Who is the best defensive player in this picture?

[Rack Em]

Wow...to me this always looked like a clean tackle. Clowney was just under Smith's helmet when he wrapped him up, which is what caused the helmet to launch as he tackled him. I'm probably totally wrong....but I still think the pussification of America continues.

If anything Smith should have been ejected for not strapping on his helmet correctly.

 

[arrowryan]

So this pretty much makes every hard hit illegal now?

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Ejected for what? I thought this was America?!?

 

[NDdomer2]

so if you put your facemask on the football, like we are all taught in grade school, the crown of your helmet is going to be near the head of the ball carrier

 

[BeauBenken]

Not that I agree that the hit should get him ejected, considering it happened in a matter of tenths of a second, but I do understand what they are saying. He dipped his head.

 

[Rack Em]

ACC and Big 12 football next season:

 

[IrishLax]

Not that I agree that the hit should get him ejected, considering it happened in a matter of tenths of a second, but I do understand what they are saying. He dipped his head.

But I fail to see how else he realistically could've tackled him.

 

[arrowryan]

Why not just make it a 15 yard penalty?

 

[NDdomer2]

Why not just make it a 15 yard penalty?

or sit a play like the player who loses there helmet

 

[BeauBenken]

But I fail to see how else he realistically could've tackled him.

Well this is why I wouldn't eject him. It all happened way to fast for this to be some thought out thing by Clowney. Clowney started the play with a lower position than the RB so of course he can't help that his helmet happened to collide with the man's chin.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Well this is why I wouldn't eject him. It all happened way to fast for this to be some thought out thing by Clowney. Clowney started the play with a lower position than the RB so of course he can't help that his helmet happened to collide with the man's chin.

Not to mention Clowney is a full foot taller than Vincent Smith, he can only stay so low

 

[arrowryan]

I doubt it gets called all that much. How many times have any of you seen a play like that happen?

 

[nlroma1o]

You gotta be shyttin me!? What else is he supposed to do there other than stand the guy straight up and go against every natural instinct youve been taught on how to tackle someone.... The Fuuuk are the thinking?

 

[NDdomer2]

Guys like Clowney are going to start picking guys up and body slamming them.

 

[ShawneeIrish]

Im afraid college football is going down the same terrible path as the NFL. The rule about hitting defenseless receivers is the worst rule I have seen in football. This could be worse. They were talking about this on Mike and Mike (not Clowney hit but how they are going to be tossing people this year for leading with head) Golic said he has been told the policy is "when in doubt, throw them out." He then said how it would be a disgrace and mockery of the sport, I completely agree.

 

[IrishLax]

Well this is why I wouldn't eject him. It all happened way to fast for this to be some thought out thing by Clowney. Clowney started the play with a lower position than the RB so of course he can't help that his helmet happened to collide with the man's chin.

Exactly. He starts the play leaning forward and getting his pad level low. And then he is unblocked so he stays low... and then he just form tackles a short Vincent Smith. I just don't realistically see what he could've done differently.

In general, I think the "targeting" rule... or at minimum the ejection part of it... should be limited to defenseless players like pass catchers, punt returners, blind side kills-hot blocks, etc. What you're going to see happen is a bunch of game changing calls (15 yard penalty + ejection) for borderline bang-bang plays that lead to tons of controversy and outrage. It's going to be a disaster.

Here are ACTUAL examples of targeting, IMO:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ac-JYp25Bx0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/q1yurG8JvgA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[woolybug25]

Guys like Clowney are going to start picking guys up and body slamming them.

Then get whistled for Unecessary Roughness.

 

[NDdomer2]

Then get whistled for Unecessary Roughness.

still in the game at least

 

[FearTheBeard]

but I still think the pussification of America continues.

Yeah this is so true. Its complete bullshit. Its football here not ping pong, big hits happen. If youre that worried about it then dont play the game. Everyone knows the risks when they step on the field, ive gotten laid out before on late/dirty hits. Pissed me off but its part of the game sometimes, i cant imagine the outrage at people getting ejected for this type of hit.

 

[GEORGIA DOMER]

sec,sec,sec...

sec,sec,sec...

Guys like Clowney are going to start picking guys up and body slamming them.

Alabama @ Missouri 2012 Football - Bama Player body slams Mizzou Player - YouTube
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0V3QHKnbSUk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[irishroo]

Exactly. He starts the play leaning forward and getting his pad level low. And then he is unblocked so he stays low... and then he just form tackles a short Vincent Smith. I just don't realistically see what he could've done differently.

In general, I think the "targeting" rule... or at minimum the ejection part of it... should be limited to defenseless players like pass catchers, punt returners, blind side kills-hot blocks, etc. What you're going to see happen is a bunch of game changing calls (15 yard penalty + ejection) for borderline bang-bang plays that lead to tons of controversy and outrage. It's going to be a disaster.

Here are ACTUAL examples of targeting, IMO:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ac-JYp25Bx0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/q1yurG8JvgA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Polamolu hit is garbage and should result in an ejection, but the McDonald hit doesn't bother me nearly as much. He's a free safety preparing to try to knock the ball out of the hands of a receiver coming over the middle. The best way to do that is to hit him as hard as you can in the upper body before he gets an opportunity to secure the ball, which is what he was trying to do. Every football coach I've ever had encourages DBs/LBs to do exactly that. It probably should be a 15 yard penalty cause he got too high and hit him in the head, but certainly not ejection-worthy IMO.

 

[NDdomer2]

The Polamolu hit is garbage and should result in an ejection, but the McDonald hit doesn't bother me nearly as much. He's a free safety preparing to try to knock the ball out of the hands of a receiver coming over the middle. The best way to do that is to hit him as hard as you can in the upper body before he gets an opportunity to secure the ball, which is what he was trying to do. Every football coach I've ever had encourages DBs/LBs to do exactly that. It probably should be a 15 yard penalty cause he got too high and hit him in the head, but certainly not ejection-worthy IMO.

I think the big thing with McDonald's hit now is the leaving of the feet or "launching".

Personally I think the hit hurts more when you don't leave your feet as your body is supported by being planted on the ground.

 

[NDdomer2]

does anyone think it's a coincidence that a week after Clowney calls Tahj Boyd (acc best qb) scared of him that the ACC commissioner specificall calls out Clowney's hit (sec vs big10) worthy of ejection?

 

[irishroo]

I think the big thing with McDonald's hit now is the leaving of the feet or "launching".

Personally I think the hit hurts more when you don't leave your feet as your body is supported by being planted on the ground.

They've certainly made that a big issue, I just don't really understand why. In my experience leaving your feet on a hit like that is purely instinctual, not like McDonald is thinking to himself he's gonna jump into the receiver so he can hit him higher.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

They've certainly made that a big issue, I just don't really understand why. In my experience leaving your feet on a hit like that is purely instinctual, not like McDonald is thinking to himself he's gonna jump into the receiver so he can hit him higher.

Physics would agree with you.