Falcons: Dirty Panties

[Jesus]

I saw this during the game yesterday but it kind of passed by without much thought. But surfing around the web I saw this article and accompanying GIF. Here is the gist:

On the opening kickoff of the second half one of the panthers sprinted towards the Falcons kickoff team while all the rest dropped back into proper blocking. This Panther was aiming for Kroy and apparently missed.

Here is what Grantland says:

Quote:If you have NFL Game Rewind or otherwise have access to a tape of the Falcons-Panthers game, there's something you're going to want to see. Watch the opening kickoff of the second half and pay close attention to Carolina's first wave of blockers. Go ahead, we won't spoil it for you.

For those of you without access, here's what happened. As the Falcons go to kick off, all of the Panthers players peel off to set up for a short kick, except for linebacker Jason Phillips (no. 53). Instead, Phillips sprints full speed ahead toward Falcons lineman Kroy Biermann (no. 71), hoping to hit him with 10 yards of momentum before Biermann can realize what's happening. It's terrifying. Fortunately, Biermann moved away at the last moment before Phillips committed premeditated assault.

So, what happened? Macho NFL stuff, of course! Biermann dove into a scrambling Cam Newton as Newton was about to give himself up on a run at the end of the first half. Was it necessary? Probably not, but it was also a clean enough hit that it (rightfully) wasn't flagged for unnecessary roughness. To make up for this, Phillips totally shirked his responsibilities and flagrantly tried to injure Biermann. You can try to chalk this up to the players and the game policing itself, but do you remember how well that went with the replacement referees over the past three weeks? It took a full week before cheap shots and shoving matches that wouldn't fly with the real refs made their way back into the game. Had Phillips actually taken out Biermann, he would have been suspended and likely made a cause célèbre for concussion arguments. Maybe the league should judge him on his intent anyway.
— Bill Barnwell

Link
Here is the GIF:

[juraitwaluzka]

I saw that live but didn't know that's what he was doing. Next game we should sign someone for just that game to return the favor, a career ender would suffice.

[hitwriter]

I noticed the play as well and wondered even if the move was legal... in real time I even wondered if he was even offsides... but no flag was thrown or commentary made.

[Jesus]

It looks like Bierman tosses him aside, cause he goes flying.

[RFlagg]

I've got to wonder if the NFL is going to want to speak with him simply for his intent. Also, who honestly believes he decided to do that on his own?

[Dale4Saul2Red0]

I really hope a coach didn't order that, really do. The evolution of the NFL player is one where they are so strong and fast now that there is no room for stuff like this in the game. Eventually someone will die because as we continue to evolve humans are going to become stronger and faster, it's a scary thought.

[AUTiger7222]

I hope someone in the NFL offices know about this and gets word to Goodell. That is not a football move. I don't know WTF it is but it's not a football move.

[NZFalcon]

I saw this live and wondered who it was they were targeting. Too bad for him he just gets swatted aside.

[FullMetalFalcon23]

(10-01-2012 04:30 PM)Dale4Saul2Red0 Wrote:  I really hope a coach didn't order that, really do. The evolution of the NFL player is one where they are so strong and fast now that there is no room for stuff like this in the game. Eventually someone will die because as we continue to evolve humans are going to become stronger and faster, it's a scary thought.

I was on the sidelines due to an injury in a season finale some 3 and half years ago. And a former teammate playing for the opposition got absolutely drilled when he tried to tackle our runnIng back. It's rare to see a tackler fold in half over the ball carriers shoulder with his own shoulders turning in towards his chest and his head whipping down towards his chest.

He was fine on the play got up and kept going. But because the game was already ours and because he was playing his final game before taking up his armed service he sat out the second half. Towards the end if the 3rd quarter the young guy standing on the sidelines watching the game he loved collapsed with a heart attack and never recovered.

A close friend of mine who happened to be the Head Coach of the opposition and a former NYC EMT was right there when it happened he tried to save him the ambulance already at the game as is custom tried to save him. My friend believes he was dead before he hit the ground.

Now imagine pro players and the forces they generate. Even if someone is injury Prone at this level. You can bet your bottom dollar they are tougher than us and those who judge them.

You are right at some point someone isn't going to get back up one day. I hope the nfl is ready when a day like that comes.