NFL Week 14 Random Thoughts

[Maynard]

[MVPete]

[ram29jackson]

http://fansided.com/2013/12/08/nfl-sets-record-83-touchdowns-today/

[CrimsonGhost56]

[Maynard]

[Maynard]

[Maynard]

The "controversial" pass interference call against the Browns.

[Maynard]

[Maynard]

Coach Belichick stares down T.J. Ward, who tackled Gronk.

[MrBill]

Absolutely a cheap shot, just like the one against Randall Cobb against the Ravens earlier this year.

[Maynard]

what was? the ward hit? how is it cheap to tackle a guy low?

[jms493]

Everything happens so fast I don't think he was intentionally aiming for his knee. He could have easily though he was going to hit him in the upper thigh and boom...he hit his the knee.

Regardless he did launch him self with no intention of wrapping him up around the waste or wrapping up his legs. I mean he is no match for Gronk as he HAS to go low to have a chance to tackle him...but launching him self with no intent to tackle is what caused this to happen.

[Hasselbeck]

what was? the ward hit? how is it cheap to tackle a guy low?

Agreed. He's tackling the way the league wants him to tackle now.

[MrBill]

what was? the ward hit? how is it cheap to tackle a guy low?

Ward basically says that he would rather take out somebody at the knees and risk injury to them rather than try and make a clean tackle and risk helmet to helmet contact.

OXBORO -- When Browns defensive back TJ Ward saw Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski run freely down the middle of the field and haul in a Tom Brady pass, he made a decision. Ward knew he measured up at 5-foot-10, 200 pounds. He knew Gronk (6-6, 265) was much bigger.

Ward was going to go low.

"I closed on the pass, it was a decision I made just to make a tackle on a big man," Ward said. "Unfortunately he got hurt, but if I were to hit him up high, there's a chance I would've got fined . . . I'm just being safe."

Gronkowski was carted off the field moments later with what appeared to be a serious leg injury. He did not return.

Ward explained that with the NFL rules for illegal hits being what they are, defensive backs like himself are left with little choice: A hit up high could result in a personal foul penalty and a hefty fine; a hit down low may be dangerous, but it doesn't carry the same kinds of risks.

Having already been fined three times in his career, Ward explained he makes a conscious effort to avoid hits that will result in more money being taken out of his pocket.

"I've been fined three times," he said. "And I don't like playing for free. You can ask anybody in this league if they like playing for free. No. Repeat offenders, they starting to suspend people for the year. I can't risk that. I won't risk that. I gotta play within the rules. Point blank."

Ward went on about the role that rules play in dictating where defenders target their hits.

"It's kinda being caught between a rock and a hard place," he added. "It's a decision you have to make, but you have to follow the rules at the same time. Gronk's a big dude. He's not small by any means. Already he has that height. It just makes it difficult. I made a tackle. Unfortunately he got hurt. But if he would've got up, there would've been no discussion about this right now."

[Maynard]

yeah, but does that make it a cheap shot? to me a cheap shot is a player doing something dirty or outside the rules. i dont think either applies to the ward hit. he is not the only dee player who said they go low now to avoid the fines.

can you blame them?