If you are less than 5 yards downfield you can hit a player as long as the hit is legal which it was. Doesn't matter if he is intended reciever or not.

 

Doesn't matter where he's at if he's in a defenseless posture, which in this case, he obviously is. He hadn't assumed a blocking posture, hadn't caught the ball, and wasn't looking. Not to mention, the hit was unnecessary, as the ball was in the air, and Sherman wasn't the intended receiver. Also it looks like the line of scrimmage was roughly the 33 or 34 yard line. The contact occurred at the 39. It may have been just past or right at the 5 yard window.

 

Ultimately, this play at best was borderline illegal, and regardless of the legality, it was still completely unnecessary and unrelated to the play. These are the types of hits that simply don't have a place in the sport. Hitting a guy while he's not looking is not a sign of toughness, and is not a "good, clean play".

Doesn't matter where he's at if he's in a defenseless posture, which in this case, he obviously is. He hadn't assumed a blocking posture, hadn't caught the ball, and wasn't looking. Not to mention, the hit was unnecessary, as the ball was in the air, and Sherman wasn't the intended receiver. Also it looks like the line of scrimmage was roughly the 33 or 34 yard line. The contact occurred at the 39. It may have been just past or right at the 5 yard window.

 

Ultimately, this play at best was borderline illegal, and regardless of the legality, it was still completely unnecessary and unrelated to the play. These are the types of hits that simply don't have a place in the sport. Hitting a guy while he's not looking is not a sign of toughness, and is not a "good, clean play".

 

Do you think Swanson qualified as a defenseless receiver under the rules? Here is a link to the rule itself:

 

Defenseless Player | NFL Football Operations

But if JJ Watt did this and worse week after week after week, JJ Watt would be getting the same treatment. Burfict likes to take cheap shots. The NFL does not want cheap shots being taken on players. Yes, you are right. This particular hit is very borderline on being a cheap shot but when it is a guy who has been scolded repeatedly not to take cheap shots and he does it, then the leash is very short.

 

Exactly

Burfict is a grade A tool bag, and the hit was completely unnecessary. That being said, 5 games is absurd.

 

I'll be shocked if it doesn't get reduced to about 2 games, which seems more appropriate.

 

If Burfict didn't have the history he does, he'd probably not get anything but a small fine. Price you pay for being a dirty player.

He wouldn't even have gotten a fine. There was nothing illegal or dirty about the hit at all.

Then what's the argument? A dirty player makes another dirty play and is suspended. Pretty cut and dry.

Because the only reason he's being suspended is exactly what we all said, it's because it is Burfict. There was nothing wrong with the hit at all. He didn't target, he didn't lower his head into him, he didn't evenmake it a head shot, he put his shoulder into the FB who was running at him. Any other player in the NFL and it wouldn't have even been mentioned.

Based on his past, he doesn't get a break. With that said, this isn't an illegal hit and he shouldn't be suspended for it.

The receiver was looking back towards the quarterback, and did not have a chance to avoid the blow. There was no way the guy could defend himself. Also, the contact was well away from the play, and served zero purpose. And again, you can't use the "head on a swivel" argument. In the NFL rules, It's up to the player initiating the contact to avoid the illegal contact. The play should have drawn a flag.

So I would like for you and Deuce to call out every defensive player this year that touches a receiver that is coming across the middle that doesn't get the ball. Lets see how many times the NFL suspends any player other than Burfict for hitting a player coming across the middle especially when they are in the 5 yard zone where it is legal to hit a player. I'm willing to bet that it doesn't happen this season unless it is head to head hit or targeting. Which Burfict's hit was neither.

For those of you saying that this is a legal hit, in today's NFL, it is not. It was an unnecessary hit on a defenseless receiver. If it's seen, it will be flagged every single time. The only reason it wasn't flagged initially was because it was in the middle of the line and not seen. The 5 games is excessive but that's on his history. He's made his bed.

But if JJ Watt did this and worse week after week after week, JJ Watt would be getting the same treatment. Burfict likes to take cheap shots. The NFL does not want cheap shots being taken on players. Yes, you are right. This particular hit is very borderline on being a cheap shot but when it is a guy who has been scolded repeatedly not to take cheap shots and he does it, then the leash is very short.

Then if you are the NFL and want to keep an eye on his play then you watch the film and you fine and suspend him for any illegal hit he makes. Do that, I won't have a problem with it at all and I doubt many would have a problem with it. But you don't suspend and fine a player that you are monitoring for playing within the rules and isn't making an illegal hit. You just don't do that. For anyone who thinks that was an illegal hit or a defenseless player then they need to read the rules because they have no clue what they are talking about. If that was a defenseless player then I suggest every single running back after getting a handoff should turn around and run backwards because apparently you aren't allowed to hit them because they would then be "A defenseless player" because they can't see the defenders about to hit them.

 

For all those saying it was bush league or illegal hit, I'd love for them to show me in the rules where a receiver isn't allowed to be touched 2 yards off the line of scrimmage.

For those of you saying that this is a legal hit, in today's NFL, it is not. It was an unnecessary hit on a defenseless receiver. If it's seen, it will be flagged every single time. The only reason it wasn't flagged initially was because it was in the middle of the line and not seen. The 5 games is excessive but that's on his history. He's made his bed.

Again, what was illegal about it? He was within 5 yards and it wasn't helmet to helmet and he didn't lead with the crown of his helmet. He hit him with his shoulder.

Because the only reason he's being suspended is exactly what we all said, it's because it is Burfict. There was nothing wrong with the hit at all. He didn't target, he didn't lower his head into him, he didn't evenmake it a head shot, he put his shoulder into the FB who was running at him. Any other player in the NFL and it wouldn't have even been mentioned.

 

Guess what... Don't play dirty and you don't have to worry about this sort of thing. Plenty of hard hitting guys in the NFL that wouldn't have been suspended. You reap what you sow.

Why are you all stuck on five yards? A player can be defenseless regardless of his position on the field.

And even if we agree, you know the NFL is constantly watching his every move. While I don't want him to downshift that motor, he's just got to be a little smarter. And I know it's hard for a guy that goes all out to alter his play.

I won't disagree with you there. But he is the heart and soul of this team when he is playing. We need him out there.

Why are you all stuck on five yards? A player can be defenseless regardless of his position on the field.

Your stuck on his head being turned. Just because your head is turned doesn't mean you're defenseless, especially when the ball isn't coming your way.

Again, what was illegal about it? He was within 5 yards and it wasn't helmet to helmet and he didn't lead with the crown of his helmet. He hit him with his shoulder.

 

If this FB was flaring out for a screen, the LB is going out to cover him and the QB releases the ball, can he go ahead and de-cleat him?