Defense

[AppSt94]

Are there any former athletes other than myself who laugh at the posters who say that injuries cant cause a season like ours to take a turn for the worse? We are banged up more than I have ever seen. We have key players on both sides of the ball who have missed a lot of time and guys that are playing hurt...every team goes through injuries but we are dealing with is beyond your normal amt of injuries any given team has to deal with....where i am concerned tthe most with is our O-Line going into next season...we need to get a couple of good jucos or transfers who have the size and are ready to play. Our center needs to put on about 20 more lbs of mass

Nice post. One thing that I can say for our True Freshman Center is that I can't count a single bad snap on his part this year.

[WVAPPeer]

The rule over reaches. There was no "forcible" contact to the head or neck area. Fuller did what you are supposed to do which is put you face mask in the chest of the opposing player. The unfortunate side effect of a proper form tackle is that the crown of the helmet will come into contact with the opposing player. He didn't lead with his helmet. Once again, not arguing the timing of the hit. I am arguing the rule as it is written. In my opinion, they need to flag the play as under review, which will take place after the game by a panel of reviewers. If targeting is upheld, then the player misses the next game.

I absolutely agree the rule over-reaches ---

[AppGrad78]

While there is plenty of room to debate the merits of the rule, some seem to misunderstand what the rule consists of:

From SB Nation:

In college football, these things are targeting fouls, per the NCAA’s rulebook:

Making “forcible contact against an opponent with the helmet crown,” or the top of the tackler’s head.
Making “forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent.”

[bcoach]

I just knew someone would try and defend Fuller.

So defending our own players is a bad thing now?

No but defending their actions in this case most certainly is.

As I have stated before. The late hit is what it is. The targeting call is total BS. You has a coach, I am assuming from the screen name that you were/are, should know that you are taught to play to the whistle. Looking at the play, Fuller was already in the act of tackling and had lost the ability to slow himself up. Just my opinion. It’s easy to say that he could have held up, but as I saw it his body angle didn’t have his feet under him and wasn’t able to stop the progress.

I am not disputing his ability to stop. I am not happy with where he landed. He could have avoided putting his helmet where he did. We have to be smarter.

[AppSt94]

I just knew someone would try and defend Fuller.

So defending our own players is a bad thing now?

No but defending their actions in this case most certainly is.

As I have stated before. The late hit is what it is. The targeting call is total BS. You has a coach, I am assuming from the screen name that you were/are, should know that you are taught to play to the whistle. Looking at the play, Fuller was already in the act of tackling and had lost the ability to slow himself up. Just my opinion. It’s easy to say that he could have held up, but as I saw it his body angle didn’t have his feet under him and wasn’t able to stop the progress.

I am not disputing his ability to stop. I am not happy with where he landed. He could have avoided putting his helmet where he did. We have to be smarter.

He put his head square in his chest. Where else should he have put it?

[WataugaMan]

Speaking of putting things where they belong, is there a way (technique) Harrington can learn in order to not put the ball on the carpet? Last play at UMass he fumbles, his first touch yesterday he fumbles. Is he not securing the ball correctly, or what?

[AppSt94]

He is thinking too much. Didn't see the fumble at UMass, but the one yesterday was not securing the pitch before turning the eyes upfield.

[AppGrad78]

So defending our own players is a bad thing now?

No but defending their actions in this case most certainly is.

As I have stated before. The late hit is what it is. The targeting call is total BS. You has a coach, I am assuming from the screen name that you were/are, should know that you are taught to play to the whistle. Looking at the play, Fuller was already in the act of tackling and had lost the ability to slow himself up. Just my opinion. It’s easy to say that he could have held up, but as I saw it his body angle didn’t have his feet under him and wasn’t able to stop the progress.

I am not disputing his ability to stop. I am not happy with where he landed. He could have avoided putting his helmet where he did. We have to be smarter.

He put his head square in his chest. Where else should he have put it?

The rule clearly states a tackler can't lead with his helmet. If he buries his head in someone's foot, it's still a violation.

[AppSt94]

Again the rule is horrible. The helmet is always the instrument of initial contact in a proper tackle. Thus, the tackler is always leading with the helmet.

[WVAPPeer]

Again the rule is horrible. The helmet is always the instrument of initial contact in a proper tackle. Thus, the tackler is always leading with the helmet.

It's been a long time since I was hands-on involved with tackling techniques but my feeble old brain tells me your statement is not exactly correct - I don't remember being taught/teaching to lead with your helmet - in a perfect situation your helmet should go across the body of the ball-carrier, etc., drive your shoulder and wrap-up --- but then again that is when we wore leather helmets ---

[AppSt94]

Again the rule is horrible. The helmet is always the instrument of initial contact in a proper tackle. Thus, the tackler is always leading with the helmet.

It's been a long time since I was hands-on involved with tackling techniques but my feeble old brain tells me your statement is not exactly correct - I don't remember being taught/teaching to lead with your helmet - in a perfect situation your helmet should go across the body of the ball-carrier, etc., drive your shoulder and wrap-up --- but then again that is when we wore leather helmets ---

But are you still not technically leading with your head? I do know that the tackling technique that you are speaking of is taught in Rugby.

[WVAPPeer]

no not directly leading with your head --- not in a total head first way ---

[bcoach]

Again the rule is horrible. The helmet is always the instrument of initial contact in a proper tackle. Thus, the tackler is always leading with the helmet.

Well actually it is NOT always the instrument of initial contact in a proper tackle. In addition you may not like the rule but it is the rule. You can't pick up the flag when you don't like a rule.

[appbio91]

I still say it was a clean football mistake and deserved 15 yards.

[pbscotts]

The call was correct but Fuller was making a football move. Sometimes you can't place your hit perfectly moving at top speed.

[Budman2154]

Well the good news we only had 49 yards in penalties this game! Now, it is the defense’s lack of ability to defend the pass. Seems like it is something new each week

[The Rock]

I say we come in leading with both legs (think chuck Norris spearing through a windshield) on all tackles. No way that could be targeting if you lead with your feet

[App91]

So you thought it was clear cut, intentional hit to the head of a defenseless QB and deserved ejection?

The rule does not have the word intention in it, anywhere. look it up. Intention has nothing to do with it. Before you make such a statement, get your facts straight.

[App91]

Speaking of putting things where they belong, is there a way (technique) Harrington can learn in order to not put the ball on the carpet? Last play at UMass he fumbles, his first touch yesterday he fumbles. Is he not securing the ball correctly, or what?

Why not use the old technique from back in the Settle days? Have him walk around campus, everywhere he goes, everywhere, for the whole week carrying a football under his arm. As many a coach has said, "son, you will not fumble my football"

[appbio91]

So you thought it was clear cut, intentional hit to the head of a defenseless QB and deserved ejection?

The rule does not have the word intention in it, anywhere. look it up. Intention has nothing to do with it. Before you make such a statement, get your facts straight.

Wasn't quoting the rule and can work the Google if I need to look it up