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The rule standard is the head or neck area. Surely we aren't arguing that the facemask is not in the head or neck area right?Even in what you posted, Blandino never says there was *any* contact with the neck. Grazed the facemask, yes, but neck, no.
Grazing is not relevant to the NFL rule.
But thats not what he said. I copied and pasted his exact words. He said:He says it was unclear at full speed whether the neck or body was hit and then later says at slow speed you can tell the difference between a neck and body hit, while still giving no answer.
"I think the first problem [was that ] we announced helmet-to-helmet and this is not a helmet-to-helmet hit. That's incorrect.
"When you watch the play, Browner actually does a good job trying to lead with the shoulder and get his head to the side. You can see his head is to the side and he does lead with the shoulder.
"The rule does protect the receiver who is trying to catch a pass; it does protect him from hits with the shoulder and the forearm to the head and neck area. When you watch this replay coming up, you can see there is some initial contact to the facemask ... That's really where the foul is.
"This is close. It's a forcible hit. Is the contact, is that force to the head, or is it to the body? It is a very close play. But it's not a helmet-to-helmet hit and I think that's what confused a lot of people."
He states contact is to the facemask. The uncertainty is where the 'force' is delivered, but the rule does not state that this has anything to do with the rule. In fact it states that it does not matter if the initial point of contact is elsewhere, that a hit to the head or neck area is still a foul.
Again, he clearly stated facemask, and he said that is where the foul is. He does not have to say the contact was with the neck because the facemask is obviously the neck area.If there had been neck contact, he'd have said so.
No he didn't, his first comment was that helmet to helmet was an incorrect call.He carefully sidestepped saying that the call was incorrect, because he can't say that on national television.
He did. He said the call was wrong. He also goes on to say the hit was a foul.You have to be able to read between the lines. He would never, ever publicly admit this was a bad call. This is the closest you'll get from him.
I really think it is perfectly clear. I don't understand what part is vague.I still say the real problem is in the rule book. If this stuff was laid out more clearly, everyone would be on the same page. But the NFL probably prefers this so that they can wiggle out from under bad calls with misinformation and vague rules.