Around the NFL week 15

It totally wasn't a legal hit.

It looks as if he is launching himself against a player using the hairline of his helmet. That is against rule 12, section 2, article 8. Plus punters and kickers are considered "defenseless players" at all times following a kick/punt. So that means you can not lead with your helmet against them, unless they are carrying the ball. That is rule 12, section 2, article 9.

Both rules fall under unnecessary roughness and should be a 15 yard penalty, plus the possibility of a fine.

But sometimes its not wise for them to carry the ball.

JR Calls Sean Taylor Killing the Punter - YouTube

The defender squats down, squares the punter up and drills him. No launching what so ever. The punter was trying to tackle the defender. Good clean football to me. But I'm sure the NFL will think differently and fine the guy.

You can't see Gavin's feet in that clip, but the wider shot shows that both his feet leave the ground. How is that not launching?

BTW, according to Chris Mortensen, the hit also cracked a vertebrae in Huber's neck. He is in IR right now.

Illegal hit, no doubt. You don't get your jaw busted on a clean hit. He clearly hit him helmet to chin.

Forget the technicalities. If the league is actually serous about safety...and not just the safety of the all-mighty QBs...then that type of hit cannot be allowed to happen. It's hypocrisy to allow it whether it was technically legal or not.

You can't see Gavin's feet in that clip, but the wider shot shows that both his feet leave the ground. How is that not launching?

I watched the replay and the defender clearly is in textbook position to make a clean block, which he did. Helmets are going to collide simply because of he nature of the sport and that's where the NFL can't seem to get it right. Intent... The defender leads with the shoulder and his helmet got under the chin a bit. That's going to happen but there's no intent. Clean play IMO. Now some of the Merriweather hits? Where he's clearly launching himself and leading with the crown? Different story.

I watched the replay and the defender clearly is in textbook position to make a clean block, which he did. Helmets are going to collide simply because of he nature of the sport and that's where the NFL can't seem to get it right. Intent... The defender leads with the shoulder and his helmet got under the chin a bit. That's going to happen but there's no intent. Clean play IMO. Now some of the Merriweather hits? Where he's clearly launching himself and leading with the crown? Different story.Bold mine.

SF69, does this look like "leads with the shoulder" to you? If so, which shoulder are you saying the steeler led with? LOL.
http://abload.de/img/punter0qpxl.gif

And if that's "under the chin a little bit", good lord we'd need a guillotine for "a lot" wouldn't we?

(Tx to NCSkins for the pic.)

Come on Hailgreen, he led with the shoulder on the crown of his helmet. Duh.

I hope Detroit gets this offense started soon. F Baltimore.

Refs hate detroit more than the skins.