Targeting?

[TheRealVille]

Watching this bowl game today between Middle Tennessee and Toledo and there needs to be a revolt by the players, the coaches and the schools on the BS targeting rules.

Toledo 's best defensive player ejected in 3rd quarter for a BS targeting call. It's ridiculous! It unfairly penalizes Toledo with one quarter to go of frigging bowl game. If Middle Tennessee wins it could directly be due to that BS targeting call.

How can the powers that be continue to allow this? They have to change the rule that only egregious hits get a player ejected. If you watch a lot of college football you're constantly seeing players being unjustly thrown out of games. It needs to stop!

 

[CardsFirst]

Watching this bowl game today between Middle Tennessee and Toledo and there needs to be a revolt by the players, the coaches and the schools on the BS targeting rules.

Toledo 's best defensive player ejected in 3rd quarter for a BS targeting call. It's ridiculous! It unfairly penalizes Toledo with one quarter to go of frigging bowl game. If Middle Tennessee wins it could directly be due to that BS targeting call.

How can the powers that be continue to allow this? They have to change the rule that only egregious hits get a player ejected. If you watch a lot of college football you're constantly seeing players being unjustly thrown out of games. It needs to stop!

I think it needs to be handled more like hockey. Player sits out for the next 10 minutes or a certain number of downs. But to be ejected for the rest of the game and the first half of the next just to severe

 

[Rollem Cards]

RB’s “target” constantly even if they are not ”defenseless” DBs.

Yet this same RB, who is EXPECTING to be hit, can be “targeted” himself?

BS

 

[nccardfan]

Until the players learn how to tackle correctly, there needs to be a potential consequence to their actions. CTE is for real. How can you judge what was egregious or not. Sometimes it is a culmination of hits not just 1 single blow. Maybe a study needs to be done to see if the players feel more safe? Or how about the many parents out there that don’t want their sons playing football? It’s not because it’s a sissy sport.

 

[Rollem Cards]

So teach RBs not to duck their heads

Ban the 3 and 4 point stance for linemen that lends to leading with the head.

You can’t hit low because of knee injuries.

You can’t hit high because of head injuries.

Hell, in the interest of safety, let’s just ban helmets. That will stop the leading with the head. Maybe.

Or just ban the game. That ought to make everything perfect and safe.

 

[TheRealVille]

Until the players learn how to tackle correctly, there needs to be a potential consequence to their actions. CTE is for real. How can you judge what was egregious or not. Sometimes it is a culmination of hits not just 1 single blow. Maybe a study needs to be done to see if the players feel more safe? Or how about the many parents out there that don’t want their sons playing football? It’s not because it’s a sissy sport.

I have watched players kicked out of games all season for hits that are totally unfair. The runner lowers his head at the last second and the hit by the defender is suddenly to the helmet.

There are hits to the chest but the tackler is called for targeting because he lowered his head. It's bullshit! We have all seen violent hits that the tackler could have avoided and those are legitimate penalties. But it's gotten out of hand to the point of tackles are being missed because of fear of being thrown out of the game.

Keep the 15 yard penalties but stop the ejecting of the players unless replay shows a intentional targeting hit. Like in hoops with the two levels of technical fouls.

 

[Rollem Cards]

I’d venture that most of the proponents of the ejection rule are not season ticket buyers. They have no skin in the game.

 

[rentalman]

I am a proponent of one free pass. A player gets a warning on the first one. If another happens during the season then ejection occurs. There needs to be a deterrent but the rule as currently applied does a disservice to the game.

One thing on these plays that is never taken into consideration is that the offensive player almost always lowers their body just before contact. If they did not do that the contact would have been lower on their body.

 

[Rollem Cards]

I am a proponent of one free pass. A player gets a warning on the first one. If another happens during the season then ejection occurs. There needs to be a deterrent but the rule as currently applied does a disservice to the game.

One thing on these plays that is never taken into consideration is that the offensive player almost always lowers their body just before contact. If they did not do that the contact would have been lower on their body.

And when the targeting occurs, if the offensive player has lowered his head? He’s out too. Quid pro quo.

This is of course a ridiculous plan.

But if this is truly about safety, the offensive player needs to be kicked out for his own “good” too. No?

But this is just another “feel good” move to show they care.

 

[nccardfan]

And when the targeting occurs, if the offensive player has lowered his head? He’s out too. Quid pro quo.

This is of course a ridiculous plan.

But if this is truly about safety, the offensive player needs to be kicked out for his own “good” too. No?

But this is just another “feel good” move to show they care.

You misunderstand football. The runner lowers his head to protect himself. He can no longer see what is truly in front of him or in his peripheral vision. He is trying to protect the ball. The defensive player has vision. He should target the offensive player’s torso or legs. You want to bring a player down you wrap up his legs.

 

[Rollem Cards]

You misunderstand football. The runner lowers his head to protect himself. He can no longer see what is truly in front of him or in his peripheral vision. He is trying to protect the ball. The defensive player has vision. He should target the offensive player’s torso or legs. You want to bring a player down you wrap up his legs.

I misunderstand football.

Ok

I missed the 9 years when they taught leg tackling.

We were taught, through college, to aim my face mask for his numbers. So the ball carrier “lowers his head” to “protect the ball”.

Ok. Silly me. I always thought they were trying to run over me for extra yardage. I digress

Now his head is where his numbers were .5 of a second ago…and I get kicked out for targeting.

Got it. My bad.

 

[nccardfan]

I misunderstand football.

Ok

I missed the 9 years when they taught leg tackling.

We were taught, through college, to aim my face mask for his numbers. So the ball carrier “lowers his head” to “protect the ball”.

Ok. Silly me. I always thought they were trying to run over me for extra yardage. I digress

Now his head is where his numbers were .5 of a second ago…and I get kicked out for targeting.

Got it. My bad.

Maybe you took too many hits to the head, I think…

 

[TheRealVille]

You misunderstand football. The runner lowers his head to protect himself. He can no longer see what is truly in front of him or in his peripheral vision. He is trying to protect the ball. The defensive player has vision. He should target the offensive player’s torso or legs. You want to bring a player down you wrap up his legs.

It doesn't matter where the tackler hits the ball carrier if he lowers his head. Players have been ejected for targeting even though the hit was in the side or the chest. It's about launching and lowering the head with the crown of the helmet.

The rule is supposed to protect the tackler as well and it has gotten ridiculous. When targeting was first implemented, we all was for it because it was stopping egregious hits to the head. Now it's for accidental and mostly benign hits that are getting players ejected.

 

[nccardfan]

Ok just for kicks, should we erred on the side of a player getting to stay in a game or if a player can be seriously injured. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s a far cry from flag football. It’s for player’s safety not solely for the entertainment of the fan who doesn’t want his player ejected.

 

[jmac1029]

I think if a player gets called for targeting twice in the same game he should get ejected.

 

[TheRealVille]

Ok just for kicks, should we erred on the side of a player getting to stay in a game or if a player can be seriously injured. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s a far cry from flag football. It’s for player’s safety not solely for the entertainment of the fan who doesn’t want his player ejected.

Stop with the sanctimonious bullshit! We all want to protect serious injuries and this is the point I'm making. These ejections I'm referring to are no serious injury tackles.

I agree there should be a targeting rule but it needs to be for actual targeting to the head, not some accidental glancing blow. There's replay to determine a malicious hit from a accidental one.

It's not rocket science.

 

[Rollem Cards]

Maybe you took too many hits to the head, I think…

I know there a couple more I’d like to give out….

 

[Rollem Cards]

Stop with the sanctimonious bullshit! We all want to protect serious injuries and this is the point I'm making. These ejections I'm referring to are no serious injury tackles.

I agree there should be a targeting rule but it needs to be for actual targeting to the head, not some accidental glancing blow. There's replay to determine a malicious hit from a accidental one.

It's not rocket science.

I’ve had that twit of Ignore forever, but out of my “Ignorance”, and curiosity, I took the bait and clicked on the above.

Lesson learned. Ignore is a friend.

 

[earsky]

Referees have to be able to determine intent somehow. Although not easily done,it should determine whether there is a personal foul or an ejection is warranted.
There needs to be that fine line.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

It's just really difficult for defenders. Feels like forever it wasn't cool to tackle low, now they can't tackle high either.

I believe over 90% of these plays are accidental, probably high 90% range.

 

[nccardfan]

Stop with the sanctimonious bullshit! We all want to protect serious injuries and this is the point I'm making. These ejections I'm referring to are no serious injury tackles.

I agree there should be a targeting rule but it needs to be for actual targeting to the head, not some accidental glancing blow. There's replay to determine a malicious hit from a accidental one.

It's not rocket science.

They are reviewed…

 

[wreckcard#22]

Targeting call is far from perfect and will continue to evolve. Everybody here has good points and the judgment needs to be made as to whether we accept cte as an assumed risk or change the sport dramatically...RB not leading w head and no hands on the ground for lineman? IDK. Who here doesn't love FB because those interior collisions? I played LB...I think you all know what I love to see, but I was glad my son stopped playing after freshman yr. A highly nuanced and conflicted situation here and finding middle ground is tough. If no one is happy, it may be the best solution.

 

[nccardfan]

I agree the replay system is annoying but a lot of times these players are moving so fast, it is difficult to tell without replay and then it may take different camera views. Concussions are dropping statistically. Whether players are now adjusting to the new rules or what, I think we would want less injuries overall.

 

[TheRealVille]

Now here ya go. Anybody watching the end of the Auburn/Houston game? They just called targeting that if upheld will be the most ridiculous targeting call of all time. Two refs threw their flags. The game is becoming a joke.

 

[TheRealVille]

It was upheld. Unbelievable! I could stomach a penalty but to eject a player for that is a travesty. Both the runner and the defender started sliding at the same time and the contact was purely incidental and lite.

Now Auburn loses a key defender with just 4 minutes to go and guess what? Houston scores easily. Auburn fans are no doubt cussing up a storm.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

agree should not have been ejected I'm across the room half paying attention but I think you are probably right here @TheRealVille

 

[nccardfan]

It was upheld. Unbelievable! I could stomach a penalty but to eject a player for that is a travesty. Both the runner and the defender started sliding at the same time and the contact was purely incidental and lite.

Now Auburn loses a key defender with just 4 minutes to go and guess what? Houston scores easily. Auburn fans are no doubt cussing up a storm.

Look I saw that play. The key is the runner had already started to go down and the defender lowered his head into the runner. That’s how players get hurt. The defensive player could have literally just put two hands on him and he was down. He saw the runner going down and decided I’m going to make sure he’s down.

 

[TheRealVille]

Look I saw that play. The key is the runner had already started to go down and the defender lowered his head into the runner. That’s how players get hurt. The defensive player could have literally just put two hands on him and he was down. He saw the runner going down and decided I’m going to make sure he’s down.

Horseshit! The defender curled up as he was sliding, realizing the QB was sliding as well. He didn't want to get a penalty for hitting a sliding QB. There was no TARGETING at all? At all! The helmet contact was incidental. In this Louisville game, our RB's are going headfirst into the defender. That's targeting in the correct form of the word.

The reason TARGETING became a rule a few years ago was guys were leading, launching with the helmet to make a hard hit. That's the fun of being a defender. Making big hits. But people were getting hurt so the rule was applied to stop this kind of tackling, not the incidental, lite contact that gets guys thrown out of the game today.

It has gotten out of control and defenses have suffered due to it. Never mind offensive players launching all the time with never a targeting call.

College Football is dead if this continues. They're not this ridiculous in the NFL.

 

[Rollem Cards]

Horseshit! The defender curled up as he was sliding, realizing the QB was sliding as well. He didn't want to get a penalty for hitting a sliding QB. There was no TARGETING at all? At all! The helmet contact was incidental. In this Louisville game, our RB's are going headfirst into the defender. That's targeting in the correct form of the word.

The reason TARGETING became a rule a few years ago was guys were leading, launching with the helmet to make a hard hit. That's the fun of being a defender. Making big hits. But people were getting hurt so the rule was applied to stop this kind of tackling, not the incidental, lite contact that gets guys thrown out of the game today.

It has gotten out of control and defenses have suffered due to it. Never mind offensive players launching all the time with never a targeting call.

College Football is dead if this continues. They're not this ridiculous in the NFL.

Preach on!

But me and you just “don’t know football” accorded to this twit.

 

[nccardfan]

Preach on!

But me and you just “don’t know football” accorded to this twit.

The officials called it on the field and was upheld by replay officials… so I know who the twits are.

 

[BPGhost]

The officials called it on the field and was upheld by replay officials… so I know who the twits are.

Reasonable people can disagree. The optimal word in that sentence is “reasonable” so…

On a positive note - we’re both on ignore so neither one of us hurt his itty bitty feelings.

 

[TheRealVille]

The officials called it on the field and was upheld by replay officials… so I know who the twits are.

Are you not listening? I know the refs called targeting. They have been told to. I'm saying the rule needs to be modified.

 

[nccardfan]

Are you not listening? I know the refs called targeting. They have been told to. I'm saying the rule needs to be modified.

Let me guess concussions aren’t real…

 

[TheRealVille]

Let me guess concussions aren’t real…

Concussions can happen in all sorts of ways. The contact to the helmet in this example of the Auburn game was minor. Their heads bumped and that happens in the trenches all the time without anyone being ejected.

Are you really saying you're not able to make the distinction? A lot of targeting calls are hits to the body, not the head. If a defender lowers his head, it can be called targeting. It's ridiculous.

Like I said, the egregious launching hits of defenseless ball carriers needed to be addressed, but players being kicked out of games for incidental, lite contact is going too far and it's ruining the game.

Common sense would be a level 1 and a level 2 violation like with flagrant fouls in basketball. They use replay on targeting and could make the distinction easily.

 

[nccardfan]

Concussions can happen in all sorts of ways. The contact to the helmet in this example of the Auburn game was minor. Their heads bumped and that happens in the trenches all the time without anyone being ejected.

Are you really saying you're not able to make the distinction? A lot of targeting calls are hits to the body, not the head. If a defender lowers his head, it can be called targeting. It's ridiculous.

Like I said, the egregious launching hits of defenseless ball carriers needed to be addressed, but players being kicked out of games for incidental, lite contact is going too far and it's ruining the game.

Common sense would be a level 1 and a level 2 violation like with flagrant fouls in basketball. They use replay on targeting and could make the distinction easily.

I didn’t know you could diagnose a concussion from your TV? What’s a minor hit to the head? This is sort of relevant. When you looked at the play when TB got concussed, there was no helmet to helmet involved. His contact came from the ground and a guy landing on him. At first thought, the injury was to his legs or chest not to his head. These guys are going full speed at each other, there’s nothing lite about it.

 

[TheRealVille]

I didn’t know you could diagnose a concussion from your TV? What’s a minor hit to the head? This is sort of relevant. When you looked at the play when TB got concussed, there was no helmet to helmet involved. His contact came from the ground and a guy landing on him. At first thought, the injury was to his legs or chest not to his head. These guys are going full speed at each other, there’s nothing lite about it.

Football is a physical, violent sport. Players are going to get hit in the head. Concussions are going to happen. What can be eliminated is the hard intentional hits to the head and it did. Defenders know they will be kicked out. But players are getting ejected now for soft love taps that were incidental.