Jame Harrison

[ANYFISH2]

Alright TR21HP, couriosity has gotten the best of me. Who did you play for? Care to lift your anonimity?

[TR21HP]

Sure anyfish2,

I was a halfback with the Chargers from 76-81. An occasional callup to the team but mainly was stuck on the then called taxi squad. Played behind Ricky Young and Chuck Muncie. Mostly ran scout team. Had a preaseason game against the 49ers in 1981 and had a collision with Lott that ended my career. Just too many concussions. Too bad because I watched the Chargers do real well that year, 10-6 record, AFC west champs and lost to the Bengals in the AFC Championship. Kind of paying the price for it now but wouldn't have changed a thing.

[greebs]

I wonder how guys like Harrison even practice. It's not like the team is going to allow him to practice those head shots on their own team members and doubt he practices them against a stationary tacking dummy. must be a case where it's just mainly conditioning that they work on and tell him no hitting teammates.

[ANYFISH2]

Thanks TR! Thanks you clearly have credible insite compared to us armchair coaches!

My opinion on hits like this is that tackling should be done with shoulders,arms and legs. The helmet is for protecting the the players head, not to be used as a weapon. There has always been head to head contact, it is bound to happen, but shouldn't be intentional.

TR somewhat alluded to a though I had before, the use of the helmet is being taught in earlier stages now, it has become reactionary and not often thought about at the moment. I have seen way to many "tacklers" think that going head first with arms down is a effective way to tackle, it is not tackling it is hitting and hitting alone.

I think, in a odd way, if we took the helmets off or just used leather again our concussion issues would lessen. If it hurts the hitter to lead with his head he less likely to do it. Leave the players just enough padding to protect from inadvertant contact with each other and the ground. I know we progressed to where we are in the name of player saftey but we may have gone to a place where the helmet is more effective as a weapon than a protective piece of equipment.

[greebs]

Thanks TR! Thanks you clearly have credible insite compared to us armchair coaches!

My opinion on hits like this is that tackling should be done with shoulders,arms and legs. The helmet is for protecting the the players head, not to be used as a weapon. There has always been head to head contact, it is bound to happen, but shouldn't be intentional.

TR somewhat alluded to a though I had before, the use of the helmet is being taught in earlier stages now, it has become reactionary and not often thought about at the moment. I have seen way to many "tacklers" think that going head first with arms down is a effective way to tackle, it is not tackling it is hitting and hitting alone.

I think, in a odd way, if we took the helmets off or just used leather again our concussion issues would lessen. If it hurts the hitter to lead with his head he less likely to do it. Leave the players just enough padding to protect from inadvertant contact with each other and the ground. I know we progressed to where we are in the name of player saftey but we may have gone to a place where the helmet is more effective as a weapon than a protective piece of equipment.

agree 100%

[FISHINGURU]

Yeah I was serious, football is pretty lame now that teams can put up 30-50 points at will because of all the new rules against the defenses that keep drives going and going. Look at all the QB's getting close or breaking records that were thought to never be broken.

Football is a fast paced game with guys running around full speed, yeah you can look at slow motion and say wow that guy shouldn't tackle like that, it's different when 2 players are going full speed, alot of the time it isn't even the tackler but the guy with the ball ducking or jumping into a big illegal hit.

Hands to the face of the QB, LMMFAO. You touch the pansies helmet with your hand and it's a penalty.

OK boys time to play tackle football but don't touch a QB, don't touch a WR past the line, don't tackle too hard. Might as well just throw the ball every play and hope for the best, odds are you'll get a penalty against the other team and keep the drive going.

They get paid millions of dollars to play a hardcore sport, I know people doing way more dangerous stuff for under $20 an hour.

[nofishfisherman]

The reason scoring is so high is beacuse of the limited amount of contact a DB can have with a reciever. Not beacuse they can no longer smash his head in with their helmet.

I'll agree some of the pass interference, limited contact to a QB, etc is getting over the top but those are in a different catagory as a helmet to helmet hit.

If you are in position to make a helment to helmet hit on a QB or another defenseless player then you are also in position to make a legal tackle. 95% of the players in the NFL make legal tackles on every play, its just a few guys like Harrison that seem to not grasp this concept.

There is no way you can eliminate all helmet to helmet blows because like you said when 2 guys are going full speed incidental stuff is going to happen. But when it does happen on accident you don't see fines or suspensions coming from it.

The only hits I think need to be eliminated are the ones like Harrison had on McCoy. Harrison intentionally launched himself to drive his helmet right into the head of McCoy. McCoy was not going full speed as he was just shifting out of the pocket, Harrison had a clean run at him and had plenty of time to size up the hit. He could have easily made a legal hit but as he even said he hit him in the head intentionally. He claimed he thought it was legal since he was out of the pocket. If he wanted to deliver a big blow to McCoy he could have just as easily lowered his shoulder and blasted him right in the chest, it could have been a classic "decleater" which would have been 100% legal. Instead he went for the head which and considering all the press about concussions leads me to believe there was atleast some intent to injure on the part of Harrison, there is no way he isn't aware that a blow to the head is likely to hurt someone and put them out of the game possibly for multiple weeks.

There is no way that eliminating that specific type of hit is the reason for increased scoring or for making the league softer or weaker. Its just common sense to protect the life and health of your assests.

[Larson15]

Anyone who thinks Harrisson is actually trying to head hunt needs to get there head checked and obviously has never played any sport at a high level. Like previously stated, you learn at a very young age to drive your helmet into the chest and drive. With the game being so fast these hits are going to happen.

[nofishfisherman]

Anyone who thinks Harrisson is actually trying to head hunt needs to get there head checked and obviously has never played any sport at a high level. Like previously stated, you learn at a very young age to drive your helmet into the chest and drive. With the game being so fast these hits are going to happen.

If he was taught to drive his helmet into the chest of his opponent then he may need to get his eyes examined beacuse he missed by about 2 feet.

A helmet to the chest is legal. If thats what they teach then great, but thats not what Harrison did and he admitted that he wasn't going for the chest. He said he thought a hit to the helmet was legal in that situation so he went for it. How is that not head hunting?

[Larson15]

You obviously have never played football and just dont get it.........

[nofishfisherman]

Apparently I don't get it. Maybe a few blows to my head and I'd be able to see things as clearly as all the old football players around here see them.

I'm not sure why so many people defend INTENTIONAL hits to the head. Thats exactly what Harrisons hit was, he admitted it was intentional, I'm not sure any way around that.

I understand helmet to helmet hits are going to happen in a fast paced game and I'm not saying all hits should require a penalty or fine. I haven't played much football in my life but I have played plenty of other sports at all various levels including the college level and I understand contact and injuries happen no matter how well intentioned everyone is. I'm not suggesting they make all head contact illegal I'm just saying that an intentional hit the head should be illegal. As you said that's not how they teach you how to tackle anyways so why is it such a defended part of the game?

[greebs]

Anyone who thinks Harrisson is actually trying to head hunt needs to get there head checked and obviously has never played any sport at a high level. Like previously stated, you learn at a very young age to drive your helmet into the chest and drive. With the game being so fast these hits are going to happen.

maybe youth coaches need to go back to teaching the shoulder to the midpart of the body and wrap your arms around the ball carrier. I'll show my age here but no coaches ever told me to drive my head into their chest.

these hits don't need to happen and there's no question that harrison has been called out many times for these types of hits so it's hard to argue that these have all been accidental on his part.

[2k1stang]

I keep reading the posts of these guys trying to defend Harrison. I still can't find a valid argument. I've got a cup full of straws for you. Keep grasping at them.

[Larson15]

Do you really think there is enough time to creatively think how you are going to hit a moving target? Absolutely impossible especially at the speed of play in the NFL today. If Harrison wanted to he could of probably put a worse hit on him and alot of other players. If you think he is ruthless what about the older players (Lott, Taylor, Butkus, Lambert, etc). They would all be banned! Why do you think the steelers have the best defense every year? Not by being pansy ankle biters.

Its real easy for you guys to watch the hit in slow motion who have no idea what the speed of play is like.

[nofishfisherman]

I get your point about the speed of play but I'm not buying for a second that the speed of the game made him launch at McCoy's head. He had a pretty clean run at him and he had time to size up his hit. He could have gone for the chest (like you said he has been coached to do since a young age) but instead he chose to go for the head. I'm not buying for a second that he meant to go for the chest but missed by 2 feet when he had about as clean of a look as you'll ever see.

If the speed of the game prevents you from controlling how you tackle then how is it that Harrison is the only player in the league making the mistake over and over and over again? 99% of the league has been able to adjust their hits, why not Harrison?

[FISHINGURU]

If the speed of the game prevents you from controlling how you tackle then how is it that Harrison is the only player in the league making the mistake over and over and over again? 99% of the league has been able to adjust their hits, why not Harrison?

You honestly think Harrison is the only player getting illegal hit penalties? Anyone that makes a tackle these days can get a penalty and a fine.

These rules are for mamsy pamsy's.

Hits to Head and Neck

NFL officials are concerned about illegal hits to the head and neck region. Usually they come from players' forearms, shoulders or helmets. NFL officials said these types of hits are dangerous for both the player who takes the hit and the one who creates it, a big part of the reason they are cracking down. Whether or not a player was "defenseless" will also help determine the hit's legality.

Defenseless Players

Anderson said illegal head and neck hits to "defenseless" players must stop. In a general sense, a defenseless player is one who does not have control of the ball. More specifically, the NFL has broadened the definition of this type of player: a quarterback in the act of throwing, a receiver trying to catch a pass, a runner in the grasp of tacklers and having his forward progress stopped, a player fielding a punt or kickoff, a kicker or punter during the kick, a quarterback at anytime after change of possession, a receiver who receives a blind-side block, and a player already on the ground.

Illegal Versus Legal

Hits to the head and neck of defenseless players are considered illegal. If a player launches at another, attempting to hit them in a legal region but makes initial contact with their head or neck, that is illegal.

Anderson pointed out several examples of legal hits in the NFL video. He showed many hits where players made contact with their helmets into the other player's chest. This would be a legal play.

[simple1]

The bottom line on this debate is there are always rule changes made in the NFL that are supposed to be for the health and benefit of everyone. A lot of these players are disabled after their careers and the game has to do its best to make changes for players safety while maintaining what the game is. The NFL posts all the rule changes by year under the health and safety section of their web page and you can go their and look them up.

Harrison gets paid a lot of money to play football in the NFL. And playing in the NFL requires you to play by the rules of the NFL. While I agree that some calls can not be helped by a player because of the speed of the game, after reviewing Harrison's latest hit, I believe he could have avoided head to head contact. If he is not athletic enough to play that position without costing his team 15 yard penalties and being suspended when they need him, he will have to find something else to do on Sundays.

Simple1

[zepman]

It's all over the spectrum too...my Bantam hockey player legally hits an opposing player and knocks him down, it's a penalty. Boarding, roughing, or interference...take your pick, it'll be called.

These guys get paid millions of dollars to play their profession...nobody MAKES them play...it's their CHOICE!

[simple1]

It's all over the spectrum too...my Bantam hockey player legally hits an opposing player and knocks him down, it's a penalty. Boarding, roughing, or interference...take your pick, it'll be called.

These guys get paid millions of dollars to play their profession...nobody MAKES them play...it's their CHOICE!

That's right, they get paid millions to play by the rules as written.

[FISHINGURU]

Wow, another fine example of the panty league, did anyone watch that game tonight? Them calls are beyond pathetic and exactly what I've been talking about.

[nofishfisherman]

Quote:

Former Super Bowl Winner Ben Utecht Suffering Memory Loss At Age 30

Imagine winning a football championship and then wondering if you'll always remember it.

Ben Utecht won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts and now worries if his life is about to unravel because of memory loss at just 30 years old. Utecht, a father of three who married his college sweetheart, claims he has started suffering episodes of memory loss and thinks it might be a direct result of his NFL career.

Utecht played in only four seasons -- three with the Colts, one with the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished his career with 87 receptions and three touchdowns in 51 games. Injuries kept Utecht from playing in two of his six professional seasons. He suffered five concussions over his career -- two in college, two with the Colts, and one with the Bengals, which ended his career.

The undrafted University of Minnesota product told the USA Today he's very concerned about his health.

"Will I experience early-onset dementia in my 50s? Will I experience more issues with amnesia or headaches or behavioral changes? All of these things are consequences of brain injury. I think now that I'm aware of them -- especially now that I'm the father of three beautiful little girls -- it's definitely in my heart and on my mind. I'd be lying to you if I said it wasn't."

What a pansy!

A few blows to the head and his career is over and God only knows what he and his family will face in the future.

But according to some of you there's still no reason to prevent blows to the head. After all he made good money at the time. Unfortunately he probably can't remember where he put his wallet or what bank he goes to. And most of the money will probably be used on future medical bills and to support his family since he'll likely never be able to support them again with his memory loss.

[FISHINGURU]

Poor Ben, I'm in my 30's with memory loss too.

Time for him to sue the NFL and make some more millions.

[greebs]

do you think suing the league and getting $ is going to bring back his memory? there really is a reason the league is cracking down on the head shots that don't need to occur. yes there will be some that happen inadvertently but much fewer will occur if all the players follow the rules.

[FISHINGURU]

Yeah that's to bad, injuries happen in full contact sports.

Do you think he deserves to sue because he chose to play football and got hurt?

His memory loss sure doesn't slow him down from traveling around to a different state everyday playing music.

[Antero]

Yeah that's to bad, injuries happen in full contact sports.

Do you think he deserves to sue because he chose to play football and got hurt?

His memory loss sure doesn't slow him down from traveling around to a different state everyday playing music.

No he should not sue because he choose to play football. However if the team doctors involved cleared him to play with these injuries he has a case. It seems that the teams knew yrs ago tt this was happening and they still let it go on. Team doctors and officials turned their heads and ignored the medical evidence (in some cases), told the pkayers they were OK and sent them back in.