Rochesterfan

I have no issue if you want to ban the low hits, but that is not currently the rule. You see defensive players get upended like that in every couple of games - they are still responsible for their momentum. Whether it helps or not is up for debate because it happens infrequently and without that getting called would it happen more? Would defensive players launch themselves more frequently and with more abandon if they were not penalized if the blocker touched them? We won’t know - only that currently it seems to be illegal and is a very infrequent issue.

It does not necessarily mean push, the DE could be rushing and beat him to the outside and the tackle could grab the arm and pull causing him to go into the QBs legs. The DT could bull rush and knock a guard on his back and the guard could pull him down and they collide with the QBs legs and it does not get called. The defining part seems to be the “blocker” creates the momentum that causes the impact. In this case the blocker caused the player to flip, but did not cause the momentum that brought him in contact. The NFL rules as written just do not cover every situation - it would be impossible- therefore there is leeway and guidance that helps the refs make a call.

The rule was written long ago - which is why they create videos to show the refs every off season and throughout the season how they want these called. The NFL rulebook ends up being super complicated because most rules were written and implemented when blocking was blocking not guys flying through and getting upended. They do do not go through and rewrite every rule as things get updated - they amend some, but use more teaching guides to show what they want and do not want. If you go go through the rule book as a lawyer- you will find tons of things that contradict each other or you can argue against, but in the end they want to protect he guy - they are calling that a foul most of the time.

No you were exactly right it is just the reason others are disagreeing- the word blocked is causing issues.

The problem with the “literal” interpretation of an NFL rule book is that we are not always privy to what they show them as specific examples of fouls and not fouls and why they are called that way. I have seen several times them bring in the “rules experts” and they talk about the rules and how the NFL has bunches of videos of acceptable and not acceptable plays to help guide the Refs. This is one that they talk about a couple of times a year and it always revolves around definition and explanation. Technically Milano is not blocked into the QB because the blocking player is moving away from the QB and therefore his contact and movement would not move Milano into the QB. The momentum and speed of Milano is what causes the contact. Yes it would not occur if the guy did not cut him, but the action of the cut is independent of the outcome. Unfortunately as a lawyer- you are looking at it as a hard and fast rule, but the NFL uses previous plays to guide the refs to better understand the current interpretation of the rules and that can be fluid to some degree. They do not want guys lunging wildly or diving over piles and taking out planted QBs - so the rules are interpreted to ensure that is not the case. They place a ton of emphasis on the defensive player being in control of themselves and maintaining body awareness. It sometimes leads to near impossible things that defenders must do, but the QB should be protected as much as possible - just as defenseless receivers should.

I think blocked is the problem people have with this. The correct call was made and that is exactly how it should be called. When they talk talk about being blocked into the QBs legs - they are talking about 2 players engaged with one another and the O-line either driving or forcing the defender into the QBs legs. They are not talking about that type of chip block because the guy blocking is not the pushing or moving him toward the QB. Milano blitzed with recklessness straight at the QB. The RB chipped and caught him low, but it was all of Milano’s momentum that forced the contact. It was not dirty and I would not expect it to be fined other than the standard roughing fine, but it was still the correct call. The defender has some responsibility over keeping themselves in control and in this case he was out of control - got flipped - and tried to continue on - which led to the contact - correct call. It is also a penalty (as was seen and correctly called in another game) if you hit and try to sack the QB and the hit starts around the waist - if you slide down and end up below the knees. Sometimes it sucks, but it makes a big difference when these are called.

I think Kitchens should be one and done, but I think with the easy 2nd half schedule - they are going to end up with 8+ wins and it will seem like they got better late and they will keep him for next year. When they falter again a change will come, but I think they might waste this year and next.

Look - I am not going to try and equate anything we currently see with long term success. You saw some of the traits last year that you are seeing this year from Mayfield, but it was all done under a cover of anonymity. The Browns were coming off a winless season and although very talented they showed very little cohesion. Baker became a de facto on field leader and Greg Williams (uggh) got the team prepared and they won games. The hiring of Kitchens to placate Baker and then the bringing in of offensive and defensive talent ramped up the pressure, but ultimately has lead to the team being a train wreck from a coaching and leadership standpoint. Baker has taken a major step back, but by the end of the season - his numbers will end up fine - they may even win the division and make the playoffs, but right now I doubt it. The issue I would have is the lack of progress shown. He looks less prepared and less able to handle the pressure than he did as a rookie. Allen on the other hand has shown progression and growth and has come a long way to show true leadership under high pressure situations. Baker was significantly better than Allen last year, but has regressed and is now behind Allen. Allen had a long way to go, but has passed Baker at this point and time, but the important question is future development. Can Allen continue to grow and does Baker return to his 2018 form. The future for both players is yet to be written and I am not willing to say one is going to be better based on small snippets of the season.

I think the staff is in way over as over their own heads, but after they struggle in the next 2 games Seahawks/Pats - they have a bunch of games the rest of the season they should be in. I unfortunately think they will still be competing with Baltimore for the division title come the last 2 weeks and I think that will keep the coaching staff safe - even if they should make a change. A bad division will will end up masking a lot of issues later and will actually hurt the Browns long term as they won’t make the needed changes. JMO

I was going to say the same thing - I thought he was about as bad as could be in that game - slow reads - slow throws. I am happy for him, but it only goes as long as the D and the running game takes them.

Considering the FO works hard with their staff to be ready for job offers or promotion- I would be floored if McDermott is not the same. I also think right now - they are focused on game to game study. There will be time to be ready for getting other offers.

When the coach specifically mentions a lack of fight on 2 ints thrown your way - I think that was alarming about his play. Duke (along with others) praised Zay and his helping get Duke prepared and ready to play Sunday. I don’t think there was anything other than play on the field. Zay seems to have bought in to what the team is teaching, but right now physically he just is not doing enough. Mentally he seemed to handle the demotion ok and supported his teammates and really supported Duke before and during the game.

The reality is that the Patriots have made a living off making trades for guys like AJ Green and Trent Williams, but only at their price. They trade for an AJ Green - use him up even more - let him walk for comp picks that replace or improve on what you gave up for him. The Pats though are at a different point in the success curve and can afford that because the core team is so strong. The Bills are not there yet and even comp picks right now do not balance the ask. In a few weeks if AJ Greens asking price drops to a 4th or a 5th then it is right in the Pats wheel house because he will sign a large contract returning a 3rd or 4th down the road.

Guess his key ? will not work Monday morning. Oh well - I feel for him but that is the NFL and he seemed checked out already based on a few press conferences.

Perfect - I am in for someone that can be a part of the team going forward and will not disrupt the chemistry. I want no part of guys like AJ Green or Trent Williams that although they will help this year - they have no long term value to sustainable success. This is where the Sabres were a few years ago and GM Murray started trading assets for short term talent and destroyed both a young, up and coming core and long term depth. Be patient and let them continue to grow.

I don’t think Levi is better than Tre, but the Bills very rarely switch sides - so Tre does not necessarily go up against #1 receivers more than Levi. I think the Bills give Levi more help than Tre and therefore he can make a few more plays, but both have played very well in this system.

The contract was written fine, but the CBA has specific limits when it comes to getting out of guarantees above and beyond the contract. There have been a ton of articles, but it is very likely because of the timing of the cut that even though AB may have invalidated the contract - NE will still have to pay the guaranteed money because of the CBA. Oakland is probably ok because of ABs actions, but NE is going to end up paying him most of the 20 million he was guaranteed.

I think he will I’ll end up getting most of his guaranteed money from NE. I don’t think he will get anything from Oakland as that was prior to the season and he went insane, but NE signed him with that knowledge already in place. i think NE will be on the hook for most of the 20 million guaranteed and I don’t think Kraft will be happy to pay

They named the outhouse after you. ??? ?

No, but you don’t think that has an impact on when guys get tested? Overall the data shows little difference for most players in clearance. The difference seems mostly dictated in when the games are played. The other big difference is the NFL takes players off at a sign of a big hit to the head - getting the player out of the game. The NHL it still seems to be a major emphasis on the player and in some cases it might be shifts or even days after the hit that caused the concussion before the player is diagnosed and I think the NHL misses significantly more concussions than the NFL - so the ones they find are a tad bit worse.

The 2 biggest differences is the schedule and the IR rules. It has little to do with treatment. NFL - the player is on the active roster and the team can let him sit for essentially a week before being in the next game. They cannot use IR to bring additional players in and the missing 1 NFL game is equivalent to missing over 5 NHL games - which for Buffalo Sabres - 5 games missed would mean the next game from last night would be 10/17 - a full 2 weeks after the 1st game. NHL - they have a 7 day IR available- so if they get even a minor concussion they will be placed on that and get replaced by an active player. This allows a minimum of 7 days - plus any additional days before the next game. If a Sabre got concussed last night and went on the 7 day IR - their next game would be 10/14 - 10 days after the concussion - even if he was cleared prior to the 7 days - he would still be missing the days. It is very hard to equate the two sports between the rules and the timing of the games. Looking at it both seem to clear most players in 5-7 days - for the NFL that gets them ready for the next game - In the NHL they miss more games, but a smaller percentage of the season and the individual player is not missed because of the 7 day IR.

They should wait until late in the week - probably Sat because that way the Titans have to prepare as if Josh will clear. If they elevate Webb Tuesday or Wednesday- then the Titans can assume that it will be Webb and Barkley and prepare that way.

HaHaHaHaHa - yeah I could tell from your post all last week you are a big fan.

I don’t disagree with that. I believe that the Redskins planned to try and win this year and the Haskins was not going to do that. I think at this point they were looking at the first 4 games as a barometer and it is obvious they are not good. They need to move to Haskins at some point and I think Gruden would like to get through the NE game - the ownership would like to go faster. I don’t think Gruden survived no matter what - so to me it was stupid to draft a QB and keep the same coaching staff. They should have made the move in the off season before the draft - just to get the familiarity and stability. They will be switching everything this off season- so getting Haskins any time does very little for his future growth.