Brutal Hit: Trevor Lawrence went to another universe (Update: Al-Shaair suspended 3 games)

SweetT said

Or we can just stop putting all kinda of restrictions, when it comes to tackling a QB. These dudes put their pant legs, one leg at a time, just like everyone else. They have played this game, their entire life, like everyone else. They have the same access to nutrition/weights/performance training/muscle recovery just like everyone else. When you place too many rules for one position, it confuses everyone, including the QB. You can’t give a defender a small strike zone, in game action, at full speed, and not expect this kind of result sometimes. You can’t ingrain a mentality (in a QB), that their actions (sliding/diving/hurdling/etc), will keep them free from big hits, regardless of intent. Once you tip the balance in favor of one side of the ball or position, it’s not football anymore. It’s all just an illusion of fair play and competitive balance. So, if it’s not fair across the board, then make it fair by putting flags on them. That way, everyone knows their place, and everyone has the same competitive edge. If not, then assume the risks. Not saying that the defender was right or wrong, but these things are bound to happen.

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My issue with flags is this. If it’s 3rd and 1 and the Qb runs around the end, all instincts say, blow him up regardless of anything. So a penalty should never be called when it’s an instinct play. Similar to a Wr catching the ball over the middle. The safety needs to blow him up at all costs to keep him from catching it. It’s an instinct play. Now what isn’t an instinct play that a penalty should be called? Qb hits to the head or grabbing the facemask or cutting him too low with intent to injure. Including tacking by falling with your full weight on the Qb trying to drive him into the ground with intent to injure. Hip drop and Horsecollar should only be a penalty if the defenders intent was to injure. In other words, if he could’ve tackled him normally, but chose to horsecolar, or hip drop then that’s intent to injure. Was a penalty deserved on the defender that knocked out Olave? Yes, because he could’ve hit him in the mid section, instead he CHOSE to go for the kill shot. Was a penalty deserved for the Jax Qb? The Qb was trying to get a first, so he ran as far as he could go to get the first secured then he slid. So it was a bang bang play. Should there be a penalty for a Qb sliding and giving himself up? Yes. If the defender has time to react. QBs are taking advantage of being able to get as many yards as possible then slide. The lessons learned, expect to be drilled going over the middle as a WR. And hope that the defender doesn’t go for the kill shot with intent to injure. If you’re a Qb, you better slide early to give the defender a chance to react, or you’re risking a bang bang play, and your career.