^UPDATE: Source: NFL fines Brady $10,000 for slide

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by DaaBoTownSox

Eh, I don't know. Haven't watched it a ton of times, but from what I see it looks like he led with his helmet.

I didn't feel it was a fumble either. His calf is down when the ball hits it and comes out. I was very surprised that replay didn't overturn it.

[G-men]

It really doesn't matter and that's the problem with the current helmet to helmet rules. It protects against WR's who get hit in the helmet but it's so hard to enforce on RB's because they lead with their heads so often

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by G-men

It really doesn't matter and that's the problem with the current helmet to helmet rules. It protects against WR's who get hit in the helmet but it's so hard to enforce on RB's because they lead with their heads so often

You're right, and it isn't going to change until the defensive backs or linebackers start being injured by them leading with their helmets.

I thought leading with your helmet was illegal regardless of who is doing it. Isn't that what they used to call "spearing"?

[LMD]

Originally Posted by Jerry

You're right, and it isn't going to change until the defensive backs or linebackers start being injured by them leading with their helmets.

I thought leading with your helmet was illegal regardless of who is doing it. Isn't that what they used to call "spearing"?

The way I understand the really half-assed rule, is that you can lead with your helmet all you want so long as;
1) You don't leave your feet in making the tackle, aka: Launch yourself.
2) The player you're hitting in the head isn't "Defenseless" aka: In the air or just landing.
3) The player you're hitting isn't a money-making QB, aka: Feel free to rape Jake Locker or Blaine Gabbert but don't even think of breathing the wrong way on Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers' helmet.

I don't like the way the rule works, but the Pollard hit is clean from all I can tell. I think Troy and SOS can probably back me up on the fact that I was FURIOUS with the rule last post-season when Pierre Thomas got fucked up on a similar hit. Pretty sure Donte Whitner, the guy who hit Thomas, didn't get fined afterwards (Feel free to fact check that though. I honestly don't remember well enough to make any 100% claims.). I know he definitely didn't get penalized for it in-game though. Its a half-assed rule. There's a lot of guys who can still get hit in the head with no penalty.

For comparison's sake, check out the Pollard hit this year and the Whitner hit last year. Pretty much the same (s)hit.





The NFL really needs to fix the rule. They needed to fix it last year too. But, I have a hard time saying Pollard should be penalized when the precedent is that this shit is kosher. NFL needs to get their act together with the half-assed rules.

[Jerry]

Whitner gets a pass. He's a Buckeye.

[Reg]

Brady was fined the same amount for spikes-up as Frank Gore was fined for wearing his socks too low. I'll leave it at that