Whitner Hit on Thomas- Should It Be Outlawed?

Pivotal play on goal line in 49ers / Saints game was Whitner tackle on Thomas that caused fumble and knocked Thomas out of game.

Legality has been much debated over past few days and it seems clear within current NFL rules that hit was legal.

Question is should the NFL amend the rules?

 

The game will be absolutely ruined if there is a penalty every time two helmets touch. You can fault Thomas as much as Whitner for that play, he is the one who buried his helmet down to Whitner's head level. But that's what a running back is taught to do, get low.

 

Did you see one of the hits late in the Packers-Giants game on Rodgers that was called helmet-to-helmet? It was a terrific hit in which the helmets barely touched at the end of the hit, hardly at full speed. They need to be more consistent with the ruling. That's all I ask.

 

I don't remember the one you're talking about. Was Rodgers in the pocket or was he running downfield?

Quarterbacks are a different beast when it comes to NFL rules. They're the NFL's money-makers. I don't particularly like it but I understand it.

 

You can't outlaw hitting the helmet of a runner for the simple fact of there may be no other place to hit him. If he's running straight ahead and gets his pads low, where else can you hit him?

 

Whitner's hit on Thomas was just good defense and was a great play.

 

+1

I think that was the moment where the Saints thought, "Uh oh, we've got a game on our hands."

 

I'm a Niners fan and am admittedly biased, but that's the way football should be played.

 

You cannot legislate against these types of hits because there's a huge assumption there, that the defender/hitter knows where the runner's helmet will be, well a runner/receiver's body parts (incl. helmet) are moving all over the place at high speeds, how does the defender/hitter know where to avoid?

I understand outlawing hits against defenseless people like the QB and receiver, but not this.

 

Tom Jackson's analysis is incorrect. The referee thought it was helmet-to-helmet contact, not a late hit.

 

Agreeed on all counts. But it also helps demonstrate the NFL's approach to the issue. It doesn't look like there's a consistent approach, just micromanaging after the fact. See also: OT rules, new.

 

It is physically IMPOSSIBLE for a defender to pull up when he is a foot away and the offensive makes a sudden movement and two heads collide. It is like that Umenyiora hit on Rodgers that was flagged as Roughing the Passer -- it was a bullshit call all around and the second phantom call that went Green Bay's favor on Sunday.