Bullcrap Targeting Call

[SuperHornet]

Ohio State WR coming back to block a defender CLEARLY leading with his shoulder just got tossed for targeting. That was in NO way targeting. Idiot zebras. SMH....

[GannonFan]

Ohio State WR coming back to block a defender CLEARLY leading with his shoulder just got tossed for targeting. That was in NO way targeting. Idiot zebras. SMH....

I agreed, he led with the shoulder and the intent was clear. Just because the helmets make contact doesn't change that he led with the shoulder.

[SuperHornet]

That said, my objection to this is STRICTLY related to how this particular group of officials handled the call.

There was a call in the SD-NE game last night (which I heard about later) that could EASILY have been handled in the same fashion (unnecessary roughness penalty with video review to determine if targeting was involved). There WAS no video review, as the NFL doesn't provide for that, and it cost one of the teams a pick six. The bad part about the NCAA version of the rule is that the penalty stands even if the review results in calling off the ejection for targeting. If the review shows that the guy who threw the flag screwed the call up, even the 15 yards should be called off....

[CAA Flagship]

Ohio State WR coming back to block a defender CLEARLY leading with his shoulder just got tossed for targeting. That was in NO way targeting. Idiot zebras. SMH....

I agreed, he led with the shoulder and the intent was clear. Just because the helmets make contact doesn't change that he led with the shoulder.

Nice tackling technique when you lead with your shoulder.
Wrap the arms, dammit.

[Grizalltheway]

I agreed, he led with the shoulder and the intent was clear. Just because the helmets make contact doesn't change that he led with the shoulder.

Nice tackling technique when you lead with your shoulder.
Wrap the arms, dammit.

You should apply to be ODU's DC...

[GannonFan]

I agreed, he led with the shoulder and the intent was clear. Just because the helmets make contact doesn't change that he led with the shoulder.

Nice tackling technique when you lead with your shoulder.
Wrap the arms, dammit.

He was blocking on the play. If he wrapped the arms he'd be called for holding.

[Rob Iola]

I thought the targetting rules changed a bit for the situation where someone is coming back towards their own goal line while blocking on returns?

[GannonFan]

I thought the targetting rules changed a bit for the situation where someone is coming back towards their own goal line while blocking on returns?

The play in question in the Ohio St game wasn't a return - the QB had scrambled out to his right and was going down the sideline, and the WR came back from upfield and put a huge hit on a trailing defender. Turned and led with the shoulder, and at some point the two helmets naturally came together, but the refs ruled tagetting, upheld it on replay (despite the two commentators saying he led with the shoulder) and the kid was booted for the rest of the game (call was in the first half so no carryover to the Sugar Bowl).

[andy7171]

Can we just refer this to the further pussification of the sport?