This shouldn't be a throw away game, imo. They are doing some positive things and need to keep working. The DLine had 7 TFLs and weren't looking stuck on interior blocks like prior games. Not as much anyhow. Fight off those blocks and make them hold to protect their QB. Plus, there was progress in the run game blocking today. Of course, they have to throw some to keep Bama honest. But keep working that run game blocking. And Tyler Byrd provided some yds after catch that was badly needed.Some could make a case for resting the key players, spending two weeks preparing for USCjr and keeping our slim hopes of a bowl game alive. I think the media fall out would be devastating. However, if the game got out of hand early go to the bench and rest the starters.
No, this team needs to compete and get better. Only place I’d consider it is at QB where Maurer is in the concussion protocol and doesn’t need the physical beating that Bama will give our qb.Some could make a case for resting the key players, spending two weeks preparing for USCjr and keeping our slim hopes of a bowl game alive. I think the media fall out would be devastating. However, if the game got out of hand early go to the bench and rest the starters.
Horribly disagree. Every 20 minute review of targeting we get descriptions of the rules and how targeting involves launching to the head or neck area. "Launching" and "forcible contact" are nauseatingly used to get the point across by retired refs working the broadcast. HT did neither of those things. No launch. No forcible contact. Their masks hit. Letter of the law? Perhaps...but it doesn't fit with their agenda.Probably the easiest targeting call of the year.
Wasn't malicious, but it was textbook targeting.
Some could make a case for resting the key players, spending two weeks preparing for USCjr and keeping our slim hopes of a bowl game alive. I think the media fall out would be devastating. However, if the game got out of hand early go to the bench and rest the starters.
How was it not forcible contact? He ran right through him helmet to helmet.Horribly disagree. Every 20 minute review of targeting we get descriptions of the rules and how targeting involves launching to the head or neck area. "Launching" and "forcible contact" are nauseatingly used to get the point across by retired refs working the broadcast. HT did neither of those things. No launch. No forcible contact. Their masks hit. Letter of the law? Perhaps...but it doesn't fit with their agenda.
The intent does not define the call. Henry made forcible contact to the head/neck area of a defenseless player (a QB making a pass) using his helmet. By definition, the hit was targeting. CJP even confirmed it in the post-game press conf. I don’t think Henry meant to do it, but it was the correct call.I agree on this. Weak call for sure; he hit him with hands and arms in the chest first and then momentum brought them together, facemask to facemask. I saw it more as incidental collision than intentional targeting. JMO on what I remember seeing.
Some could make a case for resting the key players, spending two weeks preparing for USCjr and keeping our slim hopes of a bowl game alive. I think the media fall out would be devastating. However, if the game got out of hand early go to the bench and rest the starters.
No disagreement from me on the first two bold comments. My thoughts on targeting, and it's just my personal opinion; I think the targeting rule as used isn't perfect and incidental contact shouldn't be an ejection. I've seen players ejected due to last second changes in direction or dropping low causing the helmet to helmet by the defender when his original intent was aiming low, while others have launched from their feet, arms to the side, leading with the helmet not get a personal foul. It was called spearing when I was younger IIRC. I just hate seeing players ejected for incidental contact when there is no intent to actually drill the player in the face/head.The intent does not define the call. Henry made forcible contact to the head/neck area of a defenseless player (a QB making a pass) using his helmet. By definition, the hit was targeting. CJP even confirmed it in the post-game press conf. I don’t think Henry meant to do it, but it was the correct call.
NCAA targeting rule will never be perfect, but it’s worth reading