Adams Cheap Shot

[blackbart]

RULE SUMMARY VIEW OFFICIAL RULE
PLAYERS IN A DEFENSELESS POSTURE

Defenseless Player | NFL Football Operations

operations.nfl.com

Wow that sounds so easy to understand. You’d think a head official in the NFL playoffs would understand it. ‍

Prohibited contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture is:

1. forcibly hitting the defenselessplayer’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, even if the initial contact is lower than the player’s neck, and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenselessplayer by encircling or grasping him

 

[Lurker]

I think they need to look at the slide rules in general. I feel bad for Wolford, but I don't think diving forward is giving yourself up. If you don't want to get hit slide feet first, and do it before the defender is committed. I remember holding my breath watching Donald land funny trying to jump over a last second slide by Wilson last year. Maybe they should consider a 5 yard Halo rule for slides, to allow defenders to hold up without hurting themselves. If you try to squeeze out that extra yardage you should expect to be hit. I've seen QBs fake the slide as well to get defenders to slow up...and then they kept running.

That being said, I do think Adams meant to hurt Wolford...not necessarily injure him, but he did want it to hurt...but that's probably what I would have done in the same situation...some would consider that dirty, but I consider it good football.

I also would like to add that I don't like Adams, and I'm glad the Rams made his first playoff game a memorable experience!

 

[dieterbrock]

It’s a cheap shot because he’s clearly giving himself up. And Adams makes him pay for it.
When JW sees Adams has clear shot he’s trying to get down.

View: https://youtu.be/xyfEJmZ3KCk


I really can’t see any defense of this. And no doubt if that’s Ramsey laying the wood on Wilson, he’s out the game

 

[Gandalf]

Watch the way Adams dips his helmet and then lifts it at the end. It looks like he could of pulled up some but instead he dipped is helmet and then lifted it at impact like he was adding a little thrust into it. It was shoulder to helmet, but his intentions look iffy.

 

[Q729]

View: https://twitter.com/gbellseattle/status/1348087504583364614?s=20

 

[Merlin]

I'm ok no penalty on that simply because, as I have mentioned before, I don't like how QBs can hide behind protections then flip that switch and act all badass. It's shitty for the defense.

I am pissed that Wolford got hurt. But it was his fault. Slide MFer. We talked about that shit here ad nauseum before the game. I am sure the coaches told him the same. You're not a fucking RB who knows he's got a 3 year shelf life. You're a fucking QB so be careful.

 

[Mackeyser]

Am I imagining things or did Adams intensity wane after that hit?

both his shoulders were injured and it was a hard shot. He likely exacerbated the injury

 

[Ewe83]

Wolford should not have slid head first that's correct, that's asking for trouble but I still think what I thunk

 

[blackbart]

View: https://twitter.com/gbellseattle/status/1348087504583364614?s=20

Actions speak louder than words, they are both just saying what they think they are supposed to say.

 

[blackbart]

I'm ok no penalty on that simply because, as I have mentioned before, I don't like how QBs can hide behind protections then flip that switch and act all badass. It's shitty for the defense.

I am pissed that Wolford got hurt. But it was his fault. Slide MFer. We talked about that shit here ad nauseum before the game. I am sure the coaches told him the same. You're not a fucking RB who knows he's got a 3 year shelf life. You're a fucking QB so be careful.

The rules clearly protect everyone not just QBs who are giving themselves up. It doesn’t matter if they slide feet first or head first.

 

[Q729]

Actions speak louder than words, they are both just saying what they think they are supposed to say.

I think I saw him mouthing the words when he was walking away. I thought he said get the fuck away from me lol.

 

[Dodgersrf]

I thought it should have been a penalty, but it didn't look like a cheap shot.

I know Wolford was fired up, but he needs to learn to slide. He should have learned that from the AZ game. He took at least 2 head shots against AZ.

 

[Karate61]

FYI. A qb can slide (or dive) head-first, which is treated just the same as a qb sliding feet first.

Wolford was hit when rules say he can't be.

Should have been an obvious flag!

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I'm ok no penalty on that simply because, as I have mentioned before, I don't like how QBs can hide behind protections then flip that switch and act all badass. It's shitty for the defense.

I am pissed that Wolford got hurt. But it was his fault. Slide MFer. We talked about that shit here ad nauseum before the game. I am sure the coaches told him the same. You're not a fucking RB who knows he's got a 3 year shelf life. You're a fucking QB so be careful.

After years of watching guys like Rodney Harrison, Burfect and a few others trying to injure QBs, I have come to like the new protection rules. Its also made life much tougher for those borderline football players/butchers.

 

[TexasRam]

My personal opinion is things happen so fast in real time that I can't accuse Adams of anything. I think he was trying to make sure he stuck his shoulder in to bring down a ball carrier in a playoff game. You get too timid tackling and you lose football games.

However, as others have stated, since he hit his helmet that alone should require a penalty. Just like the good shooting a gun analogy that Poster jackatttack used. Which was a good one by the way.

But back to the original point. Why don't they put it into the rule book to review these plays and make sure a hit to the head is penalized? I mean, if we are going to great lengths for player safety then lets be consistent. Force defenders to be even more careful not to hit the helmet.

 

[matt30]

FYI. A qb can slide (or dive) head-first, which is treated just the same as a qb sliding feet first.

Wolford was hit when rules say he can't be.

Should have been an obvious flag!

This is actually not the case.

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A feet first slide is given additional protection under the rules. Any contact with the head or neck in a feet first slide is a penalty, regardless of timing. Not the case with a head first dive. E.g. you can put a shoulder into a QB trying to launching head first across the line to gain in a qb sneak.

There are 11 ways in which a player is considered defenseless.

1. A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass (passing posture).
2. A receiver running a pass route when the defender approaches from the side or behind. If the receiver becomes a blocker or assumes a blocking posture, he is no longer a defenseless player.
3. A receiver attempting to catch a pass who has not had time to clearly become a runner. If the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player.
4. The intended receiver of a pass in the action during and immediately following an interception or potential interception. If the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player.
5. A runner already in the grasp of a tackler and whose forward progress has been stopped.
6. A kickoff or punt returner attempting to field a kick in the air who has not had time to clearly become a runner. If the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player.
7. A player on the ground.
8. A kicker/punter during the kick or during the return (Also see Article 8-h) for additional restrictions against a kicker/punter).
9. A quarterback at any time after a change of possession.
10. A player who receives a “blindside” block when the path of the blocker is toward or parallel to his own end line.
11. The offensive player who attempts a snap during a Field Goal attempt or a Try Kick. He is no longer a defenseless player after he has had an opportunity to defend himself or moves downfield.

I think the best argument for the penalty is that he was "on the ground" or that the defensive player dived into him.

The problem comes with reconciling Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9(b)(1)

It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture.

Players in a defenseless posture are:
[ . . . ]
A player on the ground.
[ . . . ]
Prohibited contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture is:
forcibly hitting the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, even if the initial contact is lower than the player’s neck, and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him;

with Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1(d)(2)(3):

A runner who desires to take advantage of this protection is responsible for starting his slide before contact by a defensive player is imminent; if he does not, and waits until the last moment to begin his slide, he puts himself in jeopardy of being contacted.

and Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8(e)

There shall be no unnecessary roughness. This shall include, but will not be limited to:
running, diving into, or throwing the body against or on any player on the ground either before or after the ball is dead;

Rule 7, Section 2 talks about when a player is down and the ball is dead. It's not clear what "this protection" means. Does it mean Rule 12?
Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9 is about defenseless players and just requires that a player is "on the ground." It's not clear exactly what on the ground means (a player on his hands and feet is technically "on the ground" but not down).
Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8 talks about unnecessary roughness. Does "throwing" your body at someone require you to leave your feet?

I think they got it wrong, but it's definitely a judgment call and not cut and dry.

 

[So Ram]

This is actually not the case.

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A feet first slide is given additional protection under the rules. Any contact with the head or neck in a feet first slide is a penalty, regardless of timing. Not the case with a head first dive. E.g. you can put a shoulder into a QB trying to launching head first across the line to gain in a qb sneak.

There are 11 ways in which a player is considered defenseless.



I think the best argument for the penalty is that he was "on the ground" or that the defensive player dived into him.

The problem comes with reconciling Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9(b)(1)


with Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1(d)(2)(3):



and Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8(e)


Rule 7, Section 2 talks about when a player is down and the ball is dead. It's not clear what "this protection" means. Does it mean Rule 12?
Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9 is about defenseless players and just requires that a player is "on the ground." It's not clear exactly what on the ground means (a player on his hands and feet is technically "on the ground" but not down).
Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8 talks about unnecessary roughness. Does "throwing" your body at someone require you to leave your feet?

I think they got it wrong, but it's definitely a judgment call and not cut and dry.

My take on it after you break it down & Devine rules is the way it got communicated.

I saw Sam Bradford one year just get freaking blast in a game.QB’s forget & put themselves in a compromising position.

The REF who made the call might have not known the rule & explained it wrong when The REFS as a group huddled together.
The Flag should’ve never been picked up & maybe having a Extra REF in the booth might help.If nothing else make it when there is a question on a call & a player gets hurt.
The Dr.’s are on the field,but then again the Ref is in charge of the game on the field & game management is huge.

 

[badnews]

A cheap shot is an INTENTIONAL dirty play to try and injure someone or inflict pain. Its a conscious decision to hurt someone. If you've watched Jamaal Adams the past few years, he plays and hits hard. But he's never been a dirty player.

Adams had the chance to hit Wolford as hard as he could and he took it. These super stars make other intentional and impressive athletic split second adjustments all of the time. They can flip their hips and change direction by seeing a QBs eyes get big. They time jumps by accurately anticipating what someone is about to do all of the time. They do all sorts of small but very impressive things that are only possible because they have a natural feel for the physics and timing of the chaos around them.

Accidental or incidental hits do happen and get flagged and thats frustrating. I've seen Rams fans react in unison about a personal foul where all of us agree it wasn't dirty.

In Adams case, he came in as Wolford goes down, set his aim and unloaded all of his momentum and mass at the place Wolfords head is going to be and he did it because he had the opportunity to punish the kid for running.
Adams might not have a history of dirty hits but he also doesn't have a history of playing in post season games either.

He gets no pass from me and neither does the ref who stepped in and picked up the flag.

 

[OregonRamsFan]

I have done many things that in retrospect I regret. Doesn't mean I didn't do it.

Where are the bodies buried?

 

[dieterbrock]

Calling Wolford's slide "head first" is just not an accurate depiction. Whether full speed or slow mo, its abundantly clear that he was just trying to get to the ground as fast as possible, by any means possible. There is no time for a feet first slide there, he wasnt running free and giving up on the play.
Wolford is running a designed run, and Higbee completely whiffs on Adams, who has the play spied from the jump. When he sees Adams, he's got no chance.
I would be ok with no penalty if not for the fact that Wilson, Brady, Mahomes etc ABSOLUTELY get that call.