James Harrison

[skinster]

I think this is going to be one of the funniest years ever in terms of irony for the nfl. The league is fining the wazoo out of this guy, making him the poster child for what type of players, or playing style, they don't want in the league. But look at his numbers, he is without a doubt a lock for defensive mvp of the year. Right now with 5 games left, Harrison is third in sacks with 10, he has at least 20 more tackles than everybody in the league who has more than half the amount of sacks he has, he is the only player with multiple ints that more than half the amount of sacks he has, he has the second most passes defensed in the league out of all pass rushers with 6, and he has 6 forced fumbles which is second in the league behind osi umenyiora. If he produced half the amount he has so far the rest of the year, he would still get defensive mvp. The league is gonna hate having to award this guy after they are trying to make an example out of him.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

I still can't get over the fact that Andre Johnson walked away from Sunday's game with only a $25,000 fine and I firmly believe it had everything to do with the fact that Texans play the eagles tonight on the league's flagship station.

And yes, this is a banner year for irony in the NFL. Starting mid-season you fine guys like crazy for hits that, while illegal, happen in the context of the game, but you basically slap Johnson and Finnegan on the wrist for an out and out fist fight on the field. On top of all that you say that the increased fines are an attempt to make the game safer for players but then you start pushing an 18 game season down everyone' throats. Seriously, Goodell is a total idiot IMO.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

I still can't get over the fact that Andre Johnson walked away from Sunday's game with only a $25,000 fine and I firmly believe it had everything to do with the fact that Texans play the eagles tonight on the league's flagship station.

And yes, this is a banner year for irony in the NFL. Starting mid-season you fine guys like crazy for hits that, while illegal, happen in the context of the game, but you basically slap Johnson and Finnegan on the wrist for an out and out fist fight on the field. On top of all that you say that the increased fines are an attempt to make the game safer for players but then you start pushing an 18 game season down everyone' throats. Seriously, Goodell is a total idiot IMO.

No way would the NFL suspend Johnson cause he was going to be playing on the NFL Network game tonight. He was trying to do some serious damage with those punches. You're correct. Goodell is a idiot.

[skinsfan69]

Feel bad for Harrison. He's simply a monster in the Pitt 3-4. The hit on Fitzpatrick was perfectly legal. As Troy P. said Roger Goodell has too much power. There needs to be some type of group formed of ex players, and that group should be able to have input on fines and so forth. The refs and the league office are out of control.

[SolidSnake84]

Yes. I agree with everything above. there needs to be some organization formed that can over-rule a referee's fining decision in cases like this. Goodell has to be stopped

[DCtoAZ]

he's on my fantasy team .. and i love him

[GhettoDogAllStars]

They just need to make it objective, IMO. A hit to a QBs head is always the same fine and/or suspension. A hit to a WRs head is always the same fine/suspension. Maybe it's the same as for QBs, maybe not, but whatever the rules are they can't be subjective.

So, just make a list of all the illegal hits/behavior and come up with fines and suspensions for each offense. Then, changes can be voted for each year. Simple.

[hooskins]

Problem is they dont have set tiers of offenses and fines. They need that, and clear language defining offenses and tiers of punishments. Obviously there will be exceptions here and there but it needs to be standardized.

Goodell probably gets off to having the power to levy variable fines.

[MTK]

I really don't have much pity for Harrison. Fact is he's led with his helmet on several hits. Intentional or not, he needs to change his technique.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I really don't have much pity for Harrison. Fact is he's led with his helmet on several hits. Intentional or not, he needs to change his technique.

It's pretty hard to hit a QB square w/out putting your helmet on the guy. His facemask went into his chest where the QB already has protection. Totally ridiculous. RB's lower their heads to finish off runs and they don't flagged.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

It's pretty hard to hit a QB square w/out putting your helmet on the guy. His facemask went into his chest where the QB already has protection. Totally ridiculous. RB's lower their heads to finish off runs and they don't flagged.

Actually it's not that hard at all, it's called tackling 101. Lead with the shoulder and keep your head out if the way. Incidental contact is going to happen from time to time, but Harrison clearly has poor technique.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Actually it's not that hard at all, it's called tackling 101. Lead with the shoulder and keep your head out if the way. Incidental contact is going to happen from time to time, but Harrison clearly has poor technique.

I feel bad for any player who gets flagged for a perfectly legal, textbook hit, but in the case of Harrison, most of his hits are dirty anyway and he doesn't always get called for them.

The game would be safer without James Harrison. Great defensive player. Seems like a good guy. But he's a dirty player and Steelers fans who think he's getting fined for the equivalent of shutting his car door too hard are mindless homers.

All the evidence suggests that the NFL can improve head safety over something like a five year period doing exactly what they are. I mean, how often do you see a personal foul -- late hit called compared to just five years ago? They don't need to over-enforce it anymore because defensive players understand what a late hit is, even if it's not very well defined by the NFL rulebook. They know it's a 15 yard flag, so they don't do it.

[KLHJ2]

Johnson was physically instigated by Finnegan. Finnegan kept jamming Johnson in the facemask. Hands to the face is illegal and did not get called on Finnegan the entire game. There was not and should not have been a suspension on Johnson.

NFL Videos: Sound FX: In Andre Johnson's corner


Seymore on the other hand just staight bitch slapped Rothlisberger without physical instigation, a suspension was warranted. My point being that if someone gets physical with you then you have a right to get physical back.

[MTK]

Other guys have changed up their technique, for whatever reason Harrison refuses to, so the fines will continue and he's eventually going to get suspended.

[hooskins]

Gtripp you dont think Finnegan(sp) or Seymour deserved more than a slap on the wrist? Everything is relative, and Harrison's just doesn't compare for me.

Sure his technique could not be the best, but he is trying to play the game. All the others are extracurricular and are not part of the game. What this does is basically equate open fighting and attacking to playing NFL football.