Next up could be making an example of Meriweather.
NFL vice president of operations Ray Anderson said Tuesday that Meriweather, the New England safety, could be suspended without pay for the blow that leveled Baltimore's Pro Bowl tight in the Patriots' overtime victory Sunday.
Meriweather was penalized for a personal foul for leading with his helmet on the play, but the NFL's announcement Tuesday of stricter enforcement of player safety on defenseless players means such hits will be subject to ejection and fine and suspension.
"That in our view is something that was flagrant," Anderson said during an interview on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" show. "It was egregious and effective immediately, it's something that's going to be looked at a very aggressive level, which could include suspension without pay, that's correct."
David Whitley: NFL Must Educate | Kevin Blackistone: Police Hits
Sunday's highlights shows were littered with some of the most violent collisions of the season, including several others -- notably Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison on Cleveland receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and Atlanta cornerback Dunta Robinson on Philadelphia receiver DeSean Jackson -- that resulted in concussions, which can lead to long-term health issues.
Because officiating crews have up-close views of the plays, Anderson said the league will bring them into the conversations regarding potential punishment for illegal hits.
"We will ask the officials, and the officials have the authority currently in egregious and flagrant situations frankly to eject," Anderson said. "So their authority in those situations will be clarified, but certainly the league office will determine internally with input from our officials what is the appropriate level of discipline up to and including suspension for a game or multiple games depending on certain circumstances."
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Hit on Jackson was not illegal. Yes, it was violent, but it was a shoulder to chest hit after he had taken two steps in the direction of the defender. No helmet to helmet, not a defensless reciever. Anyone who says it was helmet to helmet or that Jackson was defensless is blind.
What are you talking about, I saw the helmet to helmet hit on tv. Other sportscasters have said it was a dity hit and he got sat down for rest of the game by his coach. I think you better go see a eye doctor and have him check yours eyes out.
Hit on Jackson was not illegal. Yes, it was violent, but it was a shoulder to chest hit after he had taken two steps in the direction of the defender. No helmet to helmet, not a defensless reciever. Anyone who says it was helmet to helmet or that Jackson was defensless is blind.
Hit on Jackson was not illegal. Yes, it was violent, but it was a shoulder to chest hit after he had taken two steps in the direction of the defender. No helmet to helmet, not a defensless reciever. Anyone who says it was helmet to helmet or that Jackson was defensless is blind.
I think the NFL should ban the fake dreads so these guys can see what they are doing.
Players have become bigger, stronger, and faster than in years past, and with that the game has gotten faster, too. As a result, the threat of serious injury, permanent damage, and long-term health problems has increased significantly. The only thing left for the NFL is to change the direction and the name of the league to the NFFL - the National Flag Football League.
The only way the NFL can eliminate serious injuries is to change how the game is played, then change the name of the league to the NFFL - the National FlgG Football League.
There wasn't even a flag thrown on the hit to Todd Heap. The referees are terrible this year. No consistency. Probably the worst I have ever seen. For as much money as the ref's make they should certainly be held accountable also.
I agree with about the refs, they are not calling every thing that happens on the field. There have been some bad calls this year and we are not half way thru the season.
Actually there was a flag thrown for that hit and a 15 yard penalty was given.
I'd rather these thugs take out their violent nature on the football field, rather than in the neighborhoods they come from. A hit during a football game is better than the rapes and shootings that inner city black folk have come to exemplify. I can't wait wait for idiots to call me racist rather than hold accountable the people in this country who are the real problem.
Your racism doesn't bother me half as much as your idiocy does. You're an embarrassment to America.
g poland great comment
why not redesign helmets where theyre made of an inflatable, soft shell instead of the current, unyielding, hard shell?
as long as helmets remain as is they will continue to be used as a weapon of concussion. ironic, isn't it?
HOW CAN THEY DETERMINE WHAT IS A CRITICAL HIT WHEN THEY CAN`T CALL AN ENCROACHMENT PENELTY ON HOUSTON,BUT INSTEAD CALL A FALSE START ON KC.ALSO HOW CAN YOU MISS A BAD OFFENSIVE PASS INTERFERNCE CALL AND CALL IT ON THE DEFENSE.HOW WILL THE REFS BE ABLE TO DETERMINE A DANGEROUS HIT AND A FALSE START?
The SOB took 2 other shots at Heap but missed. Yea, suspension should send the right message. Also, he should have been ejected at the time of the hit.
The NFL needs to stop hits on players after they are down by contact. This happens several times in every NFL game.
It's a rough and tough sport! Remember, these guy's dont have to play in the NFL!!!
This is getting out of control, it is all about money!!!!! The owners do not want there big name players hurt, because they would lose out on ticket sells, if the team can not produce on the field. This FOOTBALL, you did not have all this crying about hits on the Quarterbacks, receivers, etc.... in the days of the Steel Curtain, Purple People Eaters, Dick Buckus, Decon Jones, he even used casting material on his hands during games. Again this all about the money, tickets and players salaries are so high, and I mean rookies right out of college, with NO NFL playing time getting Million dollar contracts, you want to change and control the game, stop the million dollar contracts for rookies, control the owners, and tell the players you play at your own risk. With all the rules dealing with what you can and can not do to receivers, quarterbacks, etc..., and now this, I am not going to another game. I can go to my local high school and watch powder puff game, and not pay a dime for it.
If you watch closely, you will see that there is actual intent by some of these criminally, no brian, cowardly, s heels . They should be thrown out by all leagues. Send a message. The NFL should be ashamed to allow this to be part of the sports show that they suck alot of money out of people for. Pro sports really are getting boring and out of hand, not to mention, too commercial, and the over all talent is lacking along with cry babying immoral behavior. For my money........COLLEGE SPORTS IS A MUCH BETTER CHOICE............REALLY!