Comments on: Eric Smith Suspended and Fined

By: SackDance99

SackDance99 — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:35:00 +0000

There’s so much wrong with the fine and suspension and everyone has pointed that out. I have one other problem, what was Smith supposed to do and how should he try to tackle a WR going up for a ball in the future? It seemed to me that he wanted to hit Boldin with his shoulder, which has to be done with sufficient force to make sure the WR doesn’t come down with the ball. Rhodes’s hit lowered Boldin’s head. Should Smith now low bridge players? That would flip them and make a severe leg or head injury more possible than a high body hit, which is calculated to prevent a catch, not injure a player. A low bridge on a defenseless player, traditionally, is considered a dirty play…like on Coach in “The Longest Yard.” A perfectly timed hit at the waist would likely result in a reception. So, what’s Smith supposed to do in the future?

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:51:06 +0000

I cannot see anything wrong with what Smith did. He was aiming to hit Bolden in the chest and it is just bad luck for Bolden that Rhodes knocked him down into Smiths hit. What happened to paying the price for going down the middle? I thought the NFL was a contact sports league, I guess I was wrong.

By: Jose the Jet

Jose the Jet — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:54:47 +0000

its very difficult to know whne something is or isnt deliberate in football. it all looks deliberate to me. the nfl using the word launching is ridiculous. it all looks like launching. sometimes you launch your shoulder. other time your elbow.sometimes you dive or launch to make a tackle. the penalty is polically correct. tey’ve done it before so they need to be consistent.

perfect timing for a bye. dont you think? 3 winable games w/ rest. these games can make or break us!!!

By: James in TN

James in TN — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:56:20 +0000

Look this is total BS!!! Why? Smith gets a crazy fine. The N.O. coach gets fined for criticizing the refs. Jerry Jones owner gets a fine for criticizing the refs. The Patriots however break the rules yet again by getting the fans at Foxborough to interupt pregame walkthroughs for the Dolphins with chants and the like which violate league rules , and yet no penalty . Once again just like destroying evidence that the Pats cheated the commish proves he is a Pats fan. That’s why we got a crazy fine, he is a Bellicheat groupie. Goodell loves him some Bellicheat!

By: Steve in Philly

Steve in Philly — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:28:53 +0000

I think the fine is okay but the suspension is a little excessive. I don’t necessarily think it was a malicious act on the part of Smith but it’s obvious they are making an example of him. If this protects someone else from actually getting hit on purpose with malicious intent, then I think it’s worth it. That was a scary moment.

And yes, I think Drew Coleman should be suspended as well. Maybe we can clone Lowery or something to take that spot.

By: Bent

Bent — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:13:36 +0000

My take is that Smith didn’t intend to cause injury, but I think the NFL is right to fine and suspend him, just as a further deterrent for anyone wanting to attempt to make a hit of that type that could seriously hurt someone. If guys know they’ll be suspended for a hit like this, even if it was not really deliberate then maybe there will be less recklessness in future. Letting him off would send the wrong message.

Of course, it sucks to lose a defensive starter if he doesn’t really deserve it, but is being made an example of, but that’s a price worth paying IMO. I’m sure everybody’s reaction would be different if it were Rhodes that was suspended though.

It was a heck of a hit. I’ll say that much. Thank goodness they are both apparently OK.

By: Matt W.

Matt W. — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:13:17 +0000

You guys are nuts. He lowered his head and drove it into Boldins. I was once told that a spear (not sure if they use that term anymore) was when you used the crown of your helmet and you lower your head in a manner that you can’t make eye contact upon impact. Smith is guilty. 50K may be excessive, but that was blatent. Didn’t even considered using his shoulder and lined him up from about 5 yards out.

And Go Jets.

By: sjfalcon2001

sjfalcon2001 — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:19:30 +0000

The Suspension is excessive, but I have no problem with the fine. There was no intent here and the helmet to helmet was incidental because of the Rhodes hit. In slow motion it looks horrific, but watch it at full speed. There’s no way Smith can make the adjustment in mid air. Smith may not appeal though because he probably wouldn’t be able to play anyway. He got a concussion out of the hit too, and it usually takes a couple of weeks to recover from that.

And while it has nothing to do with this hit, I have to agree with stricter penalties for officials, particularly the Referees when they blow a major call (like the Chargers-Broncos debacle). We need full time referees who are studying this stuff year round to avoid these kind of mistakes

By: Travis

Travis — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:34:01 +0000

The NFL also said that Smith launched himself at Boldin. It looks like if Rhodes hadn’t hit Boldin, Smith may have launched himself but when they make contact it looks like his feet are still touching the ground, at least to me. I agree that this penalty seems excessive.

By: dakar

dakar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:53:18 +0000

i also think it was the hit by rhodes ( who did his job )that pushed boldwin’s head towards smith who was just trying to make a play…who lead with his head but it wasn’t a deliberate head shot at all…like matt said…if rhodes didn’t make the hit 1st smith would have hit boldwin in the chest…i also agree the fine was to exagerated and the suspension was going to far…but becuz it was a brutal looking hit smith had to be made an example of…and bass…i disagree about smith being in wrong place at the wrong time as usual…he was in the right place at the right time making that pick and the hit on boldwin was just trying to make a play that cost him dearly…just my thoughts…