Clayton/Rolle Call On Defenseless Receiver

[Terrellb2007]

Saturday, Rolle was called on a defensive receiver call after giving receiver Clayton a concussion. Rolle contests the call because he feels as though it's football and let them play. When Ray smashed Ocho Cinco across the middle that was football and Ocho Cinco called it a cheap shot while during this call it was helmet to helmet but his helmet flew off[u] only [/u]after he ducked his head into Ray's helmet. Will this be a controversial call as the seasons continue?

[Runnin Raven]

Like I said in another thread, the call needs to be made VERY SPARINGLY. This is football.

[Nobi]

Ray Lewis definitely hit a defenseless receiver. I'm not sure that Rolle did.

[Terrellb2007]

[quote name='Nobi' timestamp='1283181051' post='460389']
Ray Lewis definitely hit a defenseless receiver. I'm not sure that Rolle did.
[/quote]

I mean Chad dropped the ball after that man was in momentum the same as Clayton's situation. Like Rolle said and just like Ray said when you're locked in and you already commit to a tackle, I mean these guys don't have wings on their backs or riding a broom like they're on Harry Potter once they leap or lunge forward there's no coming back.

[Bltravens]

If Rays hit on Austin Collie in the playoffs is a defenseless receiver then so is Rolle's hit on Clayton. Rolles hit was more violent than Rays.

[Gtown Purple]

If rolle doesn't leave his feet the call isn't made. He doesn't have a leg to stand on. The rule says if there is helmet to helmet contact or the defender leaves his feet the penalty is called. Rolle left his feet and hit helmet to helmet could be argued as well.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

honestly its not just defenseless recievers anymore if you go helmet to helmet on anyone and its percived as intentional this year same thing 15 yards from the spot of the foul.

[b]Defenseless [s]Receiver[/s] Anyone Rule:[/b] If you know the "defenseless receiver" rule, then you should have no problem understanding this rule change. The amendment now includes all players, meaning you can't launch yourself into a running back above the shoulders.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='Terrellb2007' timestamp='1283180629' post='460384']
Saturday, Rolle was called on a defensive receiver call after giving receiver Clayton a concussion. Rolle contests the call because he feels as though it's football and let them play. When Ray smashed Ocho Cinco across the middle that was football and Ocho Cinco called it a cheap shot while during this call it was helmet to helmet but his helmet flew off[u] only [/u]after he ducked his head into Ray's helmet. Will this be a controversial call as the seasons continue?
[/quote]
wait.. didn't ocho tell the refs that it WAS a fair shot... I thought I remember something like that happening

[FerrariFan87]

If a receiver touches the ball, exposed or not, and the Defender doesn't lead with his helmet per se, and the contact is pretty much instantaneous with the near-catch, etc. then I don't think you can say that the receiver is "defenseless."

[bce086]

[quote name='Reddawn36' timestamp='1283188353' post='460453']
wait.. didn't ocho tell the refs that it WAS a fair shot... I thought I remember something like that happening
[/quote]

Yep - Chad said it "wasn't a dirty hit" openly to the media. It's funny the bad rep everyone on BR.com loves to give the man...

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1283182664' post='460403']
If Rays hit on Austin Collie in the playoffs is a defenseless receiver then so is Rolle's hit on Clayton. Rolles hit was more violent than Rays.
[/quote]
Ray played the ball 100%

[XxSizzleXx]

I think it deserved the flag, you had Clayton stretching out as far as he could(1 hand nontheless) the man could not of been more stretched out. If he would of came in and laid the boom to his chest I would of loved the hit, but he hit his head which deserves the flag.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='TSizzle00' timestamp='1283198962' post='460560']
Ray played the ball 100%
[/quote]
Ya I know that lol, I was jsut saying if they thought that hit was on a defenseless receiver then they for damn sure are going to call Rolles hit.

[DieHardBMoreFan]

anybody got a video o**** that hit, im curious to dissect it.

i dont get it. It keeps ***'s out "Of" like its a curse word. not sure whats going on here.

[EdReedFTW]

[quote name='DieHardBMoreFan' timestamp='1283200624' post='460579']
anybody got a video o**** that hit, im curious to dissect it.

i dont get it. It keeps ***'s out "Of" like its a curse word. not sure whats going on here.
[/quote]

Apparently it has to do with the profanity filter being a little overzealous. On topic I think the whole "Defenseless receiver" penalties are absolutely ridiculous. I honestly dont see how any Ravens fan can agree with the call against Rolle since questionable calls just like that are normally called against us.

[mhead66]

As long as the penalty is called [b]fairly and consistently[/b] against every team/player that commits it, I don't have a problem with it.

I remember the Darryl Stingley hit. 15 yards is nothing compared to protecting the career + life of a player. Football IS football, but if a player is "defenseless" and a player leaves his feet / launches with his helmet, call it.

In hockey, Goaltenders are protected in the crease, it's called (semi) consistently, and everyone understands and pretty much adheres to the rule.

A great, crunching hit is awesome, but laying out a receiver that's helpless... that's another thing.

Just my $.02

[RavensAllTheWay]

I definitely think if Ray's hit on Chad was called then Rolle's hit on Clayton was rightfully called. Also the thing is, officials have to go by the rules. And by rule, a player who leads with his helmet on a defenseless receiver is a 15 yard penalty, so what's there to argue against?

[JohnJohnson]

When players leave their feet, AND there's borderline helmet to helmet, it's gonna get called. The worst call in my opinion was Ray's hit on Austin Collie in the end zone, which basically handed the Colts an important touchdown. He didn't really leave his feet, and the helmet to helmet was borderline at best. Also, the hit actually dislodged the ball, unlike his hit on Ochocinco and Rolle's hit on Clayton.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='JohnJohnson' timestamp='1283225415' post='460755']
When players leave their feet, AND there's borderline helmet to helmet, it's gonna get called. [B]The worst call in my opinion was Ray's hit on Austin Collie in the end zone[/b], which basically handed the Colts an important touchdown. He didn't really leave his feet, and the helmet to helmet was borderline at best. Also, the hit actually dislodged the ball, unlike his hit on Ochocinco and Rolle's hit on Clayton.
[/quote]
Agreed! I was outraged when that call was made. It was complete BS!!

[Ravnet]

I won't say that I liked the call at all as I hate the idea that wide receivers should just be allowed to have free reign over the field once the ball is in the air, but I do remember that Clayton wasn't even bowing his head into Rolle, and Mark still got hit in the helmet.

[ZIBBY28]

you have to protect players, but I hate the ruling honestly... If Rolle doesn't hit him, Clayton stands a decent chance of catching that ball.. Let the men play. Injuries are part of the game... Nothing against Clayton and I hope the concussion isn't serious, but again, I don't like the ruling. You can't expect a guy coming full speed to stop on a dime and wait and see if the receiver catches the ball... you make the hit, and no defensive player in the NFL would say otherwise

[Greatness]

This is getting ridiculous. Is this football or what? Clayton tried to go for the ball and he paid...plain and simple. They've ruined football and it makes me sick. I have to let a guy catch the ball THEN hit him. That's the most absurd shenanigans I've ever heard. If your QB leaves you out there to dry and you jump in the air, leap, or spin for a ball, you should be able to get dealt with. I'm sad it happened to Clayton because he plays for my Ravens and I don't wanna see anyone get hurt, but this is still football.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Greatness' timestamp='1283238886' post='460793']
This is getting ridiculous. Is this football or what? Clayton tried to go for the ball and he paid...plain and simple. They've ruined football and it makes me sick. I have to let a guy catch the ball THEN hit him. That's the most absurd shenanigans I've ever heard. If your QB leaves you out there to dry and you jump in the air, leap, or spin for a ball, you should be able to get dealt with. I'm sad it happened to Clayton because he plays for my Ravens and I don't wanna see anyone get hurt, but this is still football.
[/quote]
props for saying :absurd shenanigans" lol

[RavensAllTheWay]

All I can say is props to the officials for doing their job and calling a hit that was technically illegal. The refs have to go according to the rule book and not by fans desires or judgment. It's the crappy rulebook that we can't stand.

But I made a thread about how these calls weren't being made nearly as often as I thought they would in preseason. We can only hope things stay that way in the regular season, Rolle's hit was just an exception in that it was called.

[darklight1216]

I guess I'm in the minority here because I support this rule.

[quote]"We would propose language that would say that if a receiver has completed the catch and has not had time to protect himself, a defensive player is prohibited from launching into him in a way that causes the defensive player's helmet, face mask, shoulder or forearm to forcibly strike [b]the receiver's head."[/b][/quote]
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=5005206

I can sympathize with players just wanting to play, but I'm glad that the league is trying to protect them from debilitating brain injuries.

Remember, the rule change protects players [i]heads[/i] (and necks). The rest of them is still fair game... unless my information is outdated and incorrect.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='darklight1216' timestamp='1283298337' post='461195']
I guess I'm in the minority here because I support this rule.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=5005206[/quote]

Exactly. They aren't saying that the receiver can't be hit. Simply, can't be hit in the head. I'm good with that. Look at last years Ray Lewis' hit on Ocho for a BS defenseless receiver call.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='I*Bleed*Purple' timestamp='1283326799' post='461564']
Exactly. They aren't saying that the receiver can't be hit. Simply, can't be hit in the head. I'm good with that. [B]Look at last years Ray Lewis' hit on Ocho for a BS defenseless receiver call.[/b]
[/quote]
Not sure I agree with what you're saying here. It was (maybe) questionable, but the one on Austin Collie in the Colts game was DEFINITELY BS!

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1283344117' post='461616']
Not sure I agree with what you're saying here. It was (maybe) questionable, but the one on Austin Collie in the Colts game was DEFINITELY BS!
[/quote]

Chad was in the air and Ray never left his feet. Ray hit him no higher than the chest. Was definitely a BS call. And yes, the Austin Collie on was also crap!

[Terrellb2007]

[quote name='Reddawn36' timestamp='1283188353' post='460453']
wait.. didn't ocho tell the refs that it WAS a fair shot... I thought I remember something like that happening
[/quote]

No he said on his twitter that he doesn't want to hear about the Ravens and he can't wait to play us because he owe Ray Lewis for the CHEAP SHOT. Carmelo Anthony posted on his account that the Ravens looked good this year and that was his reply.

[stormie]

I support the rule too. Only because I hate seeing injuries. Obviously the penalties are subject to the interpretation and opinons of the refs. But if you launch off the ground at a player with your helmet....well. You know at some point you have to say Yes it's Football and football's tough, but we need to watch out for the players a little don't we?

I keep thinking back to Nascar and the 'rubbin is racing' you hear. Hard hits are expected in the game but come on, launching yourself off the ground and hitting with the helmet.. sometimes it's just over the top, too hard. JMO