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"Roughing the Passer" Week 12

What constitutes roughing the passer in the NFL these days? Pass rushers have to be cautious about late hits, hits to the quarterback's head, low hits, driving the quarterback to the ground, and now (apparently, as I was unable to find mention of this rule anywhere) leading with the crown of the helmet regardless of target area. Even if all these rules are followed, referees will err on the side of the QB from time to time, especially if the QB in question has beautiful hair.

After the jump, I list all the "roughing the passer" penalties I found in Week 12, and all of the Steelers' such penalties for the season. Some are much more egregious than Harrison's $25000 hit on Fitzpatrick.

Roughing the passer calls and non-calls have always been spotty. After a clean Weeks 1-7, the Steelers have been flagged for roughing the passer 6 times in 5 games. The most troubling thing I found was that Woodley's first roughing the passer call this season resulted in a $12,500 fine. As far as I cared to look, his fine was unique among first offenders.

Thank you NFL for NFL Game Rewind, making it as easy as possible to keep up with my favorite team and also expose your hypocrisy. Readers can view these free clips after clicking OK.

Patriots vs Lions:

Q4(2:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) Sh.Hill pass short right to W.Heller to NE 26 for 13 yards (D.Fletcher) [P.Chung]. PENALTY on NE-P.Chung, Roughing the Passer, 13 yards, enforced at NE 26.

"Helmet to the back of the quarterback" Two minutes left in the game, this penalty meant nothing. It looked like Chung's head was up, but there were no replays.

Bengals vs Jets:

Q3(8:11) (Shotgun) C.Palmer pass incomplete short right to J.Shipley. PENALTY on NYJ-J.Ihedigbo, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at NYJ 30 - No Play.

"Leading with the helmet" This penalty looks exactly like Harrison's Week 12 penalty, so I'm including a clip.

Steelers vs Bills:

Q3(4:49) (Shotgun) R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete short right to D.Nelson [J.Harrison]. Overthrown, receiver in flat at BUF 26. PENALTY on PIT-J.Harrison, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at BUF 20 - No Play.

$25,000.

Panthers vs Browns:

Q1(11:17) (Shotgun) J.Clausen pass short middle to S.Smith to CLV 41 for 15 yards (A.Elam). PENALTY on CLV-S.Rogers, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at CLV 41.

After release, Shaun Rogers reaches out and touches Jimmy Clausen's helmet, looks incidental but knocks Clausen down. He is already getting ready to look away from Clausen when the contact occurs. You can't touch a passer's helmet.

Q1(4:14) (No Huddle) J.Delhomme pass incomplete short right to B.Robiskie [C.Johnson]. PENALTY on CAR-C.Johnson, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at CAR 48 - No Play.

Seems fairly clear, a much more egregious penalty than the one called on Rogers. An arm around Delhomme's head whips him to the ground, immediately after release.

Chiefs vs Seahawks:

Q4(12:39) (Shotgun) M.Hasselbeck pass incomplete short middle to J.Forsett [T.Daniels]. PENALTY on KC-T.Daniels, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at SEA 33 - No Play.

"Unnecessarily extended his arms and shoved the quarterback to the ground." Tough call, release occurs about a step and a half prior to contact.

Rams vs Broncos:

Q4(14:06) S.Bradford pass short middle to B.Gibson to SL 44 for 14 yards (P.Cox). PENALTY on DEN-R.Fields, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at SL 44.

"Helmet to helmet contact..." To the camera's eye, Ronald Fields seems to jerk his head to ram Bradford's chin with the crown of his helmet. The replay doesn't look as bad, but still a good call. Much more egregious than Harrison's hit.

CALLED AGAINST THE STEELERS PRIOR TO WEEK 12

Weeks 1-7:

Found 0 plays matching "roughing the passer"

Week 8, Steelers vs Saints:

(4:24) D.Brees pass short right to D.Henderson ran ob at PIT 35 for 7 yards (B.McFadden) [C.Hampton]. PENALTY on PIT-J.Harrison, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at PIT 35. Pass 6, YAC 1

Fairly late hit. $20,000.

Week 9, Steelers vs Bengals:

(10:06) C.Palmer pass incomplete short left to C.Ochocinco (L.Woodley). PENALTY on PIT-C.Hampton, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at PIT 36 - No Play.

Hampton hits Palmer's thigh. Tough call.

Week 10, Steelers vs Patriots:

(4:31) (Shotgun) T.Brady pass deep left to R.Gronkowski for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on PIT-L.Woodley, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced between downs.

Woodley takes an extra step after release and pushes Brady's back. $12,500. This is also Woodley's first offense. Where are the roughing the passer penalties for the rest of the first offenders?

Week 11, Steelers vs Raiders:

Q4(12:40) J.Campbell pass short right to L.Murphy to OAK 35 for 4 yards (B.McFadden). PENALTY on PIT-L.Woodley, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at OAK 35.

This is definitely a bad call.

Q3(8:22) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short left intended for L.Murphy INTERCEPTED by I.Taylor at OAK 16. I.Taylor for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN NULLIFIED by Penalty. PENALTY on PIT-J.Harrison, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced at OAK 8 - No Play.

"Hit the quarterback and landed with full body weight on top of him."

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