this is a cheap shot

[ram29jackson]

I thought it was just this site and the internet practice of being brazen for the hell of it but some of you actually think it was just the manly thing to do and its no big deal ? Are you really that stupid ? it doesn't matter if its 1959. Spearing a guy who doesn't see it coming is a borderline violent criminal act, especially with a helmet to a head. Athletes by and large are just dumb. He had plenty of time to process that was a kicker and simply run full speed into him without leaving his feet or torqueing his body into a coil for impact.

I don't like all the rules that increase the offense and the passing so much but there are obvious reasons you don't do what he did without making stupid macho excuses.

[Tailback U]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-...cked-vertebrae

It was illegal, dude has a broken jaw and a cracked vertebrae. Football....YAY!

According to the NFL rules, "It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture," and that includes "A kicker/punter during the kick or during the return."

This is the part I don't agree with. They just through the kicker and punter in there out of the blue. How are they defenseless? I can maybe give them the excuses on hits on receivers catching footballs in mid air. I will not excuse grown who are fully capable of running, blocking, tackling, and dodging of being "defenseless."

There's more: "Forcibly hitting the defenseless player's head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, even if the initial contact of the defender's helmet or facemask is lower than the passer's neck and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him" is prohibited.

Ok fine, I can see why some may view the hit as a penalty but I'm not going to call the guy a cheap shot artist or the hit cheap just because it was the punter. It wasn't cheap. He hits him in the high chest /lower neck area and goes up to the jaw. It's a good solid hit, 10 years ago it's being praised everywhere.

It's a penalty per the rules today, but it's not a cheap or dirty hit. There is a difference. Unless you think every defenseless player penalty is a cheap and dirty hit.