Steelers' Harrison upset with no-call for Cowboys' Elam

[Maveric]

NFL.com
Published: Dec. 18, 2011 at 02:19 a.m. Updated: Dec. 18, 2011 at 08:11 a.m.

Though Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison did not have a stake in Saturday night's game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the recently suspended defender found reason to protest one play.

With two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Cowboys safety Abram Elam lowered his shoulder into the chest of Buccaneers wide receiver Micheal Spurlock as the ball sailed by. No penalty was called on the play.

Harrison, whose one-game suspension for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy was upheld Friday, took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with the lack of a penalty.

"Wow! I guess it is just us!" Harrison tweeted after the hit.

Fellow Steelers linebacker James Farrior chimed in to say the same.

Harrison used his Twitter account earlier in the week to voice his displeasure with the league's decision to deny his appeal. On Friday, he tweeted, "17 games,1000+ snaps, 100+ tackles, 12+sacks and 2 forces fumbles since my last incident and I get a suspension for a football play!"

 

[Cythim]

It seems like refs are not calling the defenseless receiver as much anymore. I've noticed a few plays over the last couple of weeks where the flag could have been thrown but it wasn't.

 

[dbair1967]

Hey phaggott Harrison, he didnt lead with helmet into the helmet of the guy, like you do virtually every chance you get.

Not only are your a dirty piece of shit, you're dumb as a fucking brick too.

 

[VAcowboy]

It seems like refs are not calling the defenseless receiver as much anymore. I've noticed a few plays over the last couple of weeks where the flag could have been thrown but it wasn't.

If that was "hitting a defenseless receiver" by the NFL's definition, it's no longer possible to play defense in the League. Elam hit the guy just as the ball got there, without using his helmet. What's he supposed to do, wait until the receiver catches the ball and prepares himself to be tackled?

 

[dbair1967]

If that was "hitting a defenseless receiver" by the NFL's definition, it's no longer possible to play defense in the League. Elam hit the guy just as the ball got there, without using his helmet. What's he supposed to do, wait until the receiver catches the ball and prepares himself to be tackled?

Seems someone who shall go unnamed coaches that exact philosophy (DB coach with poodle hair)

 

[Cythim]

If that was "hitting a defenseless receiver" by the NFL's definition, it's no longer possible to play defense in the League. Elam hit the guy just as the ball got there, without using his helmet. What's he supposed to do, wait until the receiver catches the ball and prepares himself to be tackled?

We saw some of those same hits get flagged earlier in the season where it seemed like to not get a flag the WR had to be allowed to catch the ball and turn up field before he could be hit. I'm not arguing for the rule, I am just saying I haven't seen as many flags for hits such as that over the last few weeks.

 

[Cr122]

That's it. Harrison lead with his helmet. In this case Elam didn't. So it was a clean hit.