Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

[ParanoidAndroid]

First, I'm not blaming Tee Higgins. Not in the slightest. There's no way he intended what ended up happening to Damar. So let's get that out of the way.

On the Hamlin tackle, Higgins lowers his head but instead of avoiding a hard tackle in that manner, he launched into Hamlin.

The head may not be lowered in order to use the helmet as a weapon. That is the rule for players on both sides of the LOS.

Offensive players lower their head to avoid hard tackles but sometimes they use the head to punish tacklers.

Will the NFL now begin enforcing this on offensive players?

If they are serious about player safety, I think they should for obvious cases like this one where they are not attempting to avoid contact.

[TacklingDummy]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

I've watched it many times. I'm not sure if it's Higgins helmet or shoulder that hits Hamlin in the chest.

Offensive players shouldn't be able to lower their heads. Unless it's a QB sneak.

[TacklingDummy]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

Here's 2 dirty plays by the Bengals last night. Especially the one on Josh.
The other one reminds me of Gronk/Tre.

The Bengals were playing dirty last night. These 2 videos are proof of that and thinking about it today pisses me off. Just praying that Damar Hamlin has a quick recovery, Taron Johnson too �� pic.twitter.com/Pd2RKQf3JF

— Crazy Bills Fan (@CrazyBillsFan) January 3, 2023

[Cali512]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

Just because you say "im not blaming Higgins" doesnt mean your not blaming higgins

[Skooby]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

Yeah the Bengals played dirty games, Buffalo just doesn’t do that.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

Just because you say "im not blaming Higgins" doesnt mean your not blaming higgins

Set to ignore. I don't need this nonsense.

[Cali512]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

Set to ignore. I don't need this nonsense.

Your obviously not saying he intentionally gave him a heart attack. Your implying higgins somehow did something wrong

Higgins lowers his head but instead of avoiding a hard tackle in that manner, he launched into Hamlin.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

Please don't quote him. I ain't reading it.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

So, back to the topic.

Should the NFL start directing referees to enforce the rule on offensive players?

[Cali512]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

So, back to the topic.

Should the NFL start directing referees to enforce the rule on offensive players?

Hamlin tackled high, if higgins did what you wanted him to do, they would've literally ran into eachother face first


Your trying to hide behind this because you know your wrong and its stupid

This happens every play, every moment, nearly every play

Your wrong

[TacklingDummy]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

Should the NFL start directing referees to enforce the rule on offensive players?

Here's another thing to think about. Why do offensive players get away with stiff arm's to the facemask?

[Forward_Lateral]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

1000% wrong.

Higgins didn’t do a single thing wrong.

[Goobylal]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

Yes they should and likely will enforce it. It's called against defenders.

[YardRat]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

Yeah the Bengals played dirty games, Buffalo just doesn’t do that.

Diggs did the same thing on the Bills first play of the game.

There should have been penalties called on Hurst for the TJohnson hit and Hutchinson(?) for rolling into Josh's lower legs. Both were cheap and dirty.

If a player lowers their head and initiates contact with the crown of the helmet, yes it should be called. Regardless of whether or not Higgins did it maybe this incident will encourage the league to take a closer look and be more vigilant when the penalty is committed by a ball carrier.

[Ingtar33]

Re: Lowering the Head and Using the Helmet as a Weapon

see this is why i'm not on twitter.

the first video is called "finishing a block" the second video is altered, the speed changed, to make it appear as if the defender stopped his roll and then launched himself into ja.

watch the play in real speed, there is no stop then launch. he's protecting his broken right hand, by trying not to fall onto it.