Clowney's hit on Wentz

[trents]

Probably should have been called. I think the ref's blew that one.

[RiverDog]

Wentz wasn't sliding to give himself up so he didn't have the QB protection, so right there the refs mindset isn't going to be hair triggered to throw a flag. However, it was helmet to helmet and when you slow it down, you can see Clowney going down to make contact. But if you run the play at normal speed, there doesn't appear to be forceful contact, more like a glancing blow, so it wasn't one of those palm to the forehead, no brainer calls they missed.

[c_hawkbob]

Wentz “was a runner and he did not give himself up,” NFL referee Shawn Smith told a pool reporter after the Seahawks won, 17-9. “We saw incidental helmet contact, and in our judgment, we didn’t rule that to be a foul.”

If it had been called on the field they may have let it stand but it was not an egregious no call.

[Hawktawk]

I expected a flag because of the hair trigger refs regarding Qbs. That said it’s a bang bang play. Dude is a running back not giving himself up. No question Clowney didn’t mind hitting him but he’s not known for dirty plays .

Beyond that Wentz is just a pussy. Anyone remember Russ in the 2014 championship when Clay Mathews tried to take his head off? He was out on his feet. They took him to the blue tent and he ran right out the other end and back to the sideline .

If I’m Wentz , finished my first 2 years injured watching Nick Foles win a lombardi there is no way in hell Im going to self report . They would have to drag me out of the game . Maybe taking himself out was the safe thing to do but he’s never going to be a champion . Regardless he looked horrible and McCown wasn’t bad . For all we know it was an upgrade . Wentz was back to back 3 and out and 1-4 passing . He had 4 turnovers in the first meeting . Seattle beat them fair and square .

[Hawk Sista]

I agree. He didn’t lead w/ his helmet or spear him & Wentz had not given himself up. It was borderline, IMHO.

[Oly]

To me, a borderline play is one where I'd be pissed if the refs didn't call it against the other team but I'm okay with a no-call against the Hawks. That describes this play perfectly. If they would have called it, I think I would have reacted something like "that's a light penalty, but given the extra protections around QBs--even when they're runners--the call is pretty consistent with how they've been calling those hits for a few years."

[mykc14]

Beyond that Wentz is just a pussy. Anyone remember Russ in the 2014 championship when Clay Mathews tried to take his head off? He was out on his feet. They took him to the blue tent and he ran right out the other end and back to the sideline .

That's because Wentz doesn't drink the Nanobubbles...

[Aseahawkfan]

Now they'll probably do a makeup call against us in Green Bay. I don't worry about it. Our piggy bank is still empty from all the bad calls against us.

[jshawaii22]

The talking heads all think it was "dirty"... so the NFL PR team will have no choice but to whack him with a 50k fine. They won't suspend him as the refs agreed with the no call, but the NFL always listens to the talking heads when making decisions on issues like this.

[RiverDog]

The talking heads all think it was "dirty"... so the NFL PR team will have no choice but to whack him with a 50k fine. They won't suspend him as the refs agreed with the no call, but the NFL always listens to the talking heads when making decisions on issues like this.

That and I think the consequences, ie Wentz's having to leave the game and never returned, makes a difference in how the league responds.

Not sure if any of you have been monitoring social media, but there's a whole bunch of Philly fans that are really going whacko over this, and there is some concern that Clowney could be the subject of some personal threats to his safety. Clowney himself has spoken out about it, reiterated that he wasn't intentionally trying to hurt Wentz then added how bad the Philly fans are, calling them "the worst fans in the world". I'm not sure if I'd go that far, but they're definitely the worst in the NFL, the only ones coming close being the Browns fans back in the dog pound days prior to their move to Baltimore.

[zackole]

If it was our quarterback I would be very very upset....since it was the other teams quarterback...ehhhhhhhhh...not so much.

[Hawktawk]

My guess is Clowney and the Seattle D will be under close inspection in Green Bay. Aside from that Wentz jus has a glass jaw. I got hit harder than that 100 times in practice in high school. Sucks we have Russ and they don’t

[RiverDog]

My guess is Clowney and the Seattle D will be under close inspection in Green Bay. Aside from that Wentz jus has a glass jaw. I got hit harder than that 100 times in practice in high school. Sucks we have Russ and they don’t

The blow to the head on Wentz was a little different. His face mask impacted the ground almost immediately and in doing so, there was no recoil that would help absorb the energy. That's one of the reasons why the officials didn't throw the flag, because they didn't see a noticeable movement of Wentz's head.

But I agree with one thing. I used to get hit a lot harder during my football playing days than Wentz did on that hit. I used to get a sore spot on the bridge of my nose caused by the impact of helmet on helmet. As a matter of fact, that's a good question to find out if someone has actually played the game or not: Ask them if they know why you sometimes see players wearing a bandage across the bridge of their nose.

[jshawaii22]

Interesting that Russell Wilson was asked about 'not getting the 'calls' and he said that being a running QB has a negative effect on the refs.
Carson, according to the refs had made himself a runner by turning upfield and tucking the ball away... same issue? Runners just don't get the protection that QB's would get. Seems like a reasonable rule, if they call it that way all the time.

[Hawktawk]

I've been hit so hard I was on the sidelines puking. With the old riddell helmets in the 70's I've seen face masks break off, both guys get knocked out on a return collison.

I suppose the hit was a little weird and I'm sure the guy had cobwebs. But what about boxing where a guy gets knocked down, UFC? gets up and takes a hundred more blows to the head and wins in the end. Examples set by guys like Farve, Manning, Wilson. Im sure he was dinged up but I stand by what I said. If I was that moment making millions and playing in my first playoff game in 3 years, having watched Nick Foles become a folk hero and win a SB MVP I'd have to be sleeping on the field and going off on stretcher before I'd leave the game.I've only personally seen one other guy take himself out, Big ben in 2015 but he already has 2 lombardi's. Wendz aint done squat.

[RiverDog]

Well, if we're all telling war stories about our football playing days, I have one that no one can top. As a junior in high school back in 1971, I had a teammate that was killed on the field, or rather, died 3 days later having never regained consciousness. I was the backup and when in when he went down. He died of a brain aneurism, and doctors speculated that there could have been a pre-existing condition caused by a broken jaw he suffered when he fell off a horse 2 years earlier that contributed to the severity of the injury.

The surgeon that tried to save him had 3 years earlier been flown to LA via an air force jet fighter in an attempt to save Bobby Kennedy.

[Rambo2014]

LOL Clowney is going to get suspended for balance of season

Its over

[RiverDog]

LOL Clowney is going to get suspended for balance of season

Its over

Another one of you predictions?

The NFL is reviewing the hit and it's possible, maybe even probable, that Clowney could receive a fine. But given that the play was right in front of the refs and did not draw a flag it's very unlikely that it will result in a suspension.

[NorthHawk]

My guess is all plays that result in head injuries are reviewed no matter how blatant or innocent if only as part of
the evaluation of the referees. I think it was borderline at worst and probably impossible to prevent without
removing the tackling element from the game.

[Hawktawk]

Well, if we're all telling war stories about our football playing days, I have one that no one can top. As a junior in high school back in 1971, I had a teammate that was killed on the field, or rather, died 3 days later having never regained consciousness. I was the backup and when in when he went down. He died of a brain aneurism, and doctors speculated that there could have been a pre-existing condition caused by a broken jaw he suffered when he fell off a horse 2 years earlier that contributed to the severity of the injury.

The surgeon that tried to save him had 3 years earlier been flown to LA via an air force jet fighter in an attempt to save Bobby Kennedy.

That’s awful RD but sounds like not contact related? Crazy

[Hawktawk]

LOL Clowney is going to get suspended for balance of season

Its over

Tune in Sunday and watch the Hawks advance to the conference championship . I know you don’t have a team left

[trents]

In the slowmo replay it looked like Clowney gave him a forearm to the head but when I watch the full speed videos I don't see that so much. But the odd things was to me, Clowney didn't reach across Went's body with the right arm and that's what looked like a forearm slam in some views.

[obiken]

It was a bad hit, and a late hit. In college he would be gone. No doubt its over and done, maybe a fine.

[RiverDog]

It was a bad hit, and a late hit. In college he would be gone. No doubt its over and done, maybe a fine.

My understanding is that the colleges are going to eliminate the player ejection part of their targeting penalty.

[Rambo2014]

Since PC hiring the Seahawks have had one controversy after another and this just shows they are the dirtiest team in the NFL

Starting to make Conrad Dobler look like a choirboy

PC just a Bill Bellichek with a smiley face

[Agent 86]

NFL's Chief Medical Office calling Wentz "heroic" for reporting concussion.

I don't know about "heroic", awfully strong word, I get the sentiment though. Times have certainly changed, I can see every single older/former player thinking Wentz is "soft" for what he did. I guess it took guts for Wentz to do it, given what he has been through with injuries and watching Foles lead the team to a Super Bowl. Concussions are no joke, we all know that now, you cannot just "walk it off" as it were.

But I still think Wentz is the exception here, I believe most QB's would have said they were fine, probably went to the blue tent and did a few tests, and then grab your helmet and get right back out there.

[RiverDog]

NFL's Chief Medical Office calling Wentz "heroic" for reporting concussion.

I don't know about "heroic", awfully strong word, I get the sentiment though. Times have certainly changed, I can see every single older/former player thinking Wentz is "soft" for what he did. I guess it took guts for Wentz to do it, given what he has been through with injuries and watching Foles lead the team to a Super Bowl. Concussions are no joke, we all know that now, you cannot just "walk it off" as it were.

But I still think Wentz is the exception here, I believe most QB's would have said they were fine, probably went to the blue tent and did a few tests, and then grab your helmet and get right back out there.

If the Philly fans didn't have Clowney to displace their angst on, I can imagine what they would be saying of Wentz about now.

If Wentz did something like that 30 or 40 years ago, they'd be calling him a wimp. But nowadays, athletes have so much more information available to them now than we did back then so it's hard for me to criticize a player for being conscious of their own health, particularly when it comes to something as potentially life altering as a head injury.

[jshawaii22]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... son-wentz/

Evidently, the NFL is backing its Referee Crew on this. Even I'm surprised that there was no fine as the PR move was to hit him up for some $$$.

[RiverDog]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/01/10/report-nfl-decides-not-to-fine-jadeveon-clowney-for-hit-on-carson-wentz/

Evidently, the NFL is backing its Referee Crew on this. Even I'm surprised that there was no fine as the PR move was to hit him up for some $$$.

Make that two of us. Clowney was hit for a fine on a late hit on Nick Foles last season, so there was some history with him that might have caused them not to give him the benefit of the doubt. But I am glad that they didn't subject the refs to even more second guessing than they're already having to deal with.

[c_hawkbob]

Surprises me a little, but I knew it wouldn't be much if their was one. The biggest factor is that he was diving forward for more yardage instead of protecting himself with a slide. QB's are afforded a ridiculous amount of protections in today's NFL, nice to see them putting the onus on those QB's to take advantage of those protections for themselves.

[RiverDog]

The biggest factor is that he was diving forward for more yardage instead of protecting himself with a slide.

And that's the biggest factor that the refs on the field cited as to why they didn't throw the flag. Is a player supposed to pull up and allow a running back to gain yardage because he's diving for a first down? Suppose that play was on the goal line? Would it change anything?

QB's are afforded a ridiculous amount of protections in today's NFL, nice to see them putting the onus on those QB's to take advantage of those protections for themselves.

I personally don't mind the rules regarding the hits to the head and neck area. What rankles me is the rules against going low on a QB, falling on them with their bodies, etc. Those rules are not meant to protect the player from a possible life changing injury, rather they're meant to keep the passive fans engaged by keeping the Aaron Rodgers and Tom Bradys in the game.

[jshawaii22]

I don't mind the rules favoring the QB, even the ones you mentioned RD. What irks me is the personal fouls for roughing that including accidentally tapping the QB's helmet when you rushing by, even though no other part of the body's touch and other fouls that just don't call for any penalty.
Even Russ has benefited from a few of them, and then doesn't get some of the calls he should. Not well balanced at all.
I always look in the lower right corner of my TV after every play... just waiting for the yellow block.

Still think the best game of the year was Minnesota, where the Refs called a couple of fouls for the whole game.

[govandals]

Hi everyone, haven't posed for a while. Here's my 2 cents:

Clowney led with his shoulder
Wentz was in the process of being tackled by McDougald, therefore he wasn't "giving himself up"
Borderline late hit, depends on which angle you watch it from.
Glad there was no flag, not surprised if there was one.
Don't think it was intentional, don't think Clowney is a dirty player.
I did not think he would be fined.
Wentz needs to protect himself way better.

Anyone go to Bleeding Green Nation? Terrible things being said about Clowney and even Russ. Wishing injuries, saying bad thing about their families. Just terrible stuff.

[Hawktawk]

Hi everyone, haven't posed for a while. Here's my 2 cents:

Clowney led with his shoulder
Wentz was in the process of being tackled by McDougald, therefore he wasn't "giving himself up"
Borderline late hit, depends on which angle you watch it from.
Glad there was no flag, not surprised if there was one.
Don't think it was intentional, don't think Clowney is a dirty player.
I did not think he would be fined.
Wentz needs to protect himself way better.

Anyone go to Bleeding Green Nation? Terrible things being said about Clowney and even Russ. Wishing injuries, saying bad thing about their families. Just terrible stuff.

They should be pist their team drafted a china doll. Plus he was 1-4 with back to back 3 and outs before McCown replaced him. We already beat his ass, sacked him up like a bag of groceries a few weeks earlier and he turned it over 4 times. Then we learn McCown played the entire second half with his hamstring muscle torn away from the bone. But the tears in the locker room were because he lost the first playoff game of his career. Old school. Guys just in general aren't as tough anymore with some notable exceptions..

30 years ago Joe Montana staged one of the legendary last minute drives in Super bowl history. It was the game where everyone seemed tight in the huddle and Montana said "hey look there's John Candy" It was such an off the wall comment everyone laughed and we know the rest of the story. But many dont know Montana was so concussed he was seeing double at times as he drove the team to victory. It may have been the reason for the off the wall comment. I've seen guys in high school who thought they were fred flintstone they got hit so hard. As much as it hurts to remember Kam Bam knocked Edelman silly in SB 49. According to Pats teammates he was so dazed he kept referring to Seattle as the Rams much of the rest of the game but he caught the game winner pushing off twice on the same play. Certainly Belicheat and his teammates knew he wasn't right but WTH right?


Some got it. Some dont

[RiverDog]

I saw a play in last night's Titans-Ravens game where an almost identical play to the Clowney hit on Wentz occurred on a Lamar Jackson run when he dove forward for extra yardage and a Titans tackler hit him in the back of the helmet. Although Jackson was arguing for one, no flag was thrown. Both hits were glancing blows. Hopefully some of the Philly fans that were so critical of the no call against Clowney saw that play and took note.