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  • September 30, 2008 03:13 PM ET

Eric Smith shouldn't have been suspended for hitting Anquan Boldin

Biakaba:Stay Classy (33-43-0) vs PhillyEagles36 (75-11-4)
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Are we really at this point in the history of the NFL? Haven't there been enough rules to protect the monitary investment, also know as offensive players, on the football field? The hit was violent for sure, but haven't we tied defensive players hands enough?

It's never good to see a player get knocked unconcious and seize up on the field, however, football is a violent game. First, the defenseless receiver rule was instituted. Then, the contact rule within 5 yards after Prince Peyton couldn't move the ball against the Patriots in the '04 AFC Championship game. This has led to ticky tack calls that have cost people games. The illegal contact rule is lame, but the defenseless receiver rule is as bad as Urlacher pushing down the fabulous #18 and getting penalized 15yds.

I understand taht everyone is bigger, stronger, faster etc...but how do you expect a guy that is going full speed and in the process of breaking up a potential TD pass to know that Boldin is going to get hit from behind and propelled face first into his helmet? This isn't the Matrix. Once forward momentum has been established, physics takes over.

Pretty soon safeties will be trying to hold up WR.


Here is how I see it... Football is a violent game but that is why rules are instituted.

A lot of your argument doesn't really have to do with Anquan Boldin or Eric Smith's suspension. The contact rule doesn't really play into this hit considering how far down field the hit took place.

So I am going to focus on the hit... No doubt there should have been a penalty on the hit, checking out the video it is clear the Smith lead with his helmet. This is not allowed and is a penalty.

"but how do you expect a guy that is going full speed and in the process of breaking up a potential TD pass to know that Boldin is going to get hit from behind and propelled face first into his helmet?"

It is illegal to lead with your helmet or hit someone helmet to helmet, Smith clearly did both. It is unfortunate that another Jet player was coming from the other angle and added some to that hit, but regardless it left Boldin unconscious. The NFL has the right and needs to protect their players. It would be a horrible decision to let this play go unpunished.

For proof that Smith lead with his helmet, check out this video.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80b2d727


I saw the play. I'm saying that while I agree with a fine, a suspension is not warranted. Things happen fast on the field. I was bringing up the other points to show how much a defensive players hands are tied on the field as it is. It became a helmet to helmet hit, but if you are diving and leading with a shouler or forearm and the other player is knocked into you at an awkward angle, is helmet to helmet unavoidable? I don't think so.

What you are telling defensive players is, as long as you give the offensive players the benefit of the doubt, you won't be penalized. You see it almost every game now. A guy will break through the line on a blitz and be a half a step away and instead of laying down a solid hit, he lets up and some of the time the QB breaks away and makes a pass.

The game is an offensive league now. It's about big plays. These rules with defensless wideouts and DB's and LB's being told not to hit a guy who is going for a pass over the middle is ludicrous. Offense sells tickets, but big hits sell NFL movies. I've watched hits by Butkus and Tatum and the first thought that crosses my mind is "That would be a fine now."


Why is a suspension not warranted? A fine isn't that big of a deal, whats a better way to enforce a very important rule than making him miss time? A helmet to helmet hit is very dangerous, there is a reason it is against the rules.

Sure things happen fast on the field, I completely understand that but all Smith had to do was to put his arms out in front of him and actually tackle or try to deflect the ball. He should not have tried to lay the huge hit on him helmet first, its too dangerous and there was no need for it.


You mention how defensive players are limited... I don't think that it is too much to ask for a player to not lead with their helmet.

Why would a player lead with his shoulder? That is not how you are taught to tackle and it is not an effective way of tackling either.

Again, you keep mentioning other things that don't have to do with Smith suspensions, just about how limited defense is and how it is an offensive game.

Out of room...


I don't see $50 g's as justified. Eric Smith isn't making gaudy money. He's making around the league minimum, so the fine does effect him more than it would an upper tier player. Things happen. I'm sure he didn't intentionally lead with his helmet to knock himself and another player out.

You are taught to lead with your upper body, but to keep your head up. His head was down, obviously, but that happens. He wasn't trying to spear Boldin. Anquan got knocked into him and that accelerated the force of the hit. Players are taught to go hard. They are taught to play with pride. You can't fault someone for going full speed the whole game. So what if it's late in the game? 35 points is enough to give up in a victory, why allow 42? You don't think they answer to their coaches for the amount of points and yardage they give up? Get real.

The NFL will keep restraining players until defenses are only allowed to play the way they do in the Pro Bowl. Again, going back to my original argument, go back and watch NFL Films and see for yourself how many big hits back in the day would have led to fines and suspensions. The money is on the offensive side of the ball.

Comments (24) Add A Comment

September 30, 2008  03:39 PM ET
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Good luck

September 30, 2008  03:45 PM ET
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You don't honestly believe that hit wasn't intentional, do you? Please. Smith was coming in full blast at head level and he would have decapitated Boldin even if he hadn't been touched by another player. If Smith doesn't have the body control to avoid going helmet to helmet like that, he doesn't belong in the NFL. Defensive players have to know -- come in high, you're asking for a fine or suspension. Oh and by the way, this is nothing like Urlacher's hit on Manning. Apples and oranges.

September 30, 2008  03:47 PM ET
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If Boldin wasn't hit from behind, i don't think it would have even been a helmet to helmet...

September 30, 2008  03:51 PM ET
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I love to see a hard hit but I don't like when players left unconscious.

September 30, 2008  03:53 PM ET
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yeah that was hard to watch, I dont like it when guys are seriously injured. I dont know how dirty it was being that two guys hit him, dont think they could anticipate what would happen.

September 30, 2008  03:57 PM ET
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Sorry, but if he led with his helmet, the suspension is warranted.

September 30, 2008  03:57 PM ET
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QUOTE(#2):
Originally posted 03:45 PM ET  09.30 by Santo Says: Bring Back Chico!

You don't honestly believe that hit wasn't intentional, do you? Please. Smith was coming in full blast at head level and he would have decapitated Boldin even if he hadn't been touched by another player. If Smith doesn't have the body control to avoid going helmet to helmet like that, he doesn't belong in the NFL. Defensive players have to know -- come in high, you're asking for a fine or suspension. Oh and by the way, this is nothing like Urlacher's hit on Manning. Apples and oranges.

Urlacher hitting Manning has every thing to do with this. Defensive players can't go full speed anymore. I agree with rules on spearing and dirty hits, but save the penalties, fines and suspensions for really ugly plays. This isn't flag football.

September 30, 2008  04:01 PM ET
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Really? I'm surprised. A suspension is ok for a guy trying to make a play and being in unfortunate circumstances. Wow.

September 30, 2008  04:12 PM ET
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Im Voting Biakaba <---------------- He Shouldnt of Been Suspended

September 30, 2008  04:21 PM ET
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--> right. Clearly he went at him helmet 1st. The league has cracked down on this stuff, and eric smith should have known better. Your up 20+ and your going to try and kill a guy b/c he's going to make it 14 pt game with 25-40 sec's left in the game. C'mon..

September 30, 2008  04:24 PM ET
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Agree with Dolfan.

September 30, 2008  04:27 PM ET
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QUOTE(#10):
Originally posted 04:21 PM ET  09.30 by Tru-Dolfan 6-4

--> right. Clearly he went at him helmet 1st. The league has cracked down on this stuff, and eric smith should have known better. Your up 20+ and your going to try and kill a guy b/c he's going to make it 14 pt game with 25-40 sec's left in the game. C'mon..

Kind of discredits players that give their all the whole game.

September 30, 2008  04:31 PM ET
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But, I guess we are used to players that stop running their routes when they aren't getting the ball.

September 30, 2008  04:32 PM ET
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Oh, and when a guy is clearly gone on a punt return, the player giving chase should just give up at the 40 and let him waltz in because why would he want to show effort anyway?

September 30, 2008  04:43 PM ET
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You all are giving me a huge headache whether Smith deserved to be suspended or not what happened, happened. It was a sobering moment without a doubt but the fact that this needs to be debated is seriously annoying. Besides let's not forget that although Boldin looked more serious (which he had every reason to after such a hit) let's not forget Smith was knocked unconcious himself.

September 30, 2008  04:46 PM ET
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QUOTE(#15):
Originally posted 04:43 PM ET  09.30 by Real Sports

You all are giving me a huge headache whether Smith deserved to be suspended or not what happened, happened. It was a sobering moment without a doubt but the fact that this needs to be debated is seriously annoying. Besides let's not forget that although Boldin looked more serious (which he had every reason to after such a hit) let's not forget Smith was knocked unconcious himself.

If it's annoying then don't read it. I think it needs to be debated. Defensive players are getting hosed.

September 30, 2008  04:59 PM ET
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When you lead with you helmet, anything that happens after that is on you.

September 30, 2008  05:38 PM ET
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This has been a hot issue for a while now. I'm not going to advocate allowing helmet to helmet contact, but in the middle of an intense, physical game like football, a helmet to helmet hit happens more often than many people care to know about, it's just that they're not always serious injury causers. I say that we let the game continue the way it is, and that instead of suspending a player for one hard hit, institute a three-strike system (1st time warning, 2nd time fine, 3rd time and any after that a short suspension and fine.)

September 30, 2008  06:11 PM ET
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QUOTE(#15):
Originally posted 04:43 PM ET  09.30 by Real Sports

You all are giving me a huge headache whether Smith deserved to be suspended or not what happened, happened. It was a sobering moment without a doubt but the fact that this needs to be debated is seriously annoying. Besides let's not forget that although Boldin looked more serious (which he had every reason to after such a hit) let's not forget Smith was knocked unconcious himself.

I have zero sympathy for a player who knocked himself out in the process of deliberately knocking out another player.

 
September 30, 2008  06:17 PM ET
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QUOTE(#4):
Originally posted 03:51 PM ET  09.30 by Southern Discomfort

I love to see a hard hit but I don't like when players left unconscious.

I feel the same way you do

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