Hamlin Ejection

[Irv]

I’m a total Bills fan and homer.  I ask myself how I would feel if Diggs took the same hit Hamlin laid on Meyers?  No. I wouldn’t like it. But what is he supposed to do?  Go for the knees?  No.  Was he able to lower his head into the mid-section?  I don’t know.  On the second half thread there was some disagreement last night.  You can’t just let the receiver go untouched.  Right?  This is football for cripes sake.  
 

I thought Epenesa’s sack was vicious.  Should he have been ejected?  Hard to figure out.  What do you think?

 

Edited December 2, 2022 by Irv

[Buffalo ill]

I think in an effort to prevent concussions (a worthy cause) they will one day convert it into a flag football league.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Honestly, he’s supposed to avoid the contact all together. If you can’t play the ball don’t make contact.

 

There was a play in the Lions game Diggs took a shot to the head late. No call. I was fuming.

[LeGOATski]

This one toes the line. Yeah, technically it's a hit to the head and neck area on a defenseless receiver. 

 

But the hit has to be made. He didn't launch himself and he didn't lower his helmet into the player. It was a textbook shoulder tackle.

 

If he doesn't make that hit, it's a TD.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

3 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

This one toes the line. Yeah, technically it's a hit to the head and neck area on a defenseless receiver. 

 

But the hit has to be made. He didn't launch himself and he didn't lower his helmet into the player. It was a textbook shoulder tackle.

 

If he doesn't make that hit, it's a TD.

I wonder if they could implement an eye for an eye rule. If the defenseless WR hit takes the player out of the game then you’re ejected. But if the player is able to return then you can return.

 

 I think it’ll be fair.

[LeGOATski]

1 minute ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Honestly, he’s supposed to avoid the contact all together. If you can’t play the ball don’t make contact.

 

There was a play in the Lions game Diggs took a shot to the head late. No call. I was fuming.

He didn't play the ball?

 

From what I see, he's looking at the ball and he hits the ball with his arm. Hamlin knocked the ball out.

 

The rule is the rule and it's a penalty by rule. Can't really argue that.

 

Maybe if he had a split second longer he could've gotten lower and it wouldn't look so bad.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Just now, LeGOATski said:

He didn't play the ball?

 

From what I see, he's looking at the ball and he hits the ball with his arm. Hamlin knocked the ball out.

 

The rule is the rule and it's a penalty by rule. Can't really argue that.

 

Maybe if he had a split second longer he could've gotten lower and it wouldn't look so bad.

He definitely played the body.

[LeGOATski]

1 minute ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

I wonder if they could implement an eye for an eye rule. If the defenseless WR hit takes the player out of the game then you’re ejected. But if the player is able to return then you can return.

 

 I think it’ll be fair.

Yeah, maybe. 

 

I don't fault Hamlin, though. He has to make that hit, prevent the TD, and live with the penalty.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

He’s not playing the ball. It’s a shoulder to the body hit the whole way. 

 

 

[Straight Hucklebuck]

If it looks bad they react to the crowd and call it.

 

Simple as that.

 

Hamlin did his job and separated the WR from the ball with the shoulder.

 

Oh well.

[LeGOATski]

Just now, Buffalo_Stampede said:

He definitely played the body.

Whatever that means...

 

He has to tackle the body to make the play in that split second.

 

Sure it be great if he could do a Neo Matrix move and swirl around the body while hitting the football out.

 

It's a penalty you gotta live with, but you can't just let the TD happen.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

2 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Yeah, maybe. 

 

I don't fault Hamlin, though. He has to make that hit, prevent the TD, and live with the penalty.

Definitely has to make the hit. He does a good job of not leading with the head. But it’s still a defenseless WR. He could’ve ended Meyers. 

[NewEra]

Nfl rules consider player safety a higher priority than making a good play.  Hamlin made the perfect play.  Too bad for him that his perfect play isn’t allowed in 2022.  
 

he doesn’t deserve a fine imo

[Irv]

8 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Yeah, maybe. 

 

I don't fault Hamlin, though. He has to make that hit, prevent the TD, and live with the penalty.

I thought the same thing. If that’s a penalty then that’s one that is needed to be taken.  Never want to see a guy hurt.  I get that.  But man. I don’t know.  
 

 

Edited December 2, 2022 by Irv

[Buffalo_Stampede]

5 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Whatever that means...

 

He has to tackle the body to make the play in that split second.

 

Sure it be great if he could do a Neo Matrix move and swirl around the body while hitting the football out.

 

It's a penalty you gotta live with, but you can't just let the TD happen.

It means exactly what you think it means. The NFL wants Hamlin not to attempt the hit because he’s too far away to play the ball. Only play for Hamlin is hit the player to force an incompletion.

 

 

3 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Nfl rules consider player safety a higher priority than making a good play.  Hamlin made the perfect play.  Too bad for him that his perfect play isn’t allowed in 2022.  
 

he doesn’t deserve a fine imo

One thing fans and media don’t understand about the rules is the NFL put these rules into place because ex players were suing the league and media was putting pressure on league for head injuries.

 

It’s actually the players and the media’s fault.

Edited December 2, 2022 by Buffalo_Stampede

[stevestojan]

12 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

I wonder if they could implement an eye for an eye rule. If the defenseless WR hit takes the player out of the game then you’re ejected. But if the player is able to return then you can return.

 

 I think it’ll be fair.

Until a Gregg Williams type coach sends in his practice squad DB to take out Diggs. 

[f0neguy]

If you read the comments posted to that play I found it surprising that so many others say that Buffalo is a “dirty” team.   Am I a homer for not seeing that?

[Buffalo_Stampede]

3 minutes ago, stevestojan said:

Until a Gregg Williams type coach sends in his practice squad DB to take out Diggs. 

He could do that now.

[stevestojan]

1 minute ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

He could do that now.

Yep. You’re right. I withdraw my objection to your idea. 

[frostbitmic]

Even patriots radio disagreed with the ejection saying the penalty was warranted but the ejection wasn't and how pretty soon it'll be flag football.

 

I'd be tempted to listen to those guys again, they were a riot.

 

With 13 minutes to go the patriots sent out the punt team and he goes, they're sending out the white flag.

[Bubba Gump]

31 minutes ago, Irv said:

 

I thought Epenesa’s sack was vicious.  Should he have been ejected?  Hard to figure out.  What do you think?

 

 

I agree. I was holding my breath on the Epenesa sack. Looked like he rag dolled him into the turf. If that wad Brady, AJ would've been arrested.

[MPT]

22 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Honestly, he’s supposed to avoid the contact all together. If you can’t play the ball don’t make contact.

 

There was a play in the Lions game Diggs took a shot to the head late. No call. I was fuming.

 

First of all, "avoid contact all together" is not a tenet any football player should ever operate under while the ball is in play.

 

Secondly, the hit on Diggs you referenced was very different. That defender came in late with plenty of time to pull up. It was an  intentional attempt to injure. Hamlin's hit came while the ball was still in play and, even if he wanted to allow the receiver to catch a TD uncontested (which is ridiculous), he did not have time to avoid contact.

[BFLO]

14 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Nfl rules consider player safety a higher priority than making a good play.  Hamlin made the perfect play.  Too bad for him that his perfect play isn’t allowed in 2022.  
 

he doesn’t deserve a fine imo

NFL doesn't give a rats ass about player safety, this is just about optics. This same hit is perfectly legal if the player has established themselves as a runner. 

 

Are you telling me a helmet to helmet hit is dangerous when the player is catching the ball, but not while running? Come on with this nonsense. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

1 minute ago, MPT said:

 

First of all, "avoid contact all together" is not a tenet any football player should ever operate under while the ball is in play.

 

Secondly, the hit on Diggs you referenced was very different. That defender came in late with plenty of time to pull up. It was an  intentional attempt to injure. Hamlin's hit came while the ball was still in play and, even if he wanted to allow the receiver to catch a TD uncontested (which is ridiculous), he did not have time to avoid contact.

Yeah they were very different plays, the Diggs hit didn’t even get a flag. 
 

The rule wants the player to avoid the contact. It’s an unfair rule for a defensive player. Nothing a player can do. Hamlin played it about as safe as could’ve although breaking the rule.

 

 

[Simon]

1 minute ago, BFLO said:

NFL doesn't give a rats ass about player safety, this is just about optics. This same hit is perfectly legal if the player has established themselves as a runner. 

 

Are you telling me a helmet to helmet hit is dangerous when the player is catching the ball, but not while running? Come on with this nonsense. 

 

You can protect yourself as a ballcarrier; a receiver tracking the ball can't.
It's a penalty because they have to protect guys' heads, but throwing a kid out of a game for that is flat out wrong.

You going to eject a guy in the middle of the AFC championship for playing clean but hard in his own endzone?

[MPT]

11 minutes ago, f0neguy said:

If you read the comments posted to that play I found it surprising that so many others say that Buffalo is a “dirty” team.   Am I a homer for not seeing that?

 

The comments I saw mostly agreed that he couldn't have avoided contact and the receiver ducked into the hit. I'm sure there are differing opinions based on who posted the video.

[boyst]

Just now, Simon said:

 

You can protect yourself as a ballcarrier; a receiver tracking the ball can't.
It's a penalty because they have to protect guys' heads, but throwing a kid out of a game for that is flat out wrong.

You going to eject a guy in the middle of the AFC championship for playing clean but hard in his own endzone?

Exactly. The penalty is to be all that's needed. 

[pennstate10]

2 minutes ago, MPT said:

 

The comments I saw mostly agreed that he couldn't have avoided contact and the receiver ducked into the hit. I'm sure there are differing opinions based on who posted the video.

Copy pasted this from last nights thread. 
 

“Just rewatched the Hamlin hit in end zone. 
 

By rule, the roughness call may be correct. But ejection was a bad call. 
 

Here’s what happens. 
Pat WR catches ball in air, returns to ground. 
Then, he lowers his head, as he is anticipating Hamlin hit. 
So he’s NOT really defenseless. Makes a move to protect himself by getting lower. 
 

Problem was, by getting lower, he ducks his head right into Hamlins shoulder pad. 
 

If he hadn’t ducked, Hamlin shoulder would have hit his chest, not his head. 
 

Hamlin didn’t lead with helmet. 
Hamlin didn’t launch. 
Bad call. “

[NewEra]

12 minutes ago, BFLO said:

NFL doesn't give a rats ass about player safety, this is just about optics. This same hit is perfectly legal if the player has established themselves as a runner. 

 

Are you telling me a helmet to helmet hit is dangerous when the player is catching the ball, but not while running? Come on with this nonsense. 

Not sure what I said to get you so excited.  I’m just stating why it’s a penalty. Whether or not you view this is right or wrong, I don’t really care tbh.  
 

A defenseless receiver is different than a Rb carrying the ball seeing what is coming and is at greater risk.  If the rb is blindsided and destroyed there’s still a chance that there’s a flag for unnecessary roughness. 
 

I give hamlin credit for making a perfectly timed and (very close to) a perfectly positioned hit.  

[Scott7975]

Penalty was correct.  I didnt like the ejection because Hamlin wasnt head hunting.  Not even close to head hunting.  Also dont like, just like most NFL rules, that this call isnt consistent from in the game, across the games, every week.

Edited December 3, 2022 by Scott7975

[BFLO]

11 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

You can protect yourself as a ballcarrier; a receiver tracking the ball can't.
It's a penalty because they have to protect guys' heads, but throwing a kid out of a game for that is flat out wrong.

You going to eject a guy in the middle of the AFC championship for playing clean but hard in his own endzone?

What does the offensive players ease of avoiding a hit like this have to do with it? I'm talking about the instances when a helmet to helmet hit has taken place. As in the times when a runner wasn't able to protect himself.  

 

It's either a helmet to helmet collision or it's not. It doesn't matter if it's during a catch or while a player is a runner. The trauma to the brain is identical. 

 

 

[BananaB]

If the WR doesn’t lower his head Hamlins shoulder most likely hits him right in the numbers. Hard call for the refs but there was only a couple minutes left so who cares. He’ll get fined but it ain’t our money. He keeps playing the way he is the cheques will get bigger for him. 

Edited December 3, 2022 by BananaB

[Saint Doug]

When a receiver attempts to catch a ball, isn’t it the DBs job to hit them so they drop the ball? Hamlin saved a TD right there. Should he have let him complete the catch?

[Simon]

2 minutes ago, BFLO said:

What does the offensive players ease of avoiding a hit like this have to do with it? 

 

 

 

Because the penalty is a hit on a defenseless receiver; that's how the rule is written and enforced

 

3 minutes ago, BFLO said:

It's either a helmet to helmet collision or it's not.

 

It doesn't matter if it's helmet to helmet. It can be forearm to helmet, shoulder to helmet, elbow to helmet, whatever.

[Breakout Squad]

43 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

If it looks bad they react to the crowd and call it.

 

Simple as that.

 

Hamlin did his job and separated the WR from the ball with the shoulder.

 

Oh well.

In fairness to the ref he threw that flag immediately and wasn’t reacting to the home crowd. I understand the penalty even tho it was a solid hit but I cannot understand the ejection. That should be for intentionally dirty plays or fights not a bang bang play. 

27 minutes ago, Bubba Gump said:

 

I agree. I was holding my breath on the Epenesa sack. Looked like he rag dolled him into the turf. If that wad Brady, AJ would've been arrested.

It only looked bad in slo mo to me. Watching live it looked clean and he needed to use that momentum to get Jones down quick. 

[Mr. WEO]

why wasn't that a catch?  I don't understand the catch rule nowadays....

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Honestly, he’s supposed to avoid the contact all together. If you can’t play the ball don’t make contact.

 

There was a play in the Lions game Diggs took a shot to the head late. No call. I was fuming.

It prevented a TD, so I'm not mad about it

[TheBrownBear]

As others have said, I'm okay with the penalty (and ejection I guess) and I'm okay with the hit.  NFL does need to protect these guys from getting their heads knocked off, but Hamlin is just reacting instinctually in the moment to stop a touchdown.  I don't think he's trying to hurt the guy.

[Bookie Man]

Only way really to make a play on the ball without a penalty would be to put his left shoulder pad on the ball as he was securing it. Seems like that world be incredibly difficult going full speed. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

8 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

why wasn't that a catch?  I don't understand the catch rule nowadays....

Same reason he was defenseless.