Unnecessary Roughness?

by ShaunHillQB1 on Nov 3, 2010 10:30 AM PDT

I was blown away by the two unnecessary roughness calls on 49er defenders for hitting the quarterback during last Sunday's 49er-Bronco game. I understand the need to protect the quarterback and I agree that helmet to helmet contact is unnecessary and can lead to serious health issues. However, both hits that received unnecessary roughness calls did not involve a helmet to helmet hit, but rather the defender’s hand grazing Orton’s helmet.

On the first call, Manny Lawson was rushing the edge. Since the offensive tackle was pushing him away from the pocket, the best Lawson could do was extend his arm and hope for an arm tackle of Orton. It’s clear that Lawson’s arm was level with Orton’s mid-section when he made his move for the sack, but once Orton saw he was in trouble he ducked down and sat on his butt. This caused Lawson’s hand to hit the top of Orton’s helmet and give the Broncos 15 years and a first down. Orton was unhappy about the hit to the head and lobbied for the unnecessary roughness call, even though it was obvious that the blow to Orton was minor.

On the second call, a 49er defender (Lawson again?) was chasing down Orton as he rolled out toward the side line looking for an open receiver. Orton had the ball up by his head and was ready to throw so the 49er defender tried a tomahawk chop to force the fumble. Again Orton felt the pressure and turn away, which caused the defender to hit Orton’s helmet. Like the previous hit, Orton was unhappy and got the unnecessary roughness call.

So I have two questions about unnecessary roughness (not the current wording of the rule, but how you think it should be defined):

Does intention matter?

In both cases the penalized 49er defender was in no way trying to make a big hit on the quarterback.

Does it matter if the quarterback took a hard hit (I understand a hard hit can be difficult to define)?

In my opinion, neither hit caused Orton any more harm than a legal hit to the midsection. I’m sure Orton would rather have his helmet slapped a hundred times before taking another blow like the one that nearly knocked him out of the game, which was legal (as it should be).

What do you guys think?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I think the league has to review these calls. If the QB intentionally ducks down to avoid a defender and the defender’s hand hits their head, the QB should be fined or else QBs will use this to their advantage making it difficult to be a defender.

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect ___?__ to be super so soon. Alex Smith is no longer expected to do much for this team in the future... on to the next one!!

by bayboy on Nov 3, 2010 10:50 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

red'd

Can u c coach sing's vision? I do!......We all know PATRICK WILLIS is our future!
May 12 2010 comment of the day award winner on the nuggets!

by DreZ on Nov 3, 2010 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions

i think he hit his shoulders first then his hand slid to hit his helmet.

if it was not for two weeks ago, i do not even think they would have been called.

both shady penalties

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Nov 3, 2010 11:52 AM PDT reply actions

Leagues Rules suck right now

It’s seems every week a letter of the law ruling reveres a good play. Yet the Commissioner had an emergency meeting to change the rules on hitting which came out ambiguous at best.

"Coach, it came down like a hail marry"

by bignerd on Nov 3, 2010 11:59 AM PDT reply actions

The rules didn't change

by See Jay on Nov 3, 2010 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions

What was hoopla about?

"Coach, it came down like a hail marry"

by bignerd on Nov 3, 2010 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions

the rules might not have changed

But the ferocity of enforcement has definitely changed. The league was perfectly clear that they were not changing the rules, but they were going to enforce them much tougher from here on out.

Personally, I think the Manny Lawson penalties were BS. If the league really wants to have the game called like that, they are going to be pissing off a lot of fans and players. Pretty soon QBs are just going to run around trying to “ram” their head into defenders to get auto 1st downs.

by pt33 on Nov 3, 2010 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions