[News] Late For Work 8/24: Why Terrell Suggs' Hit Was Not Illegal Or Cheap

[berad]

Of course it's legal and, in the same situation, I hope Terrell doesn't let up. Aside from potentially tackling the ball-carrier if the QB keeps it, it will inflict some pain and make them think twice about doing it. Football is a game of getting hit and, if Mr. Glass Bradford can't take a legal/clean hit, maybe he isn't cut out for it. For the record, the hit was aimed around his waist and looked to be a form tackle, Bradford jumped away which changed the contact point.

 

Brandon Williams is a beast, that was a wreck of a hit, stixfix

[bioLarzen]

"Rising

LB Arthur Brown: “The third-year linebacker appeared to leap-frog Zach Orr as a No. 2 inside linebacker."

 

That's more than strange, because I've been watching the Ravens broadcast of the game on GamePass, and even our commentating crew (Q and Sandusky) agreed during the game that while they didn't remember calling Brown's name during the game, they recalled calling Orr's several times...

[bioLarzen]

"But I don’t know how Suggs said he could have hit him harder."

 

... and I have the feeling you don't want to learn that, Mr. King

[bioLarzen]

I think there's a more than fair chance Tucker's 48-yard extra point is the furthest ever extra point attempt/made - and also the most yards per point

Edited August 24, 2015 by bioLarzen

[757RavensFan]

"Rising

LB Arthur Brown: “The third-year linebacker appeared to leap-frog Zach Orr as a No. 2 inside linebacker."

 

That's more than strange, because I've been watching the Ravens broadcast of the game on GamePass, and even our commentating crew (Q and Sandusky) agreed during the game that while they didn't remember calling Brown's name during the game, they recalled calling Orr's several times...

 

I seriously think the Ravens are playing Brown more to raise his trade stock. 

[bioLarzen]

I seriously think the Ravens are playing Brown more to raise his trade stock. 

 

Might be.

[stixfix69]

Personally i'm not very thrilled with our depth at ILBer, at this point i wouldn't mind seeing Upshaw getting reps inside...He has the size, and obviously has the ability to stuff the run... Or sign a veteran ILBer who can show more than what the backups have shown so far...

[flacmaster5]

I agree that it wasn't cheap or illegal but you just shouldn't go near Sam Bradford's legs in a preseason game. Just don't.

[EvilWayz]

Suggs is a Vet In this game...The guy knows the rules of the game. He knows what's legal and what's not. Everyone wants the players to play during the preseason games, but wants to limit how hard to play because of preseason. Saying that its a preseason game you didn't have to hit him like that. Miss me with that, Sam Bradford running the read option, it will not be the last time he gets hit.

If you ask me it wasn't that big of hit. Suggs could've hurt him if he wanted too, believe me. I feel like Terrell Suggs let up on the hit. This is the NFL your going to get hit, I don't care how many surgeries you've had. Don't let up Suggs go get 'em. We all know it was a legal hit.

[chrisking22]

"I agree that it wasn't cheap or illegal but you just shouldn't go near Sam Bradford's legs in a preseason game. Just don't."

 

Chip Kelly should be smart and not put Bradford in those read-option situations then.

[The Mom Gene]

I agree that it wasn't cheap or illegal but you just shouldn't go near Sam Bradford's legs in a preseason game. Just don't. Chip Kelly should be smart and not put Bradford in those read-option situations then.

 

He tried to wrap him up....  He grabbed him around the legs.....

 

On another note..  Who is sad we lost Ngata?????  Sorry, I'm goin' with Jernigan....  I like the kid.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/24/lions-unclear-when-haloti-ngata-will-be-ready-to-go/

 

​

[law215]

As far a Authur Brown is concerned, keep in mind D. Smith is north of 31 years old which means they may consider keeping both. I don't think the returner Ravens want is on the roster. Asa and Campanero have struggled with injuries. Camp is too valuable in the slot.

[rmcjacket23]

I seriously think the Ravens are playing Brown more to raise his trade stock. 

In my opinion, "raising" his trade stock would bring him to a capped value of probably a conditional very late round draft pick.

 

I don't think he had any trade value whatsoever prior to this.

[fusuymada]

"Rising

LB Arthur Brown: “The third-year linebacker appeared to leap-frog Zach Orr as a No. 2 inside linebacker."

 

That's more than strange, because I've been watching the Ravens broadcast of the game on GamePass, and even our commentating crew (Q and Sandusky) agreed during the game that while they didn't remember calling Brown's name during the game, they recalled calling Orr's several times...

I have the game DVR'ed and I have GamePass and if you listen past that you will hear Arthur Brown making numerous tackles including a sack.  The announcers said that after Orr made two tackles in a row because they ran to his side.  After than Orr over ran the punt return that they gave up a touchdown on and he then committed another penalty after that.  I don't just listen to what our announcers say as they have an agenda as well.  I prefer to go with what I see and I see what the Ravens see.  Albert McLellan is too slow in coverage and has been eaten up by blockers on the runs.  Brown has had 5 or 6 tackles in each preseason game.  No other linebacker has had as many.  If they want to improve his trade stock they would play him against the scrubs so he would shine, not the 1st string.  They want to see if he can cut it with the big boys.  Go back on GamePass and look and I believe you will see the same thing that I did.

Edited August 24, 2015 by fusuymada

[law215]

The Suggs Hit was perfectly legal. It is not a LB's or any defenders responsibility to protect your QB. If he went High, they would say he's head hunting or stupid for drawing a flag. If he goes low, he's obviously dirty. NFL does not want QBs hit so why run the read option play where it is legal to hit the QB like a runner. When are the other teams going to realize that when you see a Raven on the field, it is a bad Omen to run with the QB?

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

I think Suggs did the right thing and this needs to be addressed in the pre-season so when the regular season begins everyone is clear on what is acceptable and what isn't.

[salamander]

There's a report on NFL website by Blandino, Vice-President of Officiating, explaining that the hit by Suggs was perfectly legal. Furthermore, he said he will make sure that all the refs will be informed to make sure that they do NOT flag a hit such as this in the future. He said that teams who chose to run the read-option have been specifically warned to expect these legal hits, even these low hits, on their QB. Suggs was doing his job to deter the Eagles from running that play and the NFL refs were in the wrong to have thrown the flag per their own VP. As far as I'm concerned, that settles the matter when the VP of NFL Officiating says his own refs absolutely got it wrong to flag Suggs.

Edited August 24, 2015 by salamander

[law215]

I agree that it wasn't cheap or illegal but you just shouldn't go near Sam Bradford's legs in a preseason game. Just don't.

Then Chip should not put his QB at risk in a preseason game. Whether your Bradford, RGIII, KAP, Cam, you do not want to be a QB trying to run the ball against Ravens

[BallSoHard808]

I remember 2013 season when we played the lions and deandre levy tried to sack joe and he put his helmet straight into his knee three or four seconds after he threw it and joe got hurt and the refs called no penalty smh in my opinion Suggs play is clean compared to that. Smh Go Ravens and redeem yourselves again we all believe in you!

[757RavensFan]

I agree that it wasn't cheap or illegal but you just shouldn't go near Sam Bradford's legs in a preseason game. Just don't.

 

So if it was a running back coming off 2 knee surgeries, Suggs shouldn't trying to tackle him around his knees?

It doesn't matter that it's pre-season.

During this play, Bradford is considered a RB. He's open game.

Chip Kelly shouldn't call plays that put his QB at risk, bottom line!

[EdTheMythicalOne]

Suggs hit the QB as a RB on the play like he should have and if you look Suggs actually hits him at the waist, not at the knee. His helmet goes right into Bradford's hips. The wrap up of his arms is around the knees and people, that is just anatomy. Your arms are lower on your body than your head. It isn't like he launched himself helmet first into Bradford's knees. Then I would call that a dirty play.

I mentioned in another thread that MaGee and Toussaint are in a battle for the 3rd RB slot. Since they both aren't really serious running threats (at least haven't shown to be so far) the deciding factor might be special teams. Toussaint had a couple of tackles against the Eagles on the coverage unit. If I am Magee I am trying to tell the coaches I can return kicks because also in another thread I have suggested that Carter won't make the roster and Jackson isn't really showing much and he's had durability issues in the past too. I think they need to look outside of the organization and perhaps some decent options become available after first cuts.

Daniel Brown made a nice play but he will need more opportunities. I think Tom Nelson has had some pretty solid games so far and should be in the mix for the last WR spot. When I was making up a roster I was doing it just to see how the Ravens could stack certain positions. If they want, they can carry 7 WRs. Steve Smith, Perriman, Aiken, Brown, Campanaro (if healthy), then for 6 & 7 you have Waller/Butler/Carter/Nelson/ Daniel Brown. I think Waller makes it and that last spot may come down to WR/ST player and Nelson is a former safety so could be on the coverage unit.

To me Arthur Brown hasn't been tremendously impressive. He's made two flash plays and then disappears. Nobody on defense really looked that good except Melvin. I am surprised Carl Davis didn't get a mention for stock falling as he was non existent in this game. The tight ends as a whole didn't do much. Williams had a couple catches and I think Crockett has one and they were solid plays. I don't think Boyle had any touches.

[The Mom Gene]

There's a report on NFL website by Blandino, Vice-President of Officiating, explaining that the hit by Suggs was perfectly legal. Furthermore, he said he will make sure that all the refs will be informed to make sure that they do NOT flag a hit such as this in the future. He said that teams who chose to run the read-option have been specifically warned to expect these legal hits, even these low hits, on their QB. Suggs was doing his job to deter the Eagles from running that play and the NFL refs were in the wrong to have thrown the flag per their own VP.

 

Jim Harbaugh made the same complaint in 2012 with Kaepernick....  he lost the argument.

If the NFC wants to rely on the read-option, then they need to look at guys like Russell Wilson, and take a lesson.  Otherwise, you're gonna have your guys pounded...  like Vick, RGIII, Bradford, and the list goes on.

[bioLarzen]

Jim Harbaugh made the same complaint in 2012 with Kaepernick....  he lost the argument.

 

Might be one of the reasons Blandino and his team released the explaining video in 2013.

[The Mom Gene]

Might be one of the reasons Blandino and his team released the explaining video in 2013.

 

Absolutely.  Wilson....  The only REAL successful Read-Option QB right now...  You might say that Kaepernick is too....  and I could understand that too, but he has reverted to more of a pocket guy.

[bioLarzen]

What seems to be a quite extraordinary development is how suddenly, with only a caouple of injures our O has the promise of becoming a very efficient and good offense (if injuries heal in time) but also to be a very low-efficiency one, maybe one of the least efficient Ravens O's ever (if they don't). 

 

Here's why I think so:

for pass plays, Flacco's favouriote weapons have always been either the deep passes for burners like Torres or Jacoby, or the mid-range passes to the middle to the reliable catching TE's like Pitta or Owen Daniels. Now, we don't have any of the afore mentioned four players - all gone. We hagve Perriman to replace Torrey and/or Jacoby - but he's injured, we don't know when he comes back, and builds the required chemistry with Flacco to be a consistent deep threat. Also, our "most experienced" TE is Gillmore, who might become a great successor of Pitta - but it's his sophomore season, so he's not yet to be compared to either Pitta or Owen Daniels.

 

For run plays, we have Forsett. That's good - provided the O-line is there to open holes and establish routes for him, and he has a potent backup to give him enough rest. And what injuries are the most recent additions? A bunch of O-line guys and his prime backup...

 

So, right now the only position where we have our intended starting player and a proper backup is at QB. If Perriman can't come back and build the proper chemistry with Flacco soon enough, we will have to make do without one of Flacco's most valuable assets: the deep rainbow passes. He attempted one such pass during the two pre-season games - the result: an interception. And an O without Flacco's trademark rainbows will be anything but fully operational. Right now we simply don't have anybody to replace Torrey and Jacoby. And as for the run game, things don't look much brighter, even if Forsett can stay healthy and can copy his 2014 performance. Sorry, but Buck Allen didn't convince me with his two pre-season game performances that he could be a quality backup. And Toussaint and Magee are probably down there in the depth chart for a reason.

 

And just to make it worse, we "offically" don't have a quality punt/kick returner either. No one they tried seems to offer a real hope to be a prolific returner. Jacoby might have been a mediocre pass catcher, but he meant about one less 1st down to make every time he returned the ball. The guys we have now won't.

 

So, an awfully lot depends on whether or not our key offensive in injuries can come back in time (looks less and less likely - Perriman is now almost evidently behind schedule for a timely return). If Perriman, Taliaferro and at least some of our O-line depth can't make it in time, I expect a serious decline for the O. Not because I don't trust Trestman or Flacco - or any other player, but simply because we'll miss too many key pieces. Without a real and consistent deep threat, an experienced TE, a proper depth of the O-line and a more or less serviceable backup RB it's gonna be the Defense to carry us forth, once again.

 

(And oh, it's not just venting frustration, in case you wonder ;D I've got enough things in my own life to be frustrated about, I don't need outside source for frustration )

[bioLarzen]

Absolutely.  Wilson....  The only REAL successful Read-Option QB right now...  You might say that Kaepernick is too....  and I could understand that too, but he has reverted to more of a pocket guy.

 

I guess the "renerssaince" of the read-option was purposedly a short-time experiment. Cocaches knew all too well that it would lead to increasingly tough hits on the QB - exactly like it then happened. And that's a no-no. You don't risk your franchise QB more than you have to. It was good to be able to utilize the fresh QB's right away - the read option was something the good rookie QB's like Kaeprenick, Wilson, Geno stc. already knew, so they had something to fall back on (beyond the turf, of course ). 

 

So, the read-option was kinda like the wildcat: with the proper players it's good and serviceable while it's "new" and the NFL D's don't prepare for it. Once the start to do so, it's best to forget about it. Way too risky.

Edited August 24, 2015 by bioLarzen

[The Mom Gene]

I guess the "renerssaince" of the read-option was purposedly a short-time experiment. Cocaches knew all too well that it would lead to increasingly tough hits on the QB - exactly like it then happened. And that's a no-no. You don't risk your franchise QB more than you have to. It was good to be able to utilize the fresh QB's right away - the read option was something the good rookie QB's like Kaeprenick, Wilson, Geno stc. already knew, so they had something to fall back on (beyond the turf, of course ). 

 

So, the read-option was kinda like the wildcat: with the proper players it's good and serviceable while it's "new" and the NFL D's don't prepare for it. Once the start to do so, it's best to forget about it. Way too risky.

 

 

[PersianRaven]

maaaan, you have to feel for Pouncey! Homie can't catch a damn break. I hope he recovers soon and can come back this season.

[balfan23]

No point messing with the narrative put forth by the NFL and media that Suggs is a dirty player and that the Ravens are a bunch of thugs. It has already been bought into and there is no changing it.

 

Good though to hear Schlereth's comment on the game being played at full speed and not slow-motion, as we see on replays. As I see it, he went for the waist and Bradford back pedaled and Suggs had to take him down by his legs.

[ksk316]

I am going to remove my purple shades on this and say this from a neutral perspective.

Though legal, considering it's preseason and the respect you need to have for other players' health what Suggs did was asking for trouble. The guy was just coming out a knee injury and you go low on him in a preseason game? If it was my QB, I would be furious.

We really need a wide receiver. Aiken is OK but he's only starting because there is no other talent on the team. I think we are in real trouble this year if Perriman isn't back. We desperately need a speedster.