Gronkowski Likely Facing Penalty From NFL After Hit On Sunday

[Joker]

Not really. There's specific rules, fines and punishments for certain infractions. Late hits are covered under those rules.

Running a scheme (in the League's eyes) to deflate footballs does not.

NFL Rules & Regulations on How Game Balls Are Handled


Rule 2, Section 2 of the Rule Book addressed the preparation that goes into getting the game balls ready. This is a process that includes the teams providing their own balls and the refs checking and marking them.

Each team will make 12 primary balls available for testing by the Referee two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game to meet League requirements. The home team will also make 12 backup balls available for testing in all stadiums. In addition, the visitors, at their discretion, may bring 12 backup balls to be tested by the Referee for games held in outdoor stadiums. For all games, eight new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer to the Referee, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game.

These balls are to be specially marked by the Referee and used exclusively for the kicking game.

In the event a home team ball does not conform to specifications, or its supply is exhausted, the Referee shall secure a proper ball from the visitors and, failing that, use the best available ball. Any such circumstances must be reported to the Commissioner.

In case of rain or a wet, muddy, or slippery field, a playable ball shall be used at the request of the offensive team’s center.

The Game Clock shall not stop for such action (unless undue delay occurs).

Note: It is the responsibility of the home team to furnish playable balls at all times by attendants from either side of the playing field.

Since the Patriots were using their own 12 balls, and the Colts were using their own 12 balls, the only time the Colts possessed a Patriots ball was on Tom Brady’s only interception of the game.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

I don't really see anyone defending him, just disagreements whether fine or suspension.

If you look up in the thread, we've got some guys supporting Gronk trying to injure the guy. We've also got people trying to say his cheap shot was no big deal and doesn't deserve any penalty/suspension. Most people on here are reasonable, but there are plenty of ball washers who would have us cosplay as a team of Suhs jumping at Rapeburgers knees if it meant a cakewalk to the Super Bowl.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

Not really. There's specific rules, fines and punishments for certain infractions. Late hits are covered under those rules.

Running a scheme (in the League's eyes) to deflate footballs does not.

You disagreed with my earlier post about the team imposing discipline on Gronk if the league doesn't for today's late hit. What is your rationale for wanting Gronk to go unpunished for an obviously late hit designed to harm the other player?

 

[RobertWeathers]

If you look up in the thread, we've got some guys supporting Gronk trying to injure the guy. We've also got people trying to say his cheap shot was no big deal and doesn't deserve any penalty/suspension. Most people on here are reasonable, but there are plenty of ball washers who would have us cosplay as a team of Suhs jumping at Rapeburgers knees if it meant a cakewalk to the Super Bowl.

Look. What Gronk did was a no-no. I think there is universal agreement on that.

As I see it the questions are.

Should BB do suspend him?

Should the league suspend him?

Based on track record ...No.

 

[archstanton543]

A dumb game from Gronk. If the league doesn't suspend him for a game, bench his ass as a nod that the Patriots don't endorse dirty play.

Actually, it was a brilliant game from Gronk marred by his dumb hit.

 

[Jackson 2]

Typical Steelers trash

LOL..."Busch'" league...

 

[MainePatsFan26]

Alonso knocked Flacco out out of the game and gave him a concussion. Wasn't suspended.

So we're going to play a game of deflection rather than hold our guys accountable? As fans we've faced years of witchhunts. Part of those witchhunts coming to pass had to do with having a bullseye on our back after years of winning and jealous owners pressuring Goodell. However, if we let these type of situations pass without setting a tone of professionalism and good sportsmanship, wouldn't we just be giving the haters more ammunition that they were right all along?

 

[Mack Herron]

 

[archstanton543]

NFL Rules & Regulations on How Game Balls Are Handled


Rule 2, Section 2 of the Rule Book addressed the preparation that goes into getting the game balls ready. This is a process that includes the teams providing their own balls and the refs checking and marking them.

Each team will make 12 primary balls available for testing by the Referee two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game to meet League requirements. The home team will also make 12 backup balls available for testing in all stadiums. In addition, the visitors, at their discretion, may bring 12 backup balls to be tested by the Referee for games held in outdoor stadiums. For all games, eight new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer to the Referee, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours and 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the game.

These balls are to be specially marked by the Referee and used exclusively for the kicking game.

In the event a home team ball does not conform to specifications, or its supply is exhausted, the Referee shall secure a proper ball from the visitors and, failing that, use the best available ball. Any such circumstances must be reported to the Commissioner.

In case of rain or a wet, muddy, or slippery field, a playable ball shall be used at the request of the offensive team’s center.

The Game Clock shall not stop for such action (unless undue delay occurs).

Note: It is the responsibility of the home team to furnish playable balls at all times by attendants from either side of the playing field.

Since the Patriots were using their own 12 balls, and the Colts were using their own 12 balls, the only time the Colts possessed a Patriots ball was on Tom Brady’s only interception of the game.

That's nice. Then why was Brady punished under Article 46?

Also, bolding all your text doesn't make you more right.

 

[TommyD4207]

Mike Evans got a game for a late hit this season.

Mike Evans charged across the field and tried to kill a guy who was chirping with Jameis Winston. It's a little different. It was a late hit like, 2 minutes late.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

Actually, it was a brilliant game from Gronk marred by his dumb hit.

He made great plays. Yee haw - I was enjoying his performance too. He also got penalized regularly and got in a cheap shot that opens the team up to cheap hits from other teams.

The reason the Patriots outperform other teams is because they value the intangibles alongside the statlines. With Belichick stating the play was "bullsh*t" as he met with
Sean McDermott midfield, I suspect Gronk might find his time nearing an end with the Patriots. No matter how talented someone is, Belichick has a track record of not putting up with selfish garbage because it can poison the whole locker room. Why should Gronk get away with penalties and undisciplined play when the rest of the roster is held to a higher standard?

 

[archstanton543]

I suspect Gronk might find his time nearing an end with the Patriots.

Do you? I'll bet you $20 to the charity of your choice he's not going anywhere in the next two years. Meaning that if he gets cut due to disciplinary reasons in that time frame, you win. If not, I win.

 

[Joker]

That's nice. Then why was Brady punished under Article 46?

Also, bolding all your text doesn't make you more right.

Article 46 was the culmination of the federal appeal ruling that overturned the "air pressure" ruling that was initially thrown out by Berman. I'm not going to rehash what should be known by heart. Article 46 means that Goodell can say whatever he wants and dole out any punishment he wants for anything he deems applicable to HIS sense of "integrity.This is why I will not buy into any resolution of this incident this coming week because in Goodell World, it is NOT final. Only Goodell decisions are final.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

Do you? I'll bet you $20 to the charity of your choice he's not going anywhere in the next two years. Meaning that if he gets cut due to disciplinary reasons in that time frame, you win. If not, I win.

With his current contract, he's got good odds of sticking around. But how can you possibly ignore Belichick's history of dumping discipline problems. One or two more gaffes like this from Gronk, he's gone. I suspect you're more interested in stroking Gronk's ego than worrying about what's good for the Patriots.

 

[AtomicDawg]

With his current contract, he's got good odds of sticking around. But how can you possibly ignore Belichick's history of dumping discipline problems. One or two more gaffes like this from Gronk, he's gone. I suspect you're more interested in stroking Gronk's ego than worrying about what's good for the Patriots.

What makes you think he will do it again when this is the first time in 7 YEARS that he has done anything remotely close to this? Perhaps you are pushing him out before it's his time to go.

 

[mosslost]

I hope it’s the Pats who bench him and not the league. Just a quarter or half.

 

[archstanton543]

With his current contract, he's got good odds of sticking around. But how can you possibly ignore Belichick's history of dumping discipline problems. One or two more gaffes like this from Gronk, he's gone. I suspect you're more interested in stroking Gronk's ego than worrying about what's good for the Patriots.

Gronk doesn't have disciplinary problems, though. This is his first major infraction in his time here. Even counting his throwing that one guy "out the club".

 

[Joker]

seems besides a horde of lawyers on our board, we have a certain amount of clergy too. The moral equivocating going on is papal.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

What makes you think he will do it again when this is the first time in 7 YEARS that he has done anything remotely close to this? Perhaps you are pushing him out before it's his time to go.

Perhaps I am trying to push him out too soon. From my perspective, I think a suspension this time of year would help Gronk to remember to stay disciplined. Beyond the hit, all the offsides penalties today would suggest he was off mentally today. If he doesn't get any discipline for the play, what message does that send to him?

 

[lancerman]

He's getting a suspension. 99% of these things are based off public reaction. It was after the play and he likely gave the player a concussion. If Gronk didn't do that, he could have left the game and *****ed to high heaven about the refs and made a big stink about it so that it would get some coverage and maybe they lay off of him a bit. Instead he turned himself into a public enemy for everyone else and probably became a target in the next Bills game (thank god it's in Gillette).

Gronk was wrong. Based off his history it should just be a fine. But the outcry and the optics of it (after the play, injured the player) is going to bump it up. Best case scenario is he apologizes in an appeal and they bring it down to a fine.