By Kevin Adams on 9/20/2010
Sounds harsh huh? But hey, I know im not the only one who has echoed that sentiment. But that's not saying I feel that way, I look at this from both points of views. But why am I talking about this? Well on Sunday of week 2 in the NFL, the issue of preferential treatment of quarterbacks was brought up.
In yesterday's game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, which the Bengals won 15-10 featured two dubious calls on Ravens linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. Late in the third quarter with the Ravens up 7-6, Lewis was called for tripping Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer. The penalty gave the Bengals a first down and they moved the ball down the field for a field goal giving them a 9-7 lead. The call raised eyebrows especially after replays clearly showed that Lewis didnt go into Palmer with malicious intent or even meant to do it, Lewis was clearly tripped himself and rolled into Palmer. Lewis was visibly frustrated and irate on the field with the officials after the call.
In the 4th quarter controversy came around yet again, with the Ravens having taken the lead back with another field goal, Suggs was called for roughing the passer on Palmer as the officials said he slammed Palmer into the ground. Replays appeared to show that Suggs didnt slam Palmer into the ground, despite the officials call, that penalty led to another Cincy first down and later in the drive they got the game winning field goal. The Ravens were hit with two dubious penalties in a game that was a defensive struggle and points had been at a premium, couple that with a loss coming to a divisional opponent the Ravens would have every reason to be upset.
Lewis who has been known as an outspoken player, let loose with his feelings after the game letting it be known that he feels QB's get preferential treatment in the league. "I don't think I want to be politically correct right here. I want to be honest," Lewis said. "Honest is you put six points on the [darn]board by people doing their jobs. We laugh about it so much [about] quarterbacks getting all of this protection. I get tired of whining about quarterbacks. [But] Terrell can't stop in midair and pull up on Carson after he still has the ball."
Lewis continued on, You always try to be careful because the league always tries to fine you. But there are so many rules that take away from the game. I get blocked into the player and you tell me that I tripped this man, but this man fell over my feet. There's too much crying from them. You already make the big money. Keep your big money. But don't cry when you step on the football field. That's war out there. If you want to go at it, go at it hard. But don't disrespect the game like that."
Suggs himself disagreed that the calls were the reason behind Baltimore's loss "Did we win or lose the game right there?," Suggs said, "Absolutely not."
Now while we can debate on whether those calls cost Baltimore the game, the Bengals getting 6 points in a game they won by 5 points was very helpful. But there were other mistakes by the Ravens notably their own QB Joe Flacco throwing 4 interceptions.
But we've seen this topic rear it's head and come up before. Are QB's too protected and getting beneficial treatment from officials? Quarterbacks have had rules changed and put in too protect them, after Tom Brady's knee blowout due to a hit by Bernard Pollard, it is now illegal to hit a QB around the legs. We've seen defensive players complain before about officials being too harsh when it comes to getting to the QB. There have been plenty of instances were defensive players get called for penalties on hits that were harmless in nature.
This issue has been around for years now, you can go back to 1976 when New England Patriots defensive tackle Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton was called for a suspect roughing the passer call on Oakland Raiders QB Kenny Stabler, with New England up by 3 in the final two minutes. The Raiders would go onto score and win the game 21-17. So this is something that isnt going away, but Lewis and his statements have brought the issue back into the present.
The quarterback has always been looked at as the glamour position in football, and the most important position on the field, and keeping the QB on the field is a big responsibility. But have the officials and the NFL gone too far with what can and cant be done with the quarterback? Yes QB's do get the money, the fame, and all the perks on the football field.
But are they getting more protected on the field? Do officials look at QB's in a different light from everyone else? Are quarterbacks spoiled pretty boys on the field? Now yes, not every QB gets every petty thing called in there favor, but we have seen QB's get more of the benefit of the doubt from officials. As a fan myself, I would hate to see the toughness, hits, and what makes football the game we love taken away from it. Quarterbacks are players like everyone else, there's no rules that you cant hit a running back below the knees or in the legs, so really in a way Lewis is right but the quarterback is the main man on the field so it comes with the territory in a way.
Whatever the sentiment is on this and no matter what feelings fans, coaches and players have this is something that will be around for a while and something that will be brought up again and again. Are the rules fine the way they are, are the officials doing the right thing, is Lewis hitting the nail on the head with his comments? Either way you feel this is something that comes with the game, whether it's right or wrong is the issue.
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