DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns' Pool fined $5,000 for helmet-to-helmet hit on Bengals' Holt

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September 22, 2007

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Browns safety Brodney Pool was fined $5,000 by the NFL for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Cincinnati Bengals' receiver Glenn Holt last week.

Pool said he didn't intend to lead with his head on the play and will appeal the fine. Pool was flagged for unnecessary roughness and sustained a concussion on the play, in which his helmet struck Holt's after a 22-yard catch.

Pool left the game after the hit and was replaced by safety Mike Adams, but later returned and tallied 25- and 28-yard kickoff returns. He saw limited action in practice this week and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Adams expects to play Sunday but also is listed as questionable because of a wrist he injured against Cincinnati.

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Pool did put his head down while he was diving at the player but he was not headed toward Holt's head. Holt lowered his head (face) right into Pool's dive.
- That's what I saw anyway -

I didn't like the flag, and i dont like this fine.

He basicly sent his entire body when making the tackle. He didnt just throw his head at Holt.

Plus when you hurt yourself in the tackle, doesnt that kinda show, or speak for itself he was just trying to make the play and not use his helmet against them?

Maybe it's the homer in me but I didn't think that looked intentional...

Does it even matter what it looks like? Just wondering!

I haven't seen a replay of the hit, but that will probably be called just about every time whether it's intentional or not.

JMHO

I dunno. I guess it doesn't matter what it looks like.
To me it looked like Pool was giving his all to try and save the play.
I guess it was ok to put hands to Bodden's face while running with the ball though. I just don't understand what makes them 'make' one call...and then say another infraction is ok.

but Ytown, how was Pool to know that Holt was going to lower his head into Pool's helmet? Pool dove much lower than where Hol'ts head was when he dove.

I would like to see it again...anyone have a video?

That's what I thought also Vette,,, to me (and again, it may be the homer in me) but it appeared that Pool was going lower and Holt ducked down and that's then the Helmut to helmut occured...

I mean it's not really a big deal I guess,, Pool can afford the fine and all. But still..

OH LORD, just put a dress on all the offensive players Give it ten years and it will be against the rules to tackle a RB, WR or QB

You are right of course and the penalty was called as it should have been, but the play was not a dirty one and sure engaged the crowd.
Sort of brought back memories of Eric Turner from years ago.

Why is this even worth fighting ? 5K is pocket change to those guys. If the rules say no helmet to helmet, then he pays regardless of his intention. Stupid to let this be a distraction.

I doubt that it's a distraction at all to the team.

My stance is this; a defender dives to try and make a stop, the receiver trips and falls head first into a diving player's helmet. Does the defender still get fined because 'the rules say no helmet to helmet, then he pays regardless of his intention'.....and the D is penalized 15 yds and an automatic fitst down?

This is not exactly what happened in this case...but it's not too far off.

The helmet to helmet did not look intentional but you had to call it if you were the ref. I think the fine is a bit overboard though, but its chump change to him anyhow...

As others have noted, the helmet to helmet *did* happen, but the hit actually occurred below the shoulders, so it was not malicious. It is also worth noting that Holt's helmet was leading forward.

What gets me steamed is that Hines Ward received the same fine for a far more flagrant penalty. Is that the homer in me speaking? I dunno, but a late hit after the whistle (to me) is worse than than helmet to helmet contact when both players are leading with their heads.

That flag and this fine are both bologna. Pool was just going hard for a hit, they guy dove and thus Pool and him made head to head contact.

Quote:

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As others have noted, the helmet to helmet *did* happen, but the hit actually occurred below the shoulders, so it was not malicious. It is also worth noting that Holt's helmet was leading forward.

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The penalty was for leading with the helmet, not helmet to helmet. Pool's head was down and he hit the guy with the top part of his helmet. It's a penalty...period.

jc

Anyone know how they determine the amount of the fine? Vince young was fined for throwing the ball at the defense after a play. And he got 7500 fine. IMO, helmet to helmet is a bit more serious, you'd think it'd carry a harsher penalty then simply throwing the ball at someone.

Intentional or not, it was a penalty, and worthy of a fine.

If the Bungle could stand up ..he makes the catch and starts tripping himself
he is falling down when POOL is flying thru the air thus SMASHO

I DO know that CHAD "all world in my mind-best there everis Johnson"
donates 5K every week checkout pic's from games he never wears samecolor chinstrap as rest of team
There is a real teamate for ya

jc..

From the replay I saw, I saw Pool's helmet go into Holt's Shoulder pads, and the force caused Holt's shoulder back, and his head naturally bob's down and his face mask hit the top of Pool's helmet.

I don't think it was as malicious as they make it sound, or even truly helmet-to-helmet as I would define it.

As big as the helmets and face masks are, almost any hit above the mid-torso will cause some part of the helmets to touch.

I think we should just put flags on RB, WR, and QB's.

Pool might get fined again for the hit on Curry today...

I'm just sayin'...