A worrisome precedent re: headshots and sideline concussion protocol

[PhillyB]

It's hard to criticize the league for trying to cut down on player injuries by drawing guys to the sideline if there's a chance of concussion. Several people on these boards transcended Panthers fandom and called for Cam to have been pulled out of the game for a proper examination despite the fact that we all really wanted him to stay in and win the game. And the Panthers may have followed protocol, there are plenty of sources saying he was checked out during the commercial break, or off-camera.

Tonight the Jets popped Tyrod Taylor in the head and the refs immediately called him to the sideline. The Bills had to downgrade to EJ Manuel, and a few plays later he threw a pick that may well have been on target to Sammy Watkins if Taylor (who's looked like a pro bowler tonight) had been in. The defender in question was flagged, but obviously stayed in and was not called for unsportsmanlike conduct (and nor should he have been.)

So what's worrisome as a precedent is the possibility of a defender being able to get in one good, solid shot at the helmet of the quarterback and knocking him out of the game for a few plays while not taking any personal penalty because it wasn't deemed bad enough. This can cause a fundamental weaknesses in offenses that defenses can exploit. There is a lot of incentive for defenses to play a little dirtier now, if not flagrant. Even if you work up a rule to also bench the player who made the hit until the QB is back in the game, what's to stop defenses from sacrificing a bishop to take out the queen?

I am not a fan of slippery slope arguments, but watching this Jets-Bills game tonight really has me wondering how the game will adapt and evolve to the events of the past several weeks.

[LinvilleGorge]

Taylor threw that INT and the hit that sent him to the sideline wasn't flagged. 

[Moorgan]

I immediately thought the same thing. Others have been saying it. The blueprint is out there.

DA just became very important. But I have faith in Cam understanding that they are out for blood. And when they give him their best shot...

[PhillyB]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Taylor threw that INT. 

ahh well i'm only half watching.

still though

[Panther49er]

If a ref forces the team to pull a player out to be checked for concussion symptoms, then play should stopped until that player is cleared to return, or not cleared.. It takes a matter of maybe 2 minutes to run the sideline tests.. I would hate to see us lose a game because some dumb@ss ref thinks he's a neurologist and pulls Cam out during a crucial drive.

[Kevin Greene]

30 minutes ago, PhillyB said:

 

So what's worrisome as a precedent is the possibility of a defender being able to get in one good, solid shot at the helmet of the quarterback and knocking him out of the game for a few plays while not taking any personal penalty because it wasn't deemed bad enough. This can cause a fundamental weaknesses in offenses that defenses can exploit. There is a lot of incentive for defenses to play a little dirtier now, if not flagrant.

If a Ref or the observer in the booth calls for a player to be pulled due to a possible concussion, then simultaneously the play should mandatorily be reviewed and if a player caused the injury in an egregious fashion then a penalty should be called on the spot.

[panthers55]

If both players had helmet to helmet contact then they both should be pulled out for evaluation if the protocol is invoked without obvious signs. Why should the offensive guy be the only one who could get a concussion?

[PhillyB]

2 minutes ago, panthers55 said:

If both players had helmet to helmet contact then they both should be pulled out for evaluation if the protocol is invoked without obvious signs. Why should the offensive guy be the only one who could get a concussion?

right, but losing your shitty WLB for a few plays is a whole let less harmful than the other team losing its QB

[panthers55]

Just now, PhillyB said:

right, but losing your shitty WLB for a few plays is a whole let less harmful than the other team losing its QB

That's true but if a team and player knows they are risking a 15 yard penalty as well as losing the player they might be less likely to do it. Especially someone valuable  like Vonn Miller last Thursday.

[PhillyB]

1 minute ago, panthers55 said:

That's true but if a team and player knows they are risking a 15 yard penalty as well as losing the player they might be less likely to do it. Especially someone valuable  like Vonn Miller last Thursday.

what if it's incidental, as in the case of tonight?

my point is the offense suddenly has far, far more to lose from the outcome of any given play - incidental or not - than the defense, which could drastically change the complexion of games

[panthers55]

Just now, PhillyB said:

what if it's incidental, as in the case of tonight?

my point is the offense suddenly has far, far more to lose from the outcome of any given play - incidental or not - than the defense, which could drastically change the complexion of games

Incidental contact isn't intentional and that was your premise about who it hurts more and why a team might target the quarterback. If it is incidental,  then  both players get looked at for safety reasons and any advantage is incidental as well. If it is intentional then there should be a flag as well as losing the player for a.period which should at least give defensive players pause.  

[Kevin Greene]

12 minutes ago, PhillyB said:

what if it's incidental, as in the case of tonight?

my point is the offense suddenly has far, far more to lose from the outcome of any given play - incidental or not - than the defense, which could drastically change the complexion of games

This is where the Officials must be competent. The Panthers should have been the beneficiaries of at least 3 roughing penalties last Thursday. And the players flagged one illegal hit from ejection.

[Kevin Greene]

[Kevin Greene]

There is simply no way these calls can be missed.