Kendricks fined for blind side block

[RhodyRams]

Fisher said after watching it on tape that it was a good call...It was certainly a momentum changer, one way or the other...If the league didn't think it was an illegal block, I don't think they would have fined him...

As I said somewhere in this thread, I had forgotten that JF said that it was the right call.

 

[LACHAMP46]

See, that's where we differ.

Personally, I don't miss the football of the 70's and 80's, not because I wasn't alive to witness them, but because the quality of life those men "enjoy" today and how they have to watch their buddies die and suffer from horrible diseases like dimensia, alzheimers, ALS, and the like. The steps the league has taken over the past decade, especially with the advent of concussion protocols and the like have done more good for the players than anything in the league's history, and that should be applauded.

Having said that, what Kendricks did was not only legal and not a penalty, but it is how the game should be taught! He faces up his man, hits him in the chest, blocks downfield for his receiver which is a lost fricking art, and finishes his block THROUGH the man's chest, which is football 101. The fact that a penalty was called, subsequently not picked up, could not be challenged (which I HATE), and then the offending player was fined for it is the tragedy, not the spirit of the rules.

The spirit of the rules is adding years and quality of life to men who, not ten years prior, were shooting themselves in the chest with a shotgun to preserve their brains for science (Seau).

The enforcement of the rules is deplorable.

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You don't know what the results of todays game will be on these players in 20-30 year either....

 

[Amitar]

I don't think he should have been fined.

 

[Ram Quixote]

That block is far worse than LK's block. Taint loaded up and put his helmet entirely into that one.

Not to mention that the player Kendricks blocked was able to get up and pursue the play. I can understand the penalty, but the fine? That's bogus.

 

[kmramsfan]

We would have scored on that possession and won the game without a doubt. We seem to get a momentum swinging penalty every game. Check it:
Vs Minn- Brian Quick catches a 17 yard pass and gets flagged for an offensive FACEMASK. Which gets called like once a decade. We get at least a field goal on that drive and the outcome is completely different.
Vs Dallas-Eugene Sims gets called for personal foul when he sacks Tony Romo. Would have been 4th down and we probably go into the half up 21-3. Later in that same game he gets called for holding on another sack that would have gave us the ball around the 50 with just enough time to score and win the game.
Vs 49ers- Everyone remembers the phantom OPI call against Cook. Totally changed the game.
Vs Chiefs- EJ Gaines gets called for DPI as he picks off an Alex Smith pass and returns it for a would be touchdown.
I know "good teams overcome penalties". But find me another team to have to do it this many times.

While I completely agree with the bad call scenarios and was screaming at the TV when they were made, I disagree with the concept of it being an excuse for the Rams losing the games. Do we see the Cheatriots or the Donkeys losing their mojo when they have a few bad calls against them? The Rams have to become good enough to play through it.

 

[Irish]

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You don't know what the results of todays game will be on these players in 20-30 year either....

True, but doctors and researchers are starting to find drastic, stunning correlations between the number of concussions, chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE, and brain disorders later in life. Doctors have studied athletes, combat veterans, victims of traumatic accidents, and the like, and there is one dramatic link they are finding: the more brain trauma you suffer, the more likely you are to develop these devastating conditions later in life.

The league is taking measures to limit, even eliminate, chronic, repeated concussions and brain trauma.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_traumatic_encephalopathy

 

[Jumava1968]

That was a BS call and was most likely called because it looked worse than it really was.The bad calls just continue to mount and the pussification of our beloved game continues.

 

[Ken]

When I saw it I thought it was a legal block (i.e. not from the back or side), but it was helmet to helmet. Wrong call, correct penalty.

 

[Legatron4]

While I completely agree with the bad call scenarios and was screaming at the TV when they were made, I disagree with the concept of it being an excuse for the Rams losing the games. Do we see the Cheatriots or the Donkeys losing their mojo when they have a few bad calls against them? The Rams have to become good enough to play through it.

Yes I know. I said that exact thing and put it in quotes. But I also said they only may have to do this 1-2 times every few weeks. This is a ritual for the Rams to have to overcome something once or twice a game.

 

[Rams and Gators]

For me the difference between the two is the Cowboys guy was still running side on to Taint, whilst the Cardinals player had fully turned and made 2 steps in the direction of Kendricks, ^^^ that is a clear case of when the penalty should be enforced, the Kendricks penalty is less clear under the wording of the rule, because of the two steps for me. If it was made clear to players and coaches that the Kendricks penalty is how it should be called then so be it.

 

[kurtfaulk]

Was Borland ever fined for that body slam?

No his tackle was a must see video on nfl.com.

.

 

[BigRamFan]

Meh. They're gonna err on the side of caution, and a case could be made that he was facing up-field.

That's fair, but the consistency of this caution is not. Where was this protection when T. Mason was duplexes buy Borland in SF? That is where I have issue.

 

[CGI_Ram]

The league sees the replay before determining fines.

Under the rules; it must have been illegal.

Truthfully, all Kendricks had to do was get in the way and the block would have been just as effective. He didn't have to lay into the guy like that.

That said; its tackle football. So, what do I know?

 

[Memphis Ram]

 

[Thordaddy]

I never thought Kendricks used his helmet as a weapon and the contact was more incidental so I guess according to the letter it was a bonafide call, but that's a stiff ass fine , I really feel for Kendricks ,he was doing what his coaches want him to do and if the flag hadn't been thrown he'd have been getting high fives on the sideline,short trip from the penthouse to the outhouse.

 

[LACHAMP46]

True, but doctors and researchers are starting to find drastic, stunning correlations between the number of concussions, chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE, and brain disorders later in life. Doctors have studied athletes, combat veterans, victims of traumatic accidents, and the like, and there is one dramatic link they are finding: the more brain trauma you suffer, the more likely you are to develop these devastating conditions later in life.

The league is taking measures to limit, even eliminate, chronic, repeated concussions and brain trauma.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_traumatic_encephalopathy

I get what you're saying, and really the league seems to be trying some new proactive measures to protect itself from future litigation....But, have you ever seen the waiver you must sign when you take an X-Ray? How about on a ski-lift ticket? Or any hazardous activity? When these players decide at a young age to play football, they are basically assuming the risk....Why do you think they get paid so well? did you hear Charles Barkley's rant against Derrick Rose the other day? They basically are gaining an estate due to their successful participation in professional football..And can set themselves & their immediate family up financially for life....I liken it to being a stunt man, or even a daredevil like Evil Knievel (remember him?). They can try to legislate violence out of this game all they want, but like being a lion tamer or wire walker, this game has inherent risks involved...I remember hearing in the 70's or 80's that playing football was like getting into multiple car collisions...And I've been in some fender benders, but nothing like a few hits I've taken on the field....more like bike accidents with cars...But to gain this financial estate, these players all know what the costs may be now...Just like working in a coal mine....Just like serving in the armed forces, police force, local contractor....extra rules don't make the game safer, seems like a way for the league to get some money back...to do???, who knows what?....

 

[Thordaddy]

Well said champ

 

[Walter]

It is just hard to understand calls like this. When we are all growing up as little warriors on the high school football fields this would have been a clean and celebrated block. I know there is a difference between the grown men of the NFL vs. teenagers in high school, but it is just hard to tolerate the pussification of some of the aspects of football. I do understand they are trying to keep players safe. I get it. Just frustrating sometimes.