After review, the call on the field is bullshit
“Schaub’s helmet pops off like a champagne cork which lends to the illusion that he was hit even harder than he actually was. Helmets fly off all the time these days because players don’t strap them on tightly anymore. I might be for effect because it certainly worked in Schaub’s favor. “
Joe Mays may have deserved a fine for his brutal hit on Matt Schaub in last Sunday’s game between the Texans and the Broncos, but he certainly didn’t deserved to be suspended one game. Players are hauling ass out there and can’t be expected to pull up when they’re in guided missile mode. But still, if they’re not in control and something like this happens, a fine can be expected. A one game suspension however, is bullshit for the following reasons:
-If you watch the hit, Schaub’s shoulder is turned toward Mays as he comes in. At the last second, he turns and exposes his chest and ultimately the front of his helmet. Had he not turned, Mays would have hit him on the side and would have never made contact with his head.
-Because Schaub braces for impact, he lowers his head –a natural reaction- and Mays rides up from just below the neck to Schaub’s chin area.
-Schaub’s helmet pops off like a champagne cork which lends to the illusion that he was hit even harder than he actually was. Helmets fly off all the time these days because players don’t strap them on tightly anymore. I might be for effect because it certainly worked in Schaub’s favor.
-Ok. So part of his ear did come off, but that’s because his helmet wasn’t on tight. See above. If he had his helmet on correctly, his ear would still be its natural, lovely shape.
-The replacement referees were dullards and while so many other brutal, cheap shots were not being called, they sure were quick to call this one. Would this have been called if the regular refs were back? Probably. But so would have something else that may have resulted in this play not developing at all. Certainly after reviewing it, the NFL should have seen this differently.
Mays should be fined. Just like Rahim Moore was two weeks before. And in Moore’s case, he made a high speed play and was reckless in leading with his helmet. And just like with Joe Mays, he did the same thing: he was going full speed and got caught in a bit of unfortunate timing that resulted in an almost cartoonish, helmet blast off. Which is what surely made the league take notice. Mays is appealing the suspension and he should. Paying a fine for unintentionally destroying Matt Schaub is understandable. But a one game suspension is unacceptable based on what actually happened. After further review, the call on the field is bullshit.
