Some comments on the comments:
1. I read all 8 pages of this thread, since I didn't watch a single second of whatever the NFL puts on that doesn't include the NE Patriots. I was was stuck in the car today and this whole lack of integrity thing concerning the hits on Newton was a big topic.
2. The league has been selectively enforcing its rules since Goodell's been commissioner. In the couple of clips that were put on this thread, I can categorically state that the player in both cases broke not just one cardinal rule, but THREE.
a. first the helmet to helmet was pretty obvious, and given the number of times we've seen flags thrown for merely TOUCHING the opposing QB's helmet, what happened to Newton seemed pretty egregious. That being said, I'd like to see the touching the QB's helmet become limited to the kinds of hits I saw on these clips.
b. Now to the more serious crap. On both occasions the player LAUNCHED himself into Newton, and that is specifically against the rules. THIS infraction should be STRICTLY enforced since it can be just as dangerous to the defender as is it is to the offensive player.
c. Lastly (if that's not enough) on both occasions the defender used the TOP of his helmet as a weapon. Even way back in my day, when you could legally hit a QB within 2 steps AFTER he threw the ball, this kind of hit would have been called an illegal spear. This is ANOTHER call that should be strictly enforced and obviously was not.
3. As to the game, this sounded like just another game like Denver had so many of last season. It was a game that the other team SHOULD have won, and would have if not for some calls, non-calls, gifts from the opponents and lucky bounces. They had like 6 of these last season, maybe more.
4. While I'm not exactly thinking that the games are rigged, the NFL is making it very hard for the public not to think it.
5. As to whether Newton should have been sat down after a hit, I have very mixed thoughts on it. Because one of my nightmares is watching Tom Brady jumping up from a hard hit, and getting benched by an over reactive (or rigged, if that's your thought) official. Again SELECTIVE officiating.
6. BTW- Just from the highlights I've seen, I'm never going to worry about the Panthers because they play a HS offense that is going to get Newton killed before his time (think McNair). Good defenses will always be able to stop this offense in the long run. (think the Tebow Denver offense)
7. Please don't dismiss Semian after what has been reported as a rocky start, in a winning effort. He was playing a good defense, one of the best in the league, and it WAS his first start. He will be better. I don't know what it looked like, but I wouldn't be surprised if what JG gives us on Sunday doesn't look like the same. Reality Check: It is what first time starters USUALLY look like against good defenses.
