Peter King calls out Wallace; Says Harrison should not be suspended

[Raw Steel]

Mike Wallace's effort, or lack thereof, blocking on plays he's not involved in.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/12/12/Week14/index.html#ixzz1gL8Tw4G4

James Harrison should not be suspended, but he should be fined. I've watched his scary helmet-to-helmet hit on Colt McCoy 15 times now, and I've listened to his defense. Which is this, basically: Once McCoy tucked the ball under his right arm and began to run, and left the pocket, McCoy appeared to be a runner, and thus could be hit in the helmet by a tackler. (Crazy rule, that runners can be hit helmet-to-helmet in the open field and quarterbacks can't be if they exhibition any intention of passing.)

McCoy, by my count, took five strides with the ball tucked under his arm, and when he and Harrison were about one stride apart, McCoy quickly pulled out the ball and tossed it to a receiver for a completion. I agree with what Harrison said postgame -- when he was coiling to hit McCoy, the quarterback appeared to be a runner.

But the NFL rule does not refer to time when talking about hits on a quarterback. In other words, the rule doesn't say if a quarterback looks to be a runner and at the last second throws a pass, and then is hit in the helmet, it's perfectly legal. The rule simply says you cannot hit a quarterback helmet-to-helmet. And in this case, Harrison clearly had the chance to make his aiming point lower. He could have hit McCoy shoulder pads to ribs, but he chose to aim higher than that. McCoy didn't curl up either.

So while I do not blame Harrison for thinking McCoy was a runner, and I believe it is wholly unfair to indict him for this hit as a cheap shot, I do blame him for where he aimed and where he hit him. There was no need to aim for the helmet. None. The play should result in a good-sized fine -- but it does not rise to the Suh-stomping level of a suspension, even with Harrison's history of NFL fines and discipline.

[steelcity1974]

He makes a pretty good argument about Harrison.

[Whodis]

It is surprising to hear about a WR on the Steelers not blocking

[DanRooney]

I'll take a projected 1,200+ yards and 10 TD receiver who takes away safety over the top over one who has less than half of that and blocks. Just my opinion.

[Whodis]

Originally Posted by DanRooney

I'll take a projected 1,200+ yards and 10 TD receiver who takes away safety over the top over one who has less than half of that and blocks. Just my opinion.

I'm with you.... just surprised that he would be accused of taking plays off

[Raw Steel]

Originally Posted by DanRooney

I'll take a projected 1,200+ yards and 10 TD receiver who takes away safety over the top over one who has less than half of that and blocks. Just my opinion.

Why can't he do both? I am not saying King is right. I just never heard anyone else say it.

[Dodens Grav]

Originally Posted by Raw Steel

Why can't he do both? I am not saying King is right. I just never heard anyone else say it.

I have, and it's legitimate. He's probably the worst blocker on the offense that isn't a quarterback. Admittedly, it would be nice to see him put more effort into that aspect of the game. It's not like star receivers are given a free pass on this kind of stuff (see Wes Welker or Larry Fitzgerald). I also agree with him about Harrison.

[MDSteel15]

Originally Posted by DanRooney

I'll take a projected 1,200+ yards and 10 TD receiver who takes away safety over the top over one who has less than half of that and blocks. Just my opinion.

If he wants to stay here and get a nice contract, he'll F*^&%$G BLOCK!!!

[DanRooney]

Not worried about his blocking one bit. He's usually lined up far to the outside.

Emmanuel Sanders is actually a hell of a blocker and supposedly the best route runner. But I've said for a while that I think he's the worst receiver out of the 'Young Money' crew (Which is not really an insult. Wallace and Brown are just that good).

[Fire Arians]

Originally Posted by DanRooney

Not worried about his blocking one bit. He's usually lined up far to the outside.

Emmanuel Sanders is actually a hell of a blocker and supposedly the best route runner. But I've said for a while that I think he's the worst receiver out of the 'Young Money' crew (Which is not really an insult. Wallace and Brown are just that good).

i think sanders will surpass both over time if he can shake the injury bug. if he can stay healthy, at worst, he'll be hines ward v2, this time with 4.4 speed which is always nice.

the one thing that he has that AB doesn't quite have yet is his route running. ben can find him in the end zone a lot quicker than he can brown, and that will be huge in the future.