I was thinking today, hey, I haven’t heard about any NFL fines on the Pats. The hit on Ward was clearly helmet-2-helmet. I’m pretty sure the very next play, I can’t remember those involved, was helmet-2-helmet also. Bullsh*t

thanks for nothing, czar goodell.

http://twitter.com/NFLCOMMISH

R E T I R E and take your trained chimp, Anderson with you.

From Mike Pereira’s online chat on Fox Sports:

Q: why was the hit on Hines Ward legal?

Mike Pereira: This is very similar to the hit on Austin Collie a week ago.

Hines Ward was contacted first by another defensive player and that propelled him into a second player who did NOT lower his head and hit with the crown of the helmet. That is NOT a foul and should not have been called. And it should not be fined.

There are certain times where contact to the head is going to be unavoidable. This was one.

I usually don’t do stuff like this, but I felt compelled to write the top dog about this absurdity. BTW, the e-mail address is Roger.Goodell2@nfl.net

Dear Mr. Goodell,

Once again, I can’t begin to fathom the logic of the fines being handed out by the NFL on a weekly basis. As you may have guessed, I am a lifelong Steelers fan.

I cannot believe the hypocrisy of fining Lamarr Woodley for the late hit on Tom Brady, yet a helmet to helmet hit on Hines Ward that knocks him out of the game receives no punishment. That hit was not much different than the one you fined James Harrison for when he hit the Cleveland receiver. This is the second week in a row that a Steeler has been on the receiving end of a helmet to helmet hit without so much as a penny being collected.

In my humble opinion, you and your staff are ruining the concept of defense in the NFL. I can understand coming down hard on the flagrant and intentional hits, but accidental contact caused by the speed of the game is something that should be dealt with by the referees on the field, and only when it constitutes a penalty. The decisions of the past few weeks are so puzzling that I’m not sure any fan or player knows what a legal hit is. Listen to Brian Urlacher’s interview after the game last night (the one where he called you a dictator – is that a fineable offense?). If one of the smartest and best middle linebackers in the game is confused, I can’t imagine anyone really knows what the rules are.

Woodley and the Steelers were penalized on the play. End of story. Ben Roethlisberger has been hit much later and much harder a number of times this season without so much as a penalty, let alone a fine. God forbid anyone should graze Brady or Manning on the way past while running at full speed. Then it is a flag fest, and get out your checkbook after the game.

I have been a football fan for most of my 54 years, but I have to say that I won’t be a fan much longer if you continue to destroy the game in the arbitrary and capricious manner you have demonstrated this season.

Sincerely,
xxx xxxx
xxxxxxxx, IL

What happened to intent not mattering? Is it more legal when the “victim” has already been contacted, or does it just cause less brain damage?

I rewatched the hit. It didn’t look as dangerous, but it was helmet to helmet on a defenseless receiver. No form tackle in sight, but a fortuitous hit for the Patriots as the contact caused a dropped pass. The message the league is sending? “Good defense.” Tell that to Ward’s streak… and his brain.

Two years ago Ryan Clark knocked Wes Welker senseless, took him out for the rest of the game and ended his streak too. Only difference was, no fine for Clark.

Pat Chung knocked Ward into James Sanders, more than the other way around, as Sanders’ head gets knocked sideways in the process. He didn’t line him up the way Clark lined up Welker.

FUCK THE PATRIOTS! AND FUCK RODGER GOODELL!!

I dunno. :p

… like Jones has Goodell on his payroll.
Jerry doesn’t want anybody taking 3 superbowls in 6 years unless it’s the Cowgirls.