LB James Harrison Considering Retirement

[DraftBoy]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2010-10-20/james-harrison-mulling-retirement-in-wake-of-hit-fines


In the wake of new rules regarding hits to the head, Steelers linebacker James Harrison said he might have to give up playing football during an interview with Fox Sports Radio.

Harrison was fined $75,000 for a hit against Browns receiver Mohamed Massaquoi during the Steelers' Week 6 game. Massaquoi sustained a concussion on the play. Harrison also delivered a shot to Cleveland return specialist Joshua Cribbs that resulted in a concussion, but that play was not part of the NFL's fine and review.

What a complete load of bull****. What a baby, he should be ashamed for the way he plays football.

[Nighthawk]

Ummm, sure he'll give up the millions. He's just throwing a fit like a little kid who didn't get his way. He needs to shut the **** up and play!

[Mahdi]

Ashamed for what? Playing lights out every time he steps on the field? Massaquoi lowered his head and Harrison hit him with his shoulder.

The guy plays great football and plays football the way it was meant to be played and he gets fined 75k. THAT is BS.

They might as well play touch football.

[Dujek]

Bull****, there was nothing wrong with what Harrison did on Sunday. Hard hits that make the receiver or RB think twice about coming into your area of the field are exactly what you want from your LBs.

Harrison wasn't headhunting, unlike Merriweather who delivered the only dirty hit of the weekend.

[DraftBoy]

Ashamed for what? Playing lights out every time he steps on the field? Massaquoi lowered his head and Harrison hit him with his shoulder.

The guy plays great football and plays football the way it was meant to be played and he gets fined 75k. THAT is BS.

They might as well play touch football.

He hit helmet to helmet and the shot on Cribbs was just as bad. Watch the alternative angle, rather than the game feed angle on the Massaquoi hit.

[DraftBoy]

Bull****, there was nothing wrong with what Harrison did on Sunday. Hard hits that make the receiver or RB think twice about coming into your area of the field are exactly what you want from your LBs.

Harrison wasn't headhunting, unlike Merriweather who delivered the only dirty hit of the weekend.

I disagree, Harrison was clearly head hunting and has done it numerous times before. I hope he retires, dont need players like him in the game.

His quotes post game show he was doing it, just read the transcripts.

[Mahdi]

He hit helmet to helmet and the shot on Cribbs was just as bad. Watch the alternative angle, rather than the game feed angle on the Massaquoi hit.
I'll check it out... But really, these guys don't even want to make helmet to helmet hits. It's just as dangerous for them. It's football though, and sometimes you're going to hit a guy hard and it's not going to look good. How can you possibly regulate that. Make Harrison slow down and think before hitting?

How can you ask a defensive player to be defensive before hitting? It just makes no sense and they are really pussifying the game.

[Nighthawk]

Wow, people...Harrison was 100% headhunting on the Massoquoi hit...what game were you guys watching? He launches himself right at his head...he WAS going for the knockout blow.

[Mahdi]

I disagree, Harrison was clearly head hunting and has done it numerous times before. I hope he retires, dont need players like him in the game.

His quotes post game show he was doing it, just read the transcripts.
He echoed those comments to Sirius' Mad Dog Radio:

"Even if you want to say is was helmet-to-helmet, it really wasn't helmet-to-helmet. His helmet hit my shoulder pad if you slow everything down and look at it. We didn't actually hit helmets. It was the shoulder pad. And he lowered his target area by a good three feet. I mean, there's nothing really else I can do and that's why I'm so frustrated."

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday that he knows it will be difficult for Harrison to adjust to the league's emphasis against dangerous.

"But ... he'll find a way," Roethlisberger said.

The NFL's stiff fine came as it began stringent enforcement of rules against violent and flagrant hits -- especially those to the head and neck areas.

Harrison, a former Defensive Player of the Year, said he was concerned the league was going to far to legislate defensive players' technique:

"How can I continue to play this game the way that I've been taught to play this game since I was 10 years old? And now you're telling me that everything that they've taught me from that time on, for the last 20-plus years, is not the way you're supposed to play the game anymore. If that's the case I can't play by those rules. You're handicapping me."


I like his comments.

[DraftBoy]

He echoed those comments to Sirius' Mad Dog Radio:

"Even if you want to say is was helmet-to-helmet, it really wasn't helmet-to-helmet. His helmet hit my shoulder pad if you slow everything down and look at it. We didn't actually hit helmets. It was the shoulder pad. And he lowered his target area by a good three feet. I mean, there's nothing really else I can do and that's why I'm so frustrated."

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday that he knows it will be difficult for Harrison to adjust to the league's emphasis against dangerous.

"But ... he'll find a way," Roethlisberger said.

The NFL's stiff fine came as it began stringent enforcement of rules against violent and flagrant hits -- especially those to the head and neck areas.

Harrison, a former Defensive Player of the Year, said he was concerned the league was going to far to legislate defensive players' technique:

"How can I continue to play this game the way that I've been taught to play this game since I was 10 years old? And now you're telling me that everything that they've taught me from that time on, for the last 20-plus years, is not the way you're supposed to play the game anymore. If that's the case I can't play by those rules. You're handicapping me."


I like his comments.

I think he's telling his side of the story and the tape I saw does not show his helmet making no contact for Harrison.

As Ive said from the beginning a change to the way players hit must start at the pee-wee level with better and more porperly trained coaches, coaching proper technique. It must continue through HS and college as well.

[Nighthawk]

He echoed those comments to Sirius' Mad Dog Radio:

"Even if you want to say is was helmet-to-helmet, it really wasn't helmet-to-helmet. His helmet hit my shoulder pad if you slow everything down and look at it. We didn't actually hit helmets. It was the shoulder pad. And he lowered his target area by a good three feet. I mean, there's nothing really else I can do and that's why I'm so frustrated."

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday that he knows it will be difficult for Harrison to adjust to the league's emphasis against dangerous.

"But ... he'll find a way," Roethlisberger said.

The NFL's stiff fine came as it began stringent enforcement of rules against violent and flagrant hits -- especially those to the head and neck areas.

Harrison, a former Defensive Player of the Year, said he was concerned the league was going to far to legislate defensive players' technique:

"How can I continue to play this game the way that I've been taught to play this game since I was 10 years old? And now you're telling me that everything that they've taught me from that time on, for the last 20-plus years, is not the way you're supposed to play the game anymore. If that's the case I can't play by those rules. You're handicapping me."


I like his comments.


Really??? They teach kids to launch themselves at players heads??? Really??? Stupid comment and very untrue.

[madness]

Players like Harrison could start by actually trying to tackle somebody instead of trying to dislodge their head.

[Mahdi]

I think he's telling his side of the story and the tape I saw does not show his helmet making no contact for Harrison.

As Ive said from the beginning a change to the way players hit must start at the pee-wee level with better and more porperly trained coaches, coaching proper technique. It must continue through HS and college as well.
How does a guy remove his head from the equation exactly? The head is the upper most part of the body, so, it will always be there and making some sort of contact. I think the point is that the force of the hit came from the shoulder.

[Nighthawk]

How does a guy remove his head from the equation exactly? The head is the upper most part of the body, so, it will always be there and making some sort of contact. I think the point is that the force of the hit came from the shoulder.

Have you ever heard of "see what you hit"??? That's what kids are taught...not to launch themselves at the opponents heads.

[HAMMER]

NFL is getting sissified. When I was a kid we didn't have helmets, we wrapped a tube sock around our head.

[RockStar36]

What a crybaby.

I hope he does quit.

[T-Long]

They were discussing this on Sirius NFL Radio today...he isn't going to retire. He's just being a baby about it. The guy is a nutcase anyways

[madness]

How does a guy remove his head from the equation exactly? The head is the upper most part of the body, so, it will always be there and making some sort of contact. I think the point is that the force of the hit came from the shoulder.
"Head Up, Square Up, Wrap Up, and Drive"

Head should be up with his helmet to the side of the body and shoulder pad contacting the torso, waist, or legs with an emphasis on getting low. Anything else is considered poor form.

[TacklingDummy]

Easy fix, do away with helmets, except for the QB, and we will see how many people will lead with their heads.

[Nighthawk]

"Head Up, Square Up, Wrap Up, and Drive"

Head should be up with his helmet to the side of the body and shoulder pad contacting the torso, waist, or legs with an emphasis on getting low. Anything else is considered poor form.

It's fans and the "wow" factor. Just because it makes you say "wow", doesn't make it right.

[Pinkerton Security]

Here's my 2 cents...if Desean Jackson, one of the league's stars, hadnt gotten severely concussed, I dont think they would have made a big deal out of this crap. The league is only now responding to outside pressures...they want big hits but now need to try to do something about them because they look bad when former players are speaking out about concussion effects later in life and whatnot, so now they are taking a stand. The only time they ever make changes is when the mumbling about something turns into a roar, and Desean getting jacked up helped raise the volume.

[Nighthawk]

Easy fix, do away with helmets, except for the QB, and we will see how many people will lead with their heads.

Unfortunately, it's like this in every sport with helmets...look at hockey...the players have zero fear and have zero respect for the other players well being.

[Beebe's Kid]

NFL is getting sissified. When I was a kid we didn't have helmets, we wrapped a tube sock around our head.

When I was a kid we didn't have tube socks...we only had old bread bags with holes in them.

Leather helmets....bring em back.

[BuffaloBillsStampede]

I think this whole concussion thing is being blown way out of proportion. These guys no the risks involved in their job and if they dont like it they can come slice meat and cheese with me at Wegmans.

[RockStar36]

Maybe if they played correctly, this wouldn't be an issue. The NFL isn't being sissified. Plenty of hits are completely legal, clean and viscous.

You're not supposed to go helmet to helmet. That's how broken necks occur. This was taught to me in the first day of football practice.

[madness]

It's fans and the "wow" factor. Just because it makes you say "wow", doesn't make it right.

Absolutely. Harrison head hunts more in a single game than Patrick Willis has done in his entire career. Yet Willis has led the league in tackles in previous years and is the surest tackler in the game... go figure.

[OpIv37]

I think this whole concussion thing is being blown way out of proportion. These guys no the risks involved in their job and if they dont like it they can come slice meat and cheese with me at Wegmans.

I don't know- that job has it's hazards as well. I used to do it and I had a customer throw a sign at me over the price of a rotisserie chicken.

[wmoz11]

Harrison is known as being one of the dumber human beings on the planet. Remember when he refused to go to the White House after the Super Bowl win to meet the president because "he seems to only want us to come after we win the Super Bowl."

Dude is ******ed. There's some interesting stories about him here in Pittsburgh.

[Michael82]

The NFL has themselves and ESPN to blame for it, along with Madden NFL and all the other many companies that glorify the big hits.

[Michael82]

As for Harrison, I agree. He's being a big crybaby about it. He knows what he's doing is wrong, but he doesn't care. He's just as dirty as Rodney Harrison, IMO.

[Mahdi]

"Head Up, Square Up, Wrap Up, and Drive"

Head should be up with his helmet to the side of the body and shoulder pad contacting the torso, waist, or legs with an emphasis on getting low. Anything else is considered poor form.
So I guess Ronnie Lott had no clue how to tackle half the time. Take his bust out of the HoF.

[Ickybaluky]

This is laughable. The guy is going to pay the Steelers millions of dollars back and get a real job?

Sure. Sure he is.

[Bravo82]

The only protective equipment football players should have are a mouthpiece, jockstrap, and those padded ear guard things wrestlers wear. Shoulder pads & helmets are more weapons than they are safety items. Unfortunately that is too radical of a change for the NFL to consider it. It is only a matter of time before a star like Chris Johnson or Troy Polamalu is put in a chair for life and/or dies on the field in front of a national TV audience because of this crap.

[DMBcrew36]

Unfortunately, it's like this in every sport with helmets...look at hockey...the players have zero fear and have zero respect for the other players well being.

Not a fair comparison. Players can crack their heads open on ice and boards in hockey, not to mention the mechanics of being on skates versus having two feet on the ground.

[Pinkerton Security]

So I guess Ronnie Lott had no clue how to tackle half the time. Take his bust out of the HoF.

Its not that they dont know HOW to tackle, its that they would rather get the big hit that looks sweet. This has been an issue in the NFL for a long time...players are too lazy to tackle properly, especially DB's.

[Michael82]

Bull****, there was nothing wrong with what Harrison did on Sunday. Hard hits that make the receiver or RB think twice about coming into your area of the field are exactly what you want from your LBs.

Harrison wasn't headhunting, unlike Merriweather who delivered the only dirty hit of the weekend.

Harrison was headhunting on that play, but Merriweather's was worse. I would have liked to see him get the first suspension. His hit was horrible and definitely intentional.

[Mahdi]

Its not that they dont know HOW to tackle, its that they would rather get the big hit that looks sweet. This has been an issue in the NFL for a long time...players are too lazy to tackle properly, especially DB's.
Actually, no, it's not about just making it look sweet. If a receiver comes over the middle and attempts to catch the football, it's a DBs job to separate the ball from the receiver and get off the field, not wait for the receiver to make the catch and then perform a text book form tackle.

Ronnie Lott made a career out of separating receivers from the ball with good, solid, clean hits. Sometimes it ends up in an illegal hit, but that is sports.

[RockStar36]

Merriweather at least apologized for his hit and said he will play within NFL rules.

Unlike Harrison, who is currently whining and crying and pretending he did nothing wrong.

[Ickybaluky]

Though suspensions seem a little severe, they do have to do away with the head shots. You just can't lead with the head to tackle, using the helmet as a projectile. The tackler is putting himself in jeopardy of hurting his head and neck as well.

My only concern is now guys are going to be taking players low. Will they try to hit the legs and flip guys now? Players frown on guys taking shots at their legs, but this encourages it more.

[Dujek]

Merriweather at least apologized for his hit and said he will play within NFL rules.

Unlike Harrison, who is currently whining and crying and pretending he did nothing wrong.

Harrison did nothing wrong, there's no pretending about it.

Amazing how all the people who ***** and whine about our players not delivering "big hits" are now *****ing about other players delivering those same hits.

[trapezeus]

in a related story, Colin Campbell asked harrison today, "How are you on skates?"

[Ingtar33]

Wow, people...Harrison was 100% headhunting on the Massoquoi hit...what game were you guys watching? He launches himself right at his head...he WAS going for the knockout blow.

Completely agree... that was not proper tackling form, not by any stretch of the imagination. That hit was an attempt to blow Massoquoi's lid off and get on sports center.

There was nothing legal, clean or accidental about that hit.


Maybe if they played correctly, this wouldn't be an issue. The NFL isn't being sissified. Plenty of hits are completely legal, clean and viscous.

You're not supposed to go helmet to helmet. That's how broken necks occur. This was taught to me in the first day of football practice.

bingo. most of these hits are such poor tackling form it makes me want to puke. they ARE headhunting. If they use propper tackling form they won't get fined and they still will get to pop people hard enough to knock them out of their cleats.

Its not enough apparently to want to bring a guy down in his tracks and land a rib cracking body blow... these guys are aiming to knock someone's head off and get on sports center.

[Bill Cody]

Ashamed for what? Playing lights out every time he steps on the field? Massaquoi lowered his head and Harrison hit him with his shoulder.

The guy plays great football and plays football the way it was meant to be played and he gets fined 75k. THAT is BS.

They might as well play touch football.

No

[DraftBoy]

Completely agree... that was not proper tackling form, not by any stretch of the imagination. That hit was an attempt to blow Massoquoi's lid off and get on sports center.

There was nothing legal, clean or accidental about that hit.



bingo. most of these hits are such poor tackling form it makes me want to puke. they ARE headhunting. If they use propper tackling form they won't get fined and they still will get to pop people hard enough to knock them out of their cleats.

Its not enough apparently to want to bring a guy down in his tracks and land a rib cracking body blow... these guys are aiming to knock someone's head off and get on sports center.


Thank you! :bf1:

Good to see we got a coaches opinion on this. Harrison hits were dirty, and disgusting same with Merriweather. I can see the argument for Robinson's being more incidental but again he did not have proper tackling technique.

I dont think anybody is saying all contact being helmet to helmet should be a suspendable offense but I do think any player leading with their helmet or using it in a projectile manner should be fined and suspended.

[RockStar36]

Harrison did nothing wrong, there's no pretending about it.

Amazing how all the people who ***** and whine about our players not delivering "big hits" are now *****ing about other players delivering those same hits.

There is a difference between a clean, hard hit and a helmet to helmet hit. I'm sorry if you don't understand it. When someone breaks their neck, maybe you'll get it.

[DraftBoy]

There is a difference between a clean, hard hit and a helmet to helmet hit. I'm sorry if you don't understand it. When someone breaks their neck, maybe you'll get it.

The sad fact is, somebody is going to have to die on the field before this is truly taken seriously.

[RockStar36]

I suppose it's worth noting that Harrison's fine was more than the others because he's a repeat offender.

[madness]

So I guess Ronnie Lott had no clue how to tackle half the time. Take his bust out of the HoF.

I just watched a few highlight vids and I think I saw his helmet go above a guys pads maybe once while his head was always up and to the side. Thank you for supporting the argument. :up:

[TedMock]

Harrison is being ridiculous. The hit on Massaquoi was straight up dirty. I honestly did not feel the hit on Cribbs, though, was completely dirty. It deserved a penalty, but not a fine (which it did not get). It was a little head lead, but it was also Cribbs motion. Harrison should have at least pretended he was going to wrap on that one! The Meriweather hit (and attempted hits throughout the game) was by far the most egregious. He stopped, planted and launched without even bringing his arms up. It was ridiculous. I had no problem whatsoever with Robinson's hit though. His head turned at the last second, hit Jackson's chest, and it was not dirty in the least bit. Unfortunately he and Jackson were injured on the play. So, Meriweather - dirty. Harrison - two hits, 1 dirty, 1 stupid penalty. Robinson - not dirty.

[trapezeus]

Even if a player died on the field, i'm sure you would get a lot of press and a lot of the pomp and circumstance about how it really hit home. Then it would blow away.

The NFL is great at pagentry over the ugly side of their sport.

[EricStratton]

There is a difference between a clean, hard hit and a helmet to helmet hit. I'm sorry if you don't understand it. When someone breaks their neck, maybe you'll get it.


Like this young man.


http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2010/10/update_coming_on_legrand.html

[DraftBoy]

Like this young man.


http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2010/10/update_coming_on_legrand.html

And without a miracle it appears he'll never walk again...

[TedMock]

So I guess Ronnie Lott had no clue how to tackle half the time. Take his bust out of the HoF.

Ronnie Lott was nowhere near being a head hunter. He hit hard and used his shoulder. He also gave up a lot of hits because he was an intelligent player who knew the right time to hit and the right time to go for the ball. The guy has 63 picks to his credit. He didn't get those cheap shotting guys. Steve Atwater and Dennis Smith were also feared DB's at that time. Neither of them were headhunters either. Even the famed Atwater hit on Okoye was a shoulder hit. Heck, Troy Polamalu and Ray Lewis can lay the wood today and I don't beileve either is a consistent head hunter. I'm sure all of them had the occasional helmet-to-helmet and it's true that at times it's tough to avoid. But, in most cases, it's easy to avoid. These guys aren't playing intelligent or tough. They're playing stupid. Meriweather actually had plenty of time to play the ball, but chose not to. That's why he'll never be Ronnie Lott.

[HAMMER]

I don't know- that job has it's hazards as well. I used to do it and I had a customer throw a sign at me over the price of a rotisserie chicken.

It's more likely they threw the sign at you because you argued with them about the price of the rotisserie chicken and analyzed the chicken and it's shortcomings/virtues to death.

[Extremebillsfan247]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2010-10-20/james-harrison-mulling-retirement-in-wake-of-hit-fines



What a complete load of bull****. What a baby, he should be ashamed for the way he plays football.

He is right to a point that the restrictions on hits are becoming a little overbearing. Freak accidents do happen in a game where violence is commonplace. The only sure fire way to stop it is to not play the game at all. If defenses can't make tackles, what is the point of running them? Dirty hits should be penalized, but you cant put a clamp on violent hits when the premise of your game is violence intent. Sometimes rules do more to hurt the game in these matters than they do to prevent them.

What the league should do is make wearing the proper equipment for playing a violent game mandatory for everyone. How many times do you watch a game where players are not wearing the new concussion prevention helmets, or not wearing knee, or thigh pads? Pads are worn for a reason, just like the new retrofitted helmets are. If you fail to protect yourself, it is you who ultimately faces the consequence of that decision. The league shouldn't have to alter the game because players are not properly protected. That's my problem with it.

[Mr. Pink]

Harrison is a dirty player just like the other Harrison, Rodney was.

He goes out and head hunts every game.

[starrymessenger]

Ronnie Lott was nowhere near being a head hunter. He hit hard and used his shoulder. He also gave up a lot of hits because he was an intelligent player who knew the right time to hit and the right time to go for the ball. The guy has 63 picks to his credit. He didn't get those cheap shotting guys. Steve Atwater and Dennis Smith were also feared DB's at that time. Neither of them were headhunters either. Even the famed Atwater hit on Okoye was a shoulder hit. Heck, Troy Polamalu and Ray Lewis can lay the wood today and I don't beileve either is a consistent head hunter. I'm sure all of them had the occasional helmet-to-helmet and it's true that at times it's tough to avoid. But, in most cases, it's easy to avoid. These guys aren't playing intelligent or tough. They're playing stupid. Meriweather actually had plenty of time to play the ball, but chose not to. That's why he'll never be Ronnie Lott.He is also not nearly as talented. Takes terrible angles and frequently out of position. Vastly overrated IMO. I would suspend his lousy patriotic a$$.

[Nighthawk]

Not a fair comparison. Players can crack their heads open on ice and boards in hockey, not to mention the mechanics of being on skates versus having two feet on the ground.

Dude you're insane. Why do you think they have no problem running a guy against the boards? It's because they have no fear of the other player getting hurt...they think that all the equipment will protect them from any serious injury. Trust me, no helmets would result in less running/boarding hits in the NHL. That is a fact.

[Nighthawk]

I just watched a few highlight vids and I think I saw his helmet go above a guys pads maybe once while his head was always up and to the side. Thank you for supporting the argument. :up:

I was going to post the exact same thing, but you beat me to it. He must not have watched Lott too much.

[madness]

lol, Harrison skipped practice to mull over retirement. What an ass.

[billz83]

the merriwether hit was the only actual dirty play outta them all..i wish we had players like harrison on this team we wouldnt be this terrible..we need hard hittin guys like that..and them hitz is parta the game even the players are sayin it..punk*** goodell needa stop destroying the NFL with his power trip..i hope i see thoses kinda hits EVERY sunday! this is football not ****** soccer..

[Billz_fan]

Interesting show tonight on Inside the NFL, the boys had Jason Taylor as a guest. When the subject of these new rules and tackling came up I think it was James Brown who asked both Sapp and J Taylor what the coaches in the NFL had taught them as far as tackling is concerned and technique etc.

They both chuckled and said it never happens, Both men agreed that in all the years both have played in the NFL not one time were they coached on tackling and technique. In training camp or practice. They said the closest they ever came was hitting the sleds in practice.

[RockStar36]

Interesting show tonight on Inside the NFL, the boys had Jason Taylor as a guest. When the subject of these new rules and tackling came up I think it was James Brown who asked both Sapp and J Taylor what the coaches in the NFL had taught them as far as tackling is concerned and technique etc.

They both chuckled and said it never happens, Both men agreed that in all the years both have played in the NFL not one time were they coached on tackling and technique. In training camp or practice. They said the closest they ever came was hitting the sleds in practice.

Maybe it's because by the time they're in the NFL, it's common sense.

You're taught how to tackle on the first day of pee-wee football.

These football players are pissing me off. They just need to whine and ***** some more, in between taking their checks to the bank and cashing them in.

[madness]

Wow, I can't believe I actually agree with something that came out of Bruschi's mouth.


In a radio interview Monday, Meriweather said he did not intentionally hit Heap in the head with his helmet, that it was a split-second decision.

Bruschi isn’t buying explanations like that.

“Players are saying ‘Well I couldn’t control myself, that’s my instincts just to get that big hit.’ Don’t believe them,” Bruschi said. “Don’t believe them because they’re skilled enough to have enough athletic ability to say, ‘Listen, this is where I am, I need to make a decision now. I want to be there for my team [and not be suspended]. I’m turning and leading with the shoulder.’”

Bruschi, a former Patriots linebacker, admitted that he faced the reality of the consequences of making such a jarring hit during his playing days. In his interview with WEEI, he described launching himself into Todd Collins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=735) and breaking the Bills quarterback’s collarbone.

“That was my instance where I had a decision to make where, do I try to make the big hit or do I just try to tackle a guy?,” Bruschi explained. “At that point in my career I decided to launch myself toward his upper body and his head because at that point, you knew about not hitting quarterbacks helmet to helmet or anything like that but, once again, the seed wasn’t really planted in my head that there were serious ramifications for this.”
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4685502/bruschi-suspension-will-get-message-across

[Buffalogic]

People defending the harrison hit on massaqoi are ******ed. Both Harrison's feet were off the ground at the moment of helmet to helmet impact. Harrison saw him coming from a mile away and launched at the guys head like a missile while Massaqoi didn't see him at all. Totally unnecessary because the way the play was unfolding a huge collision was going to happen anyways, but Harrison should have shown some responsibility and not tried to kill the guy.

It wasn't even a bang-bang play. Harrison lined him up and tried to chop the guys head off. I'm surprised that massaqoi didn't break his neck.

Harrison is way too big and dangerous of a person to be that reckless. Have some responsibility for yourself and play the game without being a dick.

[madness]

NFL video on violent hits (http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2010/10/21/nfl-video-on-hits/)

<small>Posted by Chris Brown on <abbr title="2010-10-21T15:13:34+0000"> October 21, 2010 – 3:13 pm </abbr> </small>

The NFL sent a four-minute video to their players and coaches this week reinforcing what are illegal and what are legal hits along with the warnings as to what discipline would follow illegal and dangerous hits.
Here’s the video (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d81b80962/Player-safety) NFL players and coaches saw this week in the wake of the violent hits from last week’s action.

[Billz_fan]

Maybe it's because by the time they're in the NFL, it's common sense.

You're taught how to tackle on the first day of pee-wee football.

These football players are pissing me off. They just need to whine and ***** some more, in between taking their checks to the bank and cashing them in.

LOL, so what they are taught in Pee wee football by the neighbor down the street (who is coach) is what they are to carry through to the NFL ? or Maybe it's the high school gym teacher who doubles as football coach in school that we need to pin this on ? Ok, I see.

Big hits = Big reputation = Big name = Big money

If the NFL truely wants to legislate these hits out of the NFL they have to start re coaching these players who have obviously gone astray of the fundamentals at some point.

As far as the future goes kids need to be taught the fundamentals at the grass roots level.

I go to D team football every Saturday here in Amesbury, MA. My buddy is the coach. These are 4th graders. Guess what ? They are launching themselves around also. Making collisions instead of wrapping up.

Why ? they see it on the TV !!! Right , wrong or whatever it is what it is. They emulate the pro's.

[NC-BILLS44]

Retirement?!? Harrison is a drama queen!