Ok here is the play alot of people are talking about.










Let me start off and say I don't think this was a dirty hit. He hit him in the chest and the guys head jerked down into the blockers helmet. I don't even know if this would be classified as a peel back block.


They are talking about this on Mike and Mike and the VP of officiating made a statement saying "Punters are defenseless players thru the entire play". They had the punter for the Giants call in and he didn't even know that and said its like a slap in the face. He stated that he makes tackles and should go by the same rules as others, but he did say when he is actually kicking the ball he should be classified defenseless because he actually is.

I was wondering what others thought of this play, Like I said I think its a perfectly legal block.

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Looks clean to me. How are they defenseless players? If they're not kicking the ball or throwing it, they're game to be blocked.

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The NFL rule does state that that the Punter and Kicker are considered defenseless during the entire kick and return. It also says that the QB is still considered defenseless after a change of possession (INT).

So by rule, this would be an illegal hit because it was forcible hit to the head and neck region and with the helmet and facemask.

Make this hit 6" lower and you would be good to go.

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I am not sure I would call it an illegal hit, but to me it was a completely unnecessary hit to clobber a player who isn't paid to throw a hit that hard. I grew up playing hockey and some players you just don't hit the same way because of their size. The plan is to block (or take away the puck), not to take away their livelihood or put them in the hospital.

I agree with packfanwithtwins. The hit should have been lower. He hit the guy, and was helmet to helmet.

To me, if a punter is not part of the play and is considered "a defenseless player", he should not be allowed to try to tackle a punt returner. If he's allowed to tackle, he's fair game to block in my view.
But to me, that block was WAY to high to be considered legal. His helmet hit the punter right in the helmet/jaw.

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So basically according to this rule if a punter or kicker is trying to tackle you then you aren't even allowed to stiff arm them because technically that would be a forcible blow to the head of a defenseless player.

It doesn't make sense, does it Steve?

As I said, if a punter is allowed to tackle a returner, then he's fair game to block.
Although I think the block on the punter in question was TOO high, and deserved to be flagged/fined.

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It's not really necessary for a guy to go full force into a punter to block him. I agree with Kanta that it's just kinda an unwritten rule that you don't hit a punter that hard.

Not according to the rule. The rule is specific to say, forcible contact to the head or neck area with Helmet, facemask shoulder or forearm.

Stiff arm is legal. Hitting them as hard as you want below the neck area.

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Then why do people get fined if their hand slaps a QBs helmet while he's in the pocket.