See James...it's not that hard

[Shawn]

I know I will be in the great minority of Steeler fans on this one but I have no issue with the league cracking down on the use of the helmet during tacking. It should always be a flag in my book. Nothing good comes from the use of the helmet as a weapon. Is it fair, James has been the whipping boy and the league is inconsistant? No. Has he gotten some bad calls? Yes. With that said, we seen last night James take down the QB in a text book fashion. It's effective, and safer for both parties. Place the head to the side and drive through. It's not that hard. They teach you to tackle this way in the pee wee leagues.

I was encouraged to see James effective, and playing by the rules.

[Crash]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

They aren't cracking down on anyone. They are cracking down on Roger Goodell's favorite NFL cities biggest rival.

Three cheap shots on Ben in two weeks, no flags.

[Shawn]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

But, that isn't the point. I recognize the league has been inconsistent. The point is...James has been a whipping boy. He had better comply with the league rules. It's not that hard to not use the helmet as a weapon. Just tackle text book and the league can't fine or suspend him. We are going to need him.

[Oviedo]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

But, that isn't the point. I recognize the league has been inconsistent. The point is...James has been a whipping boy. He had better comply with the league rules. It's not that hard to not use the helmet as a weapon. Just tackle text book and the league can't fine or suspend him. We are going to need him.

Makes no sense to

You won't win that argument until the Rooney's orchestrate Goodell's removal.

[SidSmythe]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

I'm for the cracking down on on these hits, but Goodell still sucks and has mismanaged the whole issue.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

I wasn't taught to have my helmet to the side when tackling. I was taught to drive my facemask into the opponents chest, just like the Fitzpatrick hit. That was a textbook tackle according to all the coaches I ever had. Face up - Facemask to chest.

Regardless though....you are correct.....he has to tackle the way they want him to. He can still kick a QB's butt by hitting them with his shoulder and driving through them.

[sentinel33]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

no doubt about it. the heat turns up on goodell about the excessive fines he has levied out on harrison. so instead the refereeing is the instrument. that was a small execution. i mean ben is beat to sh!+ literally from head to toe now. Playing behind a patchwork offense and going into the game with a bad injury and then sustaining a blow to the face, giving him a broken nose. hat's off. it's a miracle that miller even was able to move after that hit. his head was almost ripped of his body. and the refs were fine with all of this. we have just seen the true character of this team. and really this has been there identity all year long. these dudes will fight through anything.

[Tomlinator]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

I know I will be in the great minority of Steeler fans on this one but I have no issue with the league cracking down on the use of the helmet during tacking. It should always be a flag in my book. Nothing good comes from the use of the helmet as a weapon. Is it fair, James has been the whipping boy and the league is inconsistant? No. Has he gotten some bad calls? Yes. With that said, we seen last night James take down the QB in a text book fashion. It's effective, and safer for both parties. Place the head to the side and drive through. It's not that hard. They teach you to tackle this way in the pee wee leagues.

I was encouraged to see James effective, and playing by the rules.

Shawn, I don't think you are in the minority at all. I think we can all agree on player safety being important. But the rules are applied inconsistently.

I think the Harrison was playing within the rules on the hits on Campbell and Fitzpatrick (same type of hit that knocked out Farve earlier this year with no call). And I don't recall a helmet to helmet from him since that Cleveland game.

[Jooser]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

I wasn't taught to have my helmet to the side when tackling. I was taught to drive my facemask into the opponents chest, just like the Fitzpatrick hit. That was a textbook tackle according to all the coaches I ever had. Face up - Facemask to chest.

Regardless though....you are correct.....he has to tackle the way they want him to. He can still kick a QB's butt by hitting them with his shoulder and driving through them.

Me too. Text book hit back in the days of old.

[plucko-steeler fan]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

Well I kinda see now after last night game where Harrison can make a clean hit on the Q.B. . That is fine when you dont have a moving target and the QB is just standing straightup in the pocket. However in the open field of play when your ducking and dodging and make sudden moves this way or that way to make a play, its a little tough to position your head on the side. Those other fines fall under this category I think and was no fault of Harrison. Its a tough call cuz no one likes when anyone gets hurt. I was terrified when Heath got hit and there was no flag thrown. That was blatenly obvious and I was afraid for the worse after looking at that replay. ALso Ben has taken a few shots that should of been called. Ben played with Steeler Pride last night and I was impressed with his grit and determination while playing hurt. The whole team stepped up. Now we must focus on the Bengals and take care of business.

[_SteeL_CurtaiN_]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

I wasn't taught to have my helmet to the side when tackling. I was taught to drive my facemask into the opponents chest, just like the Fitzpatrick hit. That was a textbook tackle according to all the coaches I ever had. Face up - Facemask to chest.

Regardless though....you are correct.....he has to tackle the way they want him to. He can still kick a QB's butt by hitting them with his shoulder and driving through them.

Same here, but I agree as well he has to adjust.

[ikestops85]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

Well I kinda see now after last night game where Harrison can make a clean hit on the Q.B. . That is fine when you dont have a moving target and the QB is just standing straightup in the pocket. However in the open field of play when your ducking and dodging and make sudden moves this way or that way to make a play, its a little tough to position your head on the side. Those other fines fall under this category I think and was no fault of Harrison. Its a tough call cuz no one likes when anyone gets hurt. I was terrified when Heath got hit and there was no flag thrown. That was blatenly obvious and I was afraid for the worse after looking at that replay. ALso Ben has taken a few shots that should of been called. Ben played with Steeler Pride last night and I was impressed with his grit and determination while playing hurt. The whole team stepped up. Now we must focus on the Bengals and take care of business.

Now I'm going to join the minority because I didn't see a thing wrong with the hit on Heath. Heath was falling so his head went down low and it got hit. This was the same hit as Harrison delivered on Massaquoi from the Browns. So if you didn't think that hit was a penalty I don't think you can think this hit was one. I don't see those hits being avoided unless you make it illegal for the DBs to knock the ball loose from the receiver.

[plucko-steeler fan]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

Well pro bowler I see what your saying and your right. I guess I was thinking about how the league views those hits now . But yeah I see your point.

[Shawn]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

I wasn't taught to have my helmet to the side when tackling. I was taught to drive my facemask into the opponents chest, just like the Fitzpatrick hit. That was a textbook tackle according to all the coaches I ever had. Face up - Facemask to chest.

Regardless though....you are correct.....he has to tackle the way they want him to. He can still kick a QB's butt by hitting them with his shoulder and driving through them.

Me too. Text book hit back in the days of old.

I hear what you are saying. I was taught head to the side. But, facemask is very different than top of the head. And I agree, Harrison has gotten some bum calls no doubt about it.

[Shawn]

Re: See James...it's not that hard

Well I kinda see now after last night game where Harrison can make a clean hit on the Q.B. . That is fine when you dont have a moving target and the QB is just standing straightup in the pocket. However in the open field of play when your ducking and dodging and make sudden moves this way or that way to make a play, its a little tough to position your head on the side. Those other fines fall under this category I think and was no fault of Harrison. Its a tough call cuz no one likes when anyone gets hurt. I was terrified when Heath got hit and there was no flag thrown. That was blatenly obvious and I was afraid for the worse after looking at that replay. ALso Ben has taken a few shots that should of been called. Ben played with Steeler Pride last night and I was impressed with his grit and determination while playing hurt. The whole team stepped up. Now we must focus on the Bengals and take care of business.

Now I'm going to join the minority because I didn't see a thing wrong with the hit on Heath. Heath was falling so his head went down low and it got hit. This was the same hit as Harrison delivered on Massaquoi from the Browns. So if you didn't think that hit was a penalty I don't think you can think this hit was one. I don't see those hits being avoided unless you make it illegal for the DBs to knock the ball loose from the receiver.

The problem comes when you lead with the top of the helmet. When a player falls, bad accidents can happen. We just seen how quickly a guy's career, ability to walk and life can end.