Week 11 of the 2013 NFL season was marred by controversial penalties. On Sunday afternoon, 49ers' linebacker Ahmad Brooks was slapped with a roughing-the-passer penalty when he aggressively tackled New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees and forced a fumble that was recovered by San Francisco. The Monday night game ended when New England quarterback Tom Brady's last second prayer was intercepted in the endzone by Carolina safety Robert Lester sealing the Panthers' 24-20 victory. However, the back judge threw a penalty flag that would've appeared to give the Patriots another chance with either a holding or defensive pass interference penalty against Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly. Offcials conferred, and waved off the penalty, officially ending the game. While I still don't have an opinion on the Monday night fiasco, and probably won't until Sports Science's John Brenkus and Co. break down the play and give scientific evidence as to whether or not Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski could've caught the pass. It's the Sunday afternoon penalty that bothers me the most.
What happened to football? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for player safety, but Brooks' hit on Brees' was one of the cleanest, violent tackles I've seen this year. Brooks simply wrapped his arms around Brees' shoulders. While the shorter Brees started towards the ground, Brooks' arms slipped around Brees' neck and chin strap. Causing a fumble, which was recovered by the Niners, with a 20-17 lead. Brooks was flagged for a "roughing-the-passer, forcible blow to the head of the quarterback". Upon further review, at no point did Brook hit Brees' head illegally. He didn't hit Brees helmet to helmet, and merely hit the chest plate of his shoulder pads against Brees' helmet. I'm sorry, that flag never should've come out.
Quarterbacks, kickers, and punters are protected too much by the rules of the NFL. While I agree a cheap shot on either player is unnecssary, it's embarrassing to think that this era of passers such as Brady and Brees have changed the league into a very soft league. Defensive pass rushers are constantly flagged for merely putting their hand on the head of a quarterback. No offence, but when was the last time a fiberglass helmet couldn't protect against an open hand? Hell, we call players stupid for punching a guy with his helmet on. Why? Because we all know it'll hurt the players' hand more than the opponent's head.
I admire the numbers that Brady and Brees have been able to put up through their illustrious careers, but it is their sensitivity to being hit that keeps them from being in the Brett Favre, Troy Aikman, and Peyton Manning conversation. These guys never look to officials for flags after being hit, and merely invite, or elude the contact. I'm sorry, but just because a few quarterbacks are sensitve to getting hit, doesn't mean the whole league should become as soft as they are.
