James Harrison

[Smidgeon]

The Browns coaching and medical staff deserve some credit for letting him go back out after Wallace had just thrown a dart for a first down.

How many snaps did Seneca get? (He was the QB at Iowa State the first couple years I attended--not many Iowa Staters make it in the NFL.)

[mraynrand]

I think it was 2

[mraynrand]

Not sure who should get a bigger fine. Harrison or Shurmur.

Not only was Shurmur possibly guilty of putting his player at risk, but he also pulled a Mike Sherman - he wasn't paying attention to what was happening on the field. His starting QB gets his bell rung, but his backup makes a solid throw and gets a firs and goal from the 3 or 4 yard line. Let Seneca finish the series. I bet they could have gone 5 wide empty backfield and have Seneca run it in.

[Freak Out]

Harrison is just begging for it.

[mraynrand]

Harrison is just begging for it.

So was Walden, apparently.

[smuggler]

Does Harrison still not understand that leading with his helmet into another player's helmet is not allowed?

Actually, he can pop people with his helmet, once they are established as a runner. However, McCoy leaving the pocket doesn't cost him his QB protection. He has to cross the line of scrimmage to become a runner.

Harrison didn't know that, if his post game interview is to be believed.

[Pugger]

But the league doesn't want defenders to go helmet to helmet.

[smuggler]

If that were the case, they'd make a rule. Right now, only QBs and 'defenseless' WRs are protected. They should probably expand it to anything outside of the line of scrimmage area is a penalty, sort of like blocks in the back on O/D.

[Joemailman]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-for-harrison/

“In the fourth quarter of the Cleveland Browns-Pittsburgh Steelers game last night, Steelers linebacker James Harrison was penalized for roughing the passer,” the league said. “Rule 12, Section 2, Article 13(8) and (3) of the NFL Rule Book (page 75-76) is applicable to the roughing the passer penalty called against Harrison.

“When a passer is outside the pocket area as in the case of Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy last night, he is still afforded the protection of Rule 12, Section 2, Article 13 (3), which prohibits defensive players from using their helmet against a passer who is in a defenseless posture, including by “forcibly hitting the passer’s head or neck area with the helmet or facemask, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the passer by encircling or grasping him.”

[pbmax]

But the league doesn't want defenders to go helmet to helmet.

Smuggler is correct. A running back with a handoff, can still be hit with a helmet. As can any other player with the ball that is not "defenseless" while throwing or catching the ball.

[Pugger]

Smuggler is correct. A running back with a handoff, can still be hit with a helmet. As can any other player with the ball that is not "defenseless" while throwing or catching the ball.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-for-harrison/

“In the fourth quarter of the Cleveland Browns-Pittsburgh Steelers game last night, Steelers linebacker James Harrison was penalized for roughing the passer,” the league said. “Rule 12, Section 2, Article 13(8) and (3) of the NFL Rule Book (page 75-76) is applicable to the roughing the passer penalty called against Harrison.

“When a passer is outside the pocket area as in the case of Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy last night, he is still afforded the protection of Rule 12, Section 2, Article 13 (3), which prohibits defensive players from using their helmet against a passer who is in a defenseless posture, including by “forcibly hitting the passer’s head or neck area with the helmet or facemask, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the passer by encircling or grasping him.”

QBs get different treatment that RBs. What bothers me about the entire situation is this isn't the first time Harrison had hit someone helmet to helmet and it appears from here that the Browns' staff didn't go thru the concussion protocol.

[MadScientist]

QBs get different treatment that RBs. What bothers me about the entire situation is this isn't the first time Harrison had hit someone helmet to helmet and it appears from here that the Browns' staff didn't go thru the concussion protocol.

The reason it is that way is that running backs get hit in the helmet because they lower themselves to plow through a tackle. It is impossible to avoid occasional hits to the helmet in those instances and still make a tackle. McCoy was standing and backing away from the hit after he flipped the ball. Harrison by the sounds of his statements was looking to get in a free helmet led kill shot at the QB. Just that attitude should call for a suspension, more that just the hit itself. It's similar to Suh's post game non apology - a mind set that must be changed and fines won't cut it.

As for the Browns, there is no excuse for their actions. Hopefully a fine will do the trick with them.

[pbmax]

QBs get different treatment that RBs. What bothers me about the entire situation is this isn't the first time Harrison had hit someone helmet to helmet and it appears from here that the Browns' staff didn't go thru the concussion protocol.

Yes, but QBs do not get special treatment because of the position listed in the program. They need to be in the pocket or in the act of throwing a pass. A halfback option pass would extend to the RB the same protections while passing. Outside of the defenseless exception, helmet to helmet hits are legal.

The question of whether Harrison could safely assume McCoy was a runner is the debatable issue. He clearly was running (or faking a run) when Harrison went to tee off on him, but then threw the ball. It would have been a near miraculous adjustment by Harrison to redirect. But given how this has been judged previously, just because Harrison expected that he was a runner probably won't be enough to save him the fine.

I agree that the Brown's medical team did not do its job.

[mission]

Can't tell from that picture, pb. He either smoked a joint on the sideline or has no idea where he is.

[digitaldean]

I'm all for hitting the QB if he runs out of the pocket. But for crying out loud, Harrison launched himself at McCoy's head!
He should be suspended for a game given his past track record. Fining him $75 to 80 K (like I heard by Clayton on ESPN this a.m.) is a joke. Forcing him to sit a game should make him and his team see that crap should stop.