October 21, 200818 yr No fine. Case closed... :ylsuper: http://blogs.nfl.com/2008/10/21/ward-is-not-a-pansy/
October 21, 200818 yr Troy saw him coming, Benson didn't blind side someone. So the hit is ok if you see it coming?
October 21, 200818 yr Troy saw him coming, Benson didn't blind side someone. They both were smart enough to be looking.
October 21, 200818 yr Vic: "I’ve watched the hit up close and in slow motion several times. I’ve even stopped the action at the point of impact. The block is clearly made with his right shoulder and there are no signs of using the helmet as a weapon. Ward’s feet are on the ground and he is in no way guilty of launching. At first I thought the block might be unnecessary but, on further review, it clearly springs the ball-carrier around the corner and denies Rivers the ability to make the tackle. Dirty? What’s dirty about it? There was no flag thrown. Fine him? They should pin a medal on him. In my time covering this game, I have seen head-hunting defensive backs try to cripple defenseless receivers. I saw Jack Tatum and George Atkinson target Lynn Swann; head-shot him repeatedly and even attack him from behind and karate chop him in the back of the neck. I saw Tatum cripple Daryl Stingley for life in a preseason game. I saw Thom Darden hit a receiver over the middle so hard I thought the guy was dead. I remember seeing Jaguars cornerback Dave Thomas crush Jerry Rice in a preseason game and celebrate as though it was the play that won the Super Bowl. In the preseason? How about the launch job on Anquan Boldin a few weeks ago? Well, finally, a wide receiver has come along who has decided to hit back. Ward is striking a blow for all the defenseless receivers over the years who’ve been targeted by defensive players with an intent to punish. All of a sudden, the hunters have become the hunted. I think everyone in the league is waiting to see what the league does about the Rivers hit. It’s going to define what the game has become and where it’s going." Vic Ketchman
October 21, 200818 yr It would revolutionize the sport if they started fining people for doing things that they're supposed to do.
October 22, 200818 yr I like the Bengals and not the Steelers. I'd rather have a guy like Hines Ward that blocks his rear off instead of a crybaby WR that is a cancer any day of the week!
October 22, 200818 yr I'm not a Steelers fan, but I don't hate them. I don't like Hines Ward and I never have. However, I respect the way he plays the game and there isn't a team (or fan) in the league with any sense that wouldn't want a guy like that on their team. I expected the NFL to hit Ward with a big fine and possibly a suspension...not because I thought the hit was dirty, but simply based on previous fines and suspensions for hits that, IMO, did not warrant the penalty. I'm glad they didn't levy any penalty on Ward and I hope they back off a little on the precedent they've set. It's football people. It's a brutal game. There are going to be big collisions and guys are going to get hurt. If the league is going to try to "protect" players, then they need to do it across the board. If they're so worried about player safety, why are cut blocks still allowed in any form? Or, are they just trying to protect QB's and WR's? If so, just tell us. For the record, I have no problem with the rules that are in place to protect QB's, but I think that's enough. I have no problem with guys getting fined for malicious hits or obvious hits with the crown of the helmet. It seems to me that some guys have been fined simply because their hit resulted in injury. I don't agree with that.
October 23, 200817 yr I would like to say that I loved the hit, but I do hate that Rivers is hurt and won't finish the season...
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