I find this thread interesting (on an off news day). There seem to be two camps. For the most part, we just can't see focusing on the issue of those of the opposing view. That is certainly true for me.
Most of us focus on punishing a bad actor for a low hit. I agree that this activity is being punished by the league much more this year, and this should be the case. Of course, most of the same posters would be appalled if one of our players was fined or considered for suspension for similar actions. For Mangold, it was what is was, the kind of play that was COMMON and ACCEPTED by most last year, or certainly a 2-4 years ago. Of course, the late hit has always been actionable. Curiously, Many here do not want the league to continue on its never-ending campaign to reduce the risks of the game, but that is another discussion.
The rest of us focus on what OUR player could have done and should have done. We focus on the risk that Talib took, the kind of bonehead play that could have cost the game and/or his season (obviously damaging the team's hopes). We have no question but that Belichick and staff will have had discussion with Talib. I expect that the team will have extra discussions on the importance of situational football, with this play as an obvious example.
