Jerome Bettis on Suggs 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.

Re: Jerome Bettis on Suggs Penalty
 

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.

Re: Jerome Bettis on Suggs Penalty
 

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.

Re: Jerome Bettis on Suggs Penalty
 

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.

Re: Jerome Bettis on Suggs Penalty
 

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...

Re: Jerome Bettis on Suggs Penalty
 

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.

Re: Jerome Bettis on Suggs Penalty
 

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.

Re: Jerome Bettis on Suggs Penalty
 

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?

Re: Jerome Bettis on Suggs Penalty
 

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". :rolleyes:

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.

Re: Jerome Bettis on Suggs Penalty
 

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.