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Question about Foster's ejection

westx

Well-Known Member
Dec 6, 2009
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I am a little confused on targeting when the runner has the ball. Whether it is a running back or a receive who caught the ball and is now plowing forward. I fully understand if somebody is defenseless, but, if a runner (whether running back, tight end, or scrawny receiver) is in full running motion, how is he defenseless. I mean, the runners are always running and putting their head down as they are about to pummel a defensive back. I would be much obliged if anybody can clarify this rule.

 
Well.....actually what he did was a perfect example of targeting. Wether intentional or not, leading with the crown of your helmet will earn you 4qtrs to think about it.
It doesn't even have to be helmet to helmet, remember spearing? Helmet to helmet is pretty automatic now.
From the top of the face opening, draw a circle like a monks haircut and that is what they consider crown area. Kinda a big catch all.
I don't like it but if we're going to call it then it should be consistent. Awesome lick, but he earned it.
 
I hate the word targeting. Its what every defensive player does when making any tackle. You "target" the ball carrier or receiver in order to hit and tackle them. "Intentional" head to head contact is a much better term and approach to safety and Foster wasnt doing that.
 
Well.....actually what he did was a perfect example of targeting. Wether intentional or not, leading with the crown of your helmet will earn you 4qtrs to think about it.
It doesn't even have to be helmet to helmet, remember spearing? Helmet to helmet is pretty automatic now.
From the top of the face opening, draw a circle like a monks haircut and that is what they consider crown area. Kinda a big catch all.
I don't like it but if we're going to call it then it should be consistent. Awesome lick, but he earned it.
I agree that it should be called consistently. I also agree about not using the crown of the helmet-it is very dangerous and has caused paralysis. But, I just don't understand why a running back or tight end can do it. I am okay with the rule, but, I really thought that once you became a runner, it was fair game.
 
I agree that it should be called consistently. I also agree about not using the crown of the helmet-it is very dangerous and has caused paralysis. But, I just don't understand why a running back or tight end can do it. I am okay with the rule, but, I really thought that once you became a runner, it was fair game.
Ohhhhh, I see where you're coming from now. As far as I understand it, it doesn't matter if you're tackling or running the ball. How many times has it been called on a rb? I only remember 1 time on sports center and it was a blindsided block.
Most of the time the ball carrier is avoiding the defender anyways so it should be pretty rare. Besides, I'd hate football if they called it everytime someone lowered their head and blasted up the middle.
 
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I hate that players are ejected. Players should at least get a warning before being ejected. Foster did what he has been coached to do his whole life, separate the ball from the ball carrier. The USC player’s hit on Sam, same thing. If you want to penalize 15 yards, go ahead. But to eject a kid that has worked hard all week and flown down from CA to Austin, only to be ejected because of a questionable hit? That’s crap. Neither hit was dirty. The rule sucks.

Also, the health of the defender needs to be considered. If Foster opens up there to deliver the hit, basically from a stationary position, he risks shoulder injury or neck injury. Instead, he stayed compact to protect his body. There is no time to make that desision. Self-preservation takes over.
 
Targeting is like pornography. It's difficult to describe, but I know it when I see it.



And that's the bullsh!t part about it. There's no way to definitively define targeting. 8 got knocked the fvck out, but he still held onto the ball. Targeting it subjective, not objective. It's for pu$$ies.
 
I hate the targeting rule as well and hate even more the ejection part of it. However, many here have been talking including myself that Texas has been soft the first couple of games so that hit, targeting or not was needed for that defense. Someone needed to hit someone hard.
 
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