01-13-2016, 08:09 PM
(01-13-2016, 07:37 PM)Sociopathicsteelerfan Wrote: Basically the difference is this. Wheaton caught the ball over the middle and was hit, almost immediately, while traveling in the exact same direction as he was moving when he caught the ball. He had not made the important, "football move", that would indicate he was in a position to protect himself. In today's NFL that's going to draw a flag every time. BTW it occurring over the middle increases the likelihood of a flag whether you think that's fair, right, correct or not.
Gio caught the ball in the flat with his back to the defense. He then took four steps, not necessarily forward but steps nonetheless, turned and was hit by Shazier. This type of hit is far less likely to draw a flag as the player in question has made a, "football move", in this case turning upfield, that would indicate he has had time to protect himself. Even people conscious of the outside the tackle box rule have since stated the hit was legal, hence the official's obvious reluctance to throw a flag in real time. Lastly, and this is true whether you like it or not, a RB so close to the LOS is much less likely to draw a flag for a hit than a WR over the middle down the field. Again, it may not be fair or right but it is reality.
You might want to revisit that. Wheaton had time to get 3 feet down and brace for the impact. That's why Williams made contact with his helmet. Gio didn't have time to brace for anything.
It was reported by Dave Lapham, though unsubstantiated, that Marv was told by Parry that there shouldn't have been a flag on that play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W--KlLWNlao
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