1st and Goal "Protect The Players"

I am tired of linebackers and secondary players taking cheap shots on defenseless wide receivers. Yes the league is cracking down by fining and penalizing the team 15 yards, but big deal. If it happens more than once it should be grounds for a suspension. T.J Ward of the Cleveland Browns yesterday laid out Shipley of the Bengal’s in the end zone. The ball was already tipped and Shipley had no chance at catching the ball. As you can see in the video below Ward did lead with his shoulder, but it was not a needed. Then to sit there and stare Shipley down as he was lying on the ground just shows how much of punk Ward really is. In his post game interview Ward said

“I hit him with my shoulder," Ward said. "They [Bengal’s] tried to yap at me, but I ignored them. I would do it again."

These types of plays are not needed with the speed of today’s game. We all love clean hard hits, but in a game where a player can barely touch a QB without picking up a flag, why can’t the league focus more on protecting all of it’s players. Instead of focusing on fining people for their end zone celebrations or now Jared Allen’s calf roping sack celebration ($15,000 fine if he does it anymore) let’s protect the players health and bring down the hammer on cheap hits.

T.J Ward's Hit On Shipley