. Which in this case means making yourself into a smaller target. And as usually happens , that means lowering your head to protect the front of your body.

Sorry, imo this was a totally unintentional helmet to helmet hit.

 

[Kontradiction]

Meh. Incidental contact. Happens every week.

Helmet to helmet hit of course and should be fined. But not intentional imo. If you look closely, when Brackett goes in for the hit , he lowers his head to where the titan's player chest is. He aim's for the chest, and unfortunately as it always happens, the other player also lowers his head to protect himself.

Really neither player is at fault. Brackett goes in for the hit, lowering his head to where it would hit the opposing player in the chest, once he lowers his head , he really can't change direction.

Then if you look at it from the Titan's player pov, he sees Brackett coming in for the hit, and he seems to want to curl up into a fetal position. Which of course means lowering his head which in turn makes him get hit in the head.

He shoulda just taken the hit in the chest. But like most people, when you know you're gonna get hit, you want brace yourself. Which in this case means making yourself into a smaller target. And as usually happens , that means lowering your head to protect the front of your body.

Sorry, imo this was a totally unintentional helmet to helmet hit.

Most reasonable people, I think, are complaining about the lack of consistency from the commish on this topic.

 

[GrogansArmy]

Most reasonable people, I think, are complaining about the lack of consistency from the commish on this topic.

I'll agree on that. I wish there was consistency in all these stupid flags/fines. But reading this thread seems many responders thought it was a blatant foul, which is what I didn't agree with.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'll agree on that. I wish there was consistency in all these stupid flags/fines. But reading this thread seems many responders thought it was a blatant foul, which is what I didn't agree with.

I don't think it's blatent either. But they've been flagging and fining for helmet-to-helmet hits, which is what that hit was (intentional or not). So, while I don't agree with it, I'm not surprised.

 

[GrogansArmy]

Honestly? I think Mayo's hit was more blatant than this one. I know I'll get ragged on for that, but its true. Mayo didn't care where he hit him long as he hit him, hard. lol

 

[Kontradiction]

Honestly? I think Mayo's hit was more blatant than this one. I know I'll get ragged on for that, but its true. Mayo didn't care where he hit him long as he hit him, hard. lol

Are you talking about the big hit in the Bills game?

 

[GrogansArmy]

Of course lol.

 

[Kontradiction]

Of course lol.

I'd have to see video of that as I don't remember it well enough off the top of my head to diagnose it as "blatent" or "not blatent". I remember seeing it, though, and thinking that it was just a big hit.

 

[GrogansArmy]

Don't get me wrong, I loved the hit, and I loved how hard our guys played and seemed to be all over the place on D. And making sure the receivers did not get comfortable. I think it was the best D we've played in a long time. I just hope we do it again in the playoffs.

 

[GrogansArmy]

I'd have to see video of that as I don't remember it well enough off the top of my head to diagnose it as "blatent" or "not blatent". I remember seeing it, though, and thinking that it was just a big hit.

I don't think Mayo's hit was blatant, but it wasn't like he was holding back either lol. I loved it.

 

[37Harrison]

i dont think it was that bad of a hit. yah leading with the helmet, but to me, it didnt look like he was trying to be dirty

Imagine if that were Brandon Meriweather and not Brackett. If you think the outcome (punishment/fine/perception of the player) wouldn't be different I believe you would be incorrect.

 

[Keegs]

Now i hate the Colts so much if someone who didn't know me heard me ranting and raving, they would think i have serious problems.

But he didn't hit him in the back of his helmet. it was a pretty standard dirty hit.

It was a nasty hit, especially since Bracket seemed to make no effort Not to lead with his helmet, but i don't know what a few of you are seeing.

if it is his 3rd though, maybe he should be suspended? James Harrison would be.

 

[Kontradiction]

Imagine if that were Brandon Meriweather and not Brackett. If you think the outcome (punishment/fine/perception of the player) wouldn't be different I believe you would be incorrect.

The fans of other teams would be screaming for Meriweather to be suspended because the hit was blatent and dirty while Pats fans would be maintaining that it was incidental and Meriweather did nothing wrong.

 

[Uncle Rico]

good analysis of this by the NY Times:

James Harrison's Hit ($75,000 Fine) vs. Gary Brackett's ($35,000 Fine) - NYTimes.com

My take? I don’t think Brackett’s block fits the “in the heat of the battle” designation that one could attach to Harrison’s hit. Brackett’s block also seemed more reckless and dangerous, and certainly worthy of a penalty greater than the fine levied against Harrison. Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said earlier this week that the hit on Amato was “100 percent unnecessary” and one of the most vicious he had ever seen. Amato’s helmet was cracked on the play.

 

[DaBruinz]

Having re-watched the play, I have to correct myself. Brackett's helmet didn't hit the back of Amato's. It hit the side.. It doesn't lessen the severity of the hit. It was clear that Brackett was head hunting..