Helmet to Helmet or Clean Hit on Smith?

[Greg Schiano]

Hey Schiano... everyone on this board agreed that the Clifton Smith hit was BS... no idea what Wesley was thinking and he deserved to be ejected and fined.

Oh I know, Panthers fans were appalled the day it happened. I know there have been plenty of dirty hits going both ways over the years as well, to include some on Steve Smith if I recall correctly. For a division game, it was intense and violent but I wouldn't say the rules were bent to risk player safety.

Excited for week 11, I hope to see a similar game in terms of physical play is in order, regardless of the outcome (win or loss)

[Lout]

Well, I just went and watched it again - had only seen it once when it actually happened - and it was pretty much 50/50. Smitty dropped his head when he saw Barron and Barron dropped his head in response, I wouldn't consider that spearing or a vicious hit.

Barron definitely didn't launch his body and use it as a weapon against Smith. It was a just a solid hit and tackle. Wish we were able to draft Barron like our FO wanted. But, I will settle with Kuechly.

[HardcoreDefense]

Barron definitely didn't launch his body and use it as a weapon against Smith. It was a just a solid hit and tackle. Wish we were able to draft Barron like our FO wanted. But, I will settle with Kuechly.

Barron made some great plays against us, but I believe Kuechly will have a better season/career

[Darth Biscuit]

Oh I know, Panthers fans were appalled the day it happened. I know there have been plenty of dirty hits going both ways over the years as well, to include some on Steve Smith if I recall correctly. For a division game, it was intense and violent but I wouldn't say the rules were bent to risk player safety.

Excited for week 11, I hope to see a similar game in terms of physical play is in order, regardless of the outcome (win or loss)

I did not see anything in the Panthers - Bucs game that I would consider dirty or otherwise uncalled for from either team. Cam got a little pissed at that guy where he got in the guys face, but even that (despite the retarded Yahoo article) wasn't a big deal... Cam was more frustrated that we weren't playing well than anything else imo.

I did see that turd Roman Harper on the Saints* playing dirty against the 'skins on Sunday.

Now that Fujita is on the Browns and Vilma is hurt hopefully neither of our teams will see poo like this...

[Greg Schiano]

Now that Fujita is on the Browns and Vilma is hurt hopefully neither of our teams will see poo like this...

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[chknwing]

Read the last section of the rule... it prohibits spearing regardless of the situation.

Yeah but isnt spearing when the player leaves his feet and launches himself? I dont think Barion did that.

[mwright350]

Yeah but isnt spearing when the player leaves his feet and launches himself? I dont think Barion did that.

This is spearing:

A penalty called when a defensive player makes a tackle that leads with the crown of his helmet into the offensive player. If the initial contact occurs at the top of the helmet, the tackle is illegal. Spearing is a 15-yard penalty against the defense and an automatic first down. The penalty is considered a player safety issue, as hits that lead with the top of the helmet often result in injuries.

But you're right, Barron did not spear him.

[YourManInAmsterdam]

I'm not educated enough to say whether or not it warrants a fine, but I did feel like it was cheap, unnecessary hit, if not just downright dirty.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I'm just glad steve didn't get a concussion.

[cbully]

steve was out of bounds actually....

[cbully]

steve was out of bounds actually....on a side not Ronde tackles like some of our DBs...lol

[MadHatter]

steve was out of bounds actually....

Steve's foot hit the OOB line right at the time of the hit. That should NOT have been a late hit...refs that that right.

As for Helmet to Helmet, it was close. But, Smith lowered his helmet as well and was a primary reason for the helmets to hit.

Pretty good no call in my opinion.

[Greg Schiano]

steve was out of bounds actually....

I find that this is a pretty good example actually of why there is a bit of a gray area when a player is stepping out of bounds. Barber goes to push Smith out of bounds but instead of just going out of bounds he attempts to turn up field and then at the end step out. Safety Mark Barron's tackle was well in motion as Steve's foot was about to hit the boundary.

Still think it was a great no call and am glad neither player was injured.

[Darth Biscuit]

Yep, SS had not yet stepped out... the hit was legal and nothing wrong with it. I bet if you asked SS he'd say the same thing.

I don't even know why this is still being debated?