Non Cards the Travis Johnson/Trent Green play

[Russ Smith]

What's your reaction to that play now? In hindsight I'm very torn now.

For those that missed, Green tried to block Johnson downfield as he was chasing Ted Ginn, it was a blindside block and Green went low and ended up banging his head on the knee of Johnson. Wound up laying unconscious on the field, Johnson comes over and starts screaming and taunting him and gets a penalty. After the game Johnson went off, said Green wasn't a real man, he went low on my knee instead of head up on me, called him a coward etc.

When I first saw it I tended to agree with Olbermann that Johnson was being a real jerk. But you know the more I watch that the more I realize where Johnson is coming from that could have very easily ended Johnson's season it was a complete blind hit, at the knee.

I don't like the taunting thing but I am somewhat inclined to agree with his opinion that it was actually a "dirty" play by Trent Green?

 

[Gambit]

I didn't see it, but from what I've heard, Green shouldn't have made the hit, but Johnson should never have even thought about taunting him while Green could have been paralyzed or dead. Green's low hit might have ended Johnson' season, but it didn't. Instead it appeared that it did end Green's career, or life (at the time).

 

[abomb]

Trent Green made a pretty stupid play all the way around.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Travis Johnson may not have been to elloquent about the subject. But I side with Travis Johnson.

It was a low blow, to the knee, and the guy wasn't looking.

Furthermore, it was a dumb move by Trent Green, and he paid for it.

The verbal drama afterwards is just stupid. The guy is a D-tackle not a poet. He was angry that someone tried to blow his knee out.

 

[Russ Smith]

I didn't see it, but from what I've heard, Green shouldn't have made the hit, but Johnson should never have even thought about taunting him while Green could have been paralyzed or dead. Green's low hit might have ended Johnson' season, but it didn't. Instead it appeared that it did end Green's career, or life (at the time).

that's the part I didn't like, even his own teammate was pulling him away as he taunted Green although at the time it wasn't clear that Green was hurt
that badly.

Just a really weird play you know Green is trying to help out and block but he could have actually broken Johnson's leg quite easily with that low hit it was really scary.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Trent Green made a pretty stupid play all the way around.

I thought it was a good play. Horribly executed. You don't lead with your head when you tackle, or block. It is as simple as that. If you try to block low, thats ok, just don't lead with your head.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Oh, but the taunting on the play was downright dispicable. Even his post game interview was trash. Oberman was right to call him the worst person in the NFL that day.

 

[moklerman]

I thought it was a pretty common attempt at a block by a QB. Green was obviously trying to go low but it isn't illegal to cut a player that isn't engaged. As far as Green "going after" Johnson's knee(s), I'm a little skeptical of that. I don't think Green's that kind of player, he's had a serious knee injury himself and it's really hard for me to think that he intended to hit Johnson's knee with his helmet. QB's go low all the time. Nothing dirty about it.

 

[CtCardinals78]

I have no problem with Johnson's reactions. I think on the field it was crossing the line but here's how I look at it. Dlinemen especially DT is one of the most underappreciated positions on the field, thus they are underpaid. The are in the trenches and could lose their career at any time. Green although may not have intended to take his knees out did go low.

He could have ended his career with that hit, and it you watch the replay again Jonhson landed on his neck. I am sad Green got hurt I hate to see any player get hurt. But lets say Green was ok and Johnson blew his knees out. Today we would be talking about Green's cheapshot.

I understand Johnsons anger and have no problem with it what-so-ever.

 

[schutd]

I havent seen the play, but I'd also have to consider a QBs ability to block at all. It doesnt excuse it, but many QBs try and make the right block, but dont execute it very well. It may have been stupid, but to call it malicious or dirty doesnt examine all the possible contingencies.

 

[RedViper]

If its not an illegal play, then Johnson should keep his mouth. Some talking head on TV also just made the point, when there is an interception, its completely fair and common for these defenders to blindside, essentially try to murder the QB. Everyone seems to think that's all fair and good clean fun in that instance.

If Johnson is so upset he should try to get the rules changed. Regardless, he is an utter moron be taunting a guy that for all anyone knows may be paralyzed. Ridiculous.

 

[CtCardinals78]

Oh, but the taunting on the play was downright dispicable. Even his post game interview was trash. Oberman was right to call him the worst person in the NFL that day.

That segment sucks. Once again the media highlighting bad actions and draw negative attnetion to the sport. How about Olberman doing the best guy of the NFL and show an Olineman making a sick block allowing a RB to rip off a 30 yarder? That's what I want to see.

As soon as Olberman comes on I change or mute my TV. When that crappy segement comes on I change my tv.

 

[Renz]

I havent seen the play, but I'd also have to consider a QBs ability to block at all. It doesnt excuse it, but many QBs try and make the right block, but dont execute it very well. It may have been stupid, but to call it malicious or dirty doesnt examine all the possible contingencies.

I agree. Most QB's, when they block, just sort of fall at the defender's feet to maybe slow him down or trip him. How often do you think Trent Green practices blocking?

There was no malicious intent involved, IMO.

 

[Russ Smith]

I thought it was a pretty common attempt at a block by a QB. Green was obviously trying to go low but it isn't illegal to cut a player that isn't engaged. As far as Green "going after" Johnson's knee(s), I'm a little skeptical of that. I don't think Green's that kind of player, he's had a serious knee injury himself and it's really hard for me to think that he intended to hit Johnson's knee with his helmet. QB's go low all the time. Nothing dirty about it.

He admitted he went low on purpose said he was outweighed by 100 + pounds and "where do you expect me to go block him?" Didn't say he went for the knee but it turns out Johnson is having an MRI on his knee today for a clicking sound that started after that block.


If Johnson hadn't taunted him I suspect today people would be pointing the finger at Green. It is legal but he has to know that taking a guy at full sprint and hitting him in the legs is very dangerous?

Just a weird play all around what's Green doing that far downfield etc.

Like I said I'm torn, I hate Johnson's reaction to it but the more I watch it the more I'm convinced it was a borderline dirty play by Green, probably largely because he's not a good blocker and decided rather than getting lit up by a bigger guy he'd just take out his legs.

 

[moklerman]

To be fair to Olberman, the segment is usually a somewhat lighthearted view of something negative(so far). He's even put himself as the subject of "worst". In this case, taunting a guy who's unconcious and possibly paralyzed is deserving of the weekly title.

Johnson assumed and assumes Green was trying to hurt him. I doubt that he was very much. Green was going low and Johnson's knee hit his helmet. If his knee had hit his shoulder pad or side or just about anywhere else it would just be a good block by Green. No one expects a QB to take on a D-lineman and block him high. That's just ridiculous. Johnson wasn't engaged and he should know to have his head on a swivel.

 

[D-Dogg]

What's your reaction to that play now? In hindsight I'm very torn now.

For those that missed, Green tried to block Johnson downfield as he was chasing Ted Ginn, it was a blindside block and Green went low and ended up banging his head on the knee of Johnson. Wound up laying unconscious on the field, Johnson comes over and starts screaming and taunting him and gets a penalty. After the game Johnson went off, said Green wasn't a real man, he went low on my knee instead of head up on me, called him a coward etc.

When I first saw it I tended to agree with Olbermann that Johnson was being a real jerk. But you know the more I watch that the more I realize where Johnson is coming from that could have very easily ended Johnson's season it was a complete blind hit, at the knee.

I don't like the taunting thing but I am somewhat inclined to agree with his opinion that it was actually a "dirty" play by Trent Green?

I agree completely with Johnson. And Olbermann is a nutjob for saying Johnson was the worst guy in the NFL this week for that.. Green went right for the guy's knees, blindside. I don't care that he's the one who got the short end of the stick from it, it was a stupid, dirty play on Green's part.

 

[moklerman]

Like I said I'm torn, I hate Johnson's reaction to it but the more I watch it the more I'm convinced it was a borderline dirty play by Green, probably largely because he's not a good blocker and decided rather than getting lit up by a bigger guy he'd just take out his legs.

I just can't see Green going after someone's knee(s). Green is a classy guy who's had to spend years of rehab on his own knee. He wasn't downfield either, he was upfield. The block occurred 10+ yards behind the line of scrimmage. It was a common "block" by a qb on a reverse/busted play.

 

[sportznutt]

Johnson apologized for his comments 10 minutes after his tirade.

 

[Russ Smith]

To be fair to Olberman, the segment is usually a somewhat lighthearted view of something negative(so far). He's even put himself as the subject of "worst". In this case, taunting a guy who's unconcious and possibly paralyzed is deserving of the weekly title.

Johnson assumed and assumes Green was trying to hurt him. I doubt that he was very much. Green was going low and Johnson's knee hit his helmet. If his knee had hit his shoulder pad or side or just about anywhere else it would just be a good block by Green. No one expects a QB to take on a D-lineman and block him high. That's just ridiculous. Johnson wasn't engaged and he should know to have his head on a swivel.

Golic made an interesting point he says while Johnson looks stupid for the taunting he does have a valid point that block should NOT be legal. It is, but it shouldn't be. He said if you hit the guy in the chest and decleat him that's a whole other thing but as he said even if Johnson was facing Green he probably wouldn't have seen him because Green had ducked down to go low.

That's apparently precisely why they have that low block rule on kicks now, remember the penalty JJ got earlier this year for doing it? Guys were getting seriously injured on low blindside blocks so they put in the rule.

I do agree that Green probably didn't think I'm going to take out this guys' knee but I also know after what happened to Eric Swann's knees because of so many OL's diving at his legs, I tend to view such plays and think it's a bit dirty.

 

[moklerman]

And Olbermann is a nutjob for saying Johnson was the worst guy in the NFL this week for that..

Do you have a better choice? I thought it was one of worst onfield displays in a long time. Even Johnson admitted that his emotions got the best of him and his reaction/comments weren't appropriate.

 

[Russ Smith]

I actually looked up the rule and that play is only legal outside 5 yards
of the LOS either in front or behind. So it's actually not all that common since
most times a QB won't be blocking that far from the LOS.

So it was legal here because as Moklerman said it was about 10 yards behind the LOS.

 

[D-Dogg]

Do you have a better choice? I thought it was one of worst onfield displays in a long time. Even Johnson admitted that his emotions got the best of him and his reaction/comments weren't appropriate.

Incognito for one.

Not guys who are pissed off because QBs are gunning for his knees blindside because they can't hit him straight up, potentially ending his career. I can understand someone being pissed and even taunting someone who tried to break their legs because they are emotional and in the moment. I can't understand a dirty player doing the same things over and over and over again. They could have spotshadowed Incognito and had a field day.

 

[nashman]

Green did nothing wrong he tried to make a block which obviously QB's aren't that good at anyway! What the other guy did after the play was over was disgusting as he was yelling over Greens' lifeless body laying on the ground. He is and idiot, and I understand heat of the moment but Green was laying motionless not the time to be taunting and talking trash. Freaking moron deserved the penalty and will probally get a fine too. Green did nothing wrong, its not illegal to block low, what is he supposed to do?

 

[Russ Smith]

Green did nothing wrong he tried to make a block which obviously QB's aren't that good at anyway! What the other guy did after the play was over was disgusting as he was yelling over Greens' lifeless body laying on the ground. He is and idiot, and I understand heat of the moment but Green was laying motionless not the time to be taunting and talking trash. Freaking moron deserved the penalty and will probally get a fine too. Green did nothing wrong, its not illegal to block low, what is he supposed to do?

He could have blocked Johnson the same way the RB did earlier in the same play on another defender he blindsided him and decleated him but he hit him right in the chest.

What people are saying is if Green does that, he might get hurt, but by not doing that he put Johnson at risk so why is that ok?

I think they need to change the rule, for a change I completely agree with Golic it should NOT be legal to block that low on that play. It may be legal now but they should change that rule.

 

[Renz]

He could have blocked Johnson the same way the RB did earlier in the same play on another defender he blindsided him and decleated him but he hit him right in the chest.

What people are saying is if Green does that, he might get hurt, but by not doing that he put Johnson at risk so why is that ok?

I think they need to change the rule, for a change I completely agree with Golic it should NOT be legal to block that low on that play. It may be legal now but they should change that rule.

If that play is wrong then the NFL should just ban all below-the-waist blocks.