
"It's football. You've got a lot of good players, where you think one thing, and another thing can happen in a split-second. My split-second decision was to be aggressive and not wait for it." - Brandon Meriweather (Pro Football Talk)
It has been well documented that younger players tend to make dumb plays. However, the repeated
stupidity of
Brandon Meriweather on Sunday is simply inexcusable. With head and neck injuries occurring at an alarming rate, it is time for the NFL to
suspend players for these violent and unnecessary cheap shots.
Even before Meriweather lowered the boom on the Ravens
Todd Heap, there had already been two significant
head and
neck injuries this past weekend. The Eagles
DeSean Jackson was leveled by Falcon Defensive Back
Dunta Robinson just minutes before the incident in Foxboro. Jackson left the game with a "severe concussion" while Robinson remained on the ground before finally getting off the field under his own power. Watching the video is scary and violent but with Robinson, at least the intent to play the game within the rules was there. Not so much for young Bang Clock Brandon.
Aside from the hit on Heap, Meriweather was seen launching himself helmet-first at opponents multiple times during Sunday's game. This behavior is simply unacceptable. Will a punitive fine serve justice for a kid who just doesn't get it? No. If the NFL is going to suspend its players for conduct
outside of work, they need to start holding them accountable at work. Yes, football is inherently dangerous and everyone who plays knows the risk they take every time they step on the field. That risk shouldn't be heightened because a few players can't control their aggressive behavior. The NFL needs to send a message and hold players accountable for their actions. Unless of course they want d-backs runnin' around like
little kids.
Check out our thoughts on the head shots and everything else NFL on the Sports Round Table Thursday from 8-10 PM on
www.wdisam.com.