Vicious hit of the week & I mean vicious
Posted by Thomas the Terrible on September 30, 2008
Vicious:
- (a.) Bitter; spiteful; malignant.
- (a.) Characterized by vice or defects; defective; faulty; imperfect.
- (a.) Not well tamed or broken; given to bad tricks; unruly; refractory; as, a vicious horse.
- (a.) Addicted to vice; corrupt in principles or conduct; depraved; wicked; as, vicious children; vicious examples; vicious conduct.
Eric Smith seemly demolished Anquan Boldin in Sunday’s Cardinals/Jets game to the point that Boldin had to be taken off the field on a stretcher. It was clearly a cheap & vicious helmet to helmet hit, watch the video below and you will see the hit if you wait for the replay to slow down.
The NFL has now taken swift, and somewhat appropriate, action against Smith, by suspending him for one game and fining him $50,000.
Specifically, on a pass play on Sunday, Smith engaged in helmet-to-helmet contact with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who was in a defenseless position at the time contact was made.
The suspension will sideline Smith for the Jets’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 12 following the Jets bye on Oct. 5. The $50,000 fine includes the game check Smith will forfeit for the week of his suspension.
While at the least it’s a punishment but is it enough? I wouldn’t mind seeing Roger “The Sheriff” Goodell suspend the violators of the helmet to helmet rule, for the length of the injury sustained by the victim and then a minimum of 3 games beyond that. Quite frankly I also wouldn’t mind see the fines raise to a minimum of $200,000 either. Let’s face it for some players a $50,000 fine simply means they will have to shorten a vacation by two days during the off season. These are just my opinions if you have any others please voice them.
moondogleft said
I’d have to disagree with most who believe the suspension was warranted. This is football. That wasn’t an intentional hit to harm the player. If it were, then I’d be the first to call him out.
I can’t count the times I got rocked in the head when I was playing in the 70’s and early 80’s. This is a man’s game and there are times when someone is going to get their clocks cleaned. That’s just the way it is.
Too many start pointing fingers and wondering why a violent game has hits like this. Because it’s a violent game.
I’m all for protecting players and taking steps to address illegal hits. But this wasn’t a hit that warranted a suspension.
Thomas the Terrible said
I think he was suspended because he led with his helmet.