December 18, 201312 yr Question, I assumed you couldn't do this to anyone, is that not the case. In other words if this is a coverage guy (linebacker) and the same block is made wouldn't it still be penalty for contact to the neck or head?
December 18, 201312 yr Show me a football play where contact with the head isn't made. If there was never contact with the head, they wouldn't wear helmets. Oh thats a good one.
December 18, 201312 yr Did you all see the kicker for Ala when he missed the kick vs Auburn, he got laid out and no flag.
December 18, 201312 yr No, them being defenseless simply means you can't contact above the shoulders. That's not what being defenseless means at all... If you can't hit a punter after a kick, how can you allow them make a play on the ball carrier?
December 18, 201312 yr It's cheap because the Steelers did it and I loathe the Steelers. It should've been a penalty. He should get fined. I do not think it was a seek and destroy mission like a lot of hits on kickers and QB's are. I will always loathe the Steelers.
December 18, 201312 yr That's not what being defenseless means at all... If you can't hit a punter after a kick, how can you allow them make a play on the ball carrier? You can hit a punter after a kick. This is what defenseless means.. he still gets defenseless-player protection. You can't hit him in the head or neck, and you can't use the crown or forehead parts of the helmet to the body. Doesn't say you can't hit him at all.
December 18, 201312 yr You can hit a punter after a kick. This is what defenseless means.. Doesn't say you can't hit him at all. Using defenseless is bad terminology, IMO. If a player is running down field attempting to make a tackle, he's not defenseless.
December 18, 201312 yr That's not what being defenseless means at all... If you can't hit a punter after a kick, how can you allow them make a play on the ball carrier? It is exactly what it means in the NFL...
December 18, 201312 yr It is exactly what it means in the NFL... Exactly, all the arguments I've seen say the punter shouldn't be considered defenseless. Cool, they don't like the rule. It doesn't change that the rule is clear.
December 18, 201312 yr It is exactly what it means in the NFL... When it comes to the punter/kicker, it doesn't matter if you hit him in the head or not, since he is considered defenseless. They can throw a flag simply for hitting the kicker during a return. That is the issue I have with the rule. You can't hit the kicker, but he can make the tackle. Pretty backwards if you ask me.
December 18, 201312 yr When it comes to the punter/kicker, it doesn't matter if you hit him in the head or not, since he is considered defenseless. They can throw a flag simply for hitting the kicker during a return. That is the issue I have with the rule. You can't hit the kicker, but he can make the tackle. Pretty backwards if you ask me. No they can't. Where does the rule say that?
December 18, 201312 yr No they can't. Where does the rule say that? This is from 2011, so this may not still be included, but this is where I got that: (6) A kicker/punter during the kick or during the return; NFL Communications - Search Results defenseless player «
December 18, 201312 yr This is from 2011, so this may not still be included, but this is where I got that: (6) A kicker/punter during the kick or during the return; NFL Communications - Search Results defenseless player « From your link.... (b) Prohibited contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture is: (1) Forcibly hitting the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him; and (2) Lowering the head and making forcible contact with the top/crown or forehead/”hairline” parts of the helmet against any part of the defenseless player’s body.
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