[Mark]

Originally posted by RogueWarrior
I'll defend the hit at the risk of sounding stupid, but here goes.

The guy from Green Bay was on the field while the ball was still live. At that moment all players should be on guard, not just nonchalantly jogging across the field. When I was playing football in high school the very same thing happened to me. I was trailing a play, just jogging along and got clocked. I guarantee that never happened again. On the field while the ball is live is no place to be counting your change.

Did Sapp have to hit the guy? No. Was it a cheap shot? Probably. Was it a legal hit? Yes. Would I have done it? Yes.

I don't know how many of you have played football at any level, but when you're out on the field, you start salivating at the chance to level someone from the opposing team. Especially in the heat of the battle, it's just the nature of the game.

sorry, but i really have some problems with the last few things you said. It was going good until you got to the part about if you would do it. That hit required no "talent". If you are really salivating about hitting a guy, hit him on the line, about 50 times in the game or block him when he's trying to make a play. Clocking him when he's not looking and when he's not a part of the play is pretty stupid in my opinion. I definetely know things can get heated on the field, but c'mon! It almost shows your less of a man by having to take a shot at a guy while he's not watching and not a part of the play...

BUT, Sherman was way out of line...he should have talked to Sapp personally in a lesser stage...not right now nat'l tv...

[.torrin.]

IMHO, both Sapp and Sherman weren't completely out of line.

During a play, you have got to be on your guard, or you will get clocked. The lineman was jogging toward the ball after a turnover (I believe) and during a turnover, defensive players are taught to become offensive lineman and block and protect the ball carrier. Sapp was just doing that, but the hit did look exessively rude to me. And it might have knocked the lineman out for the season. Two of his pelvic bones are seperated, there's a collection of blood in his pelvis, and he's got to have a nasty headache. The hit was legal, but football is already dangerous, and Sapp should have made a more resonsible block, and the lineman should have been more aware.

Sherman, IMO was right. Sapp isn't going to touch him out of the field, that right there is a fine and suspension. And hey, you've got to stick up for your players. They play their butts off for your job, and you need to do it. It forms unity on the team, and it makes your players want to play for you. It's about time some said "F*** you" to Sapp anyway. I still say rock on Coach Sherman, you can coach my team any day.

[TheWanderer]

When the ball was caught, Sapp had no idea where he was going to run, that said Sapp's job was to take out anyone and everyone around him in case the guy ran that way. No cheap shot, he was totally doing his job. A job he is very good at. Sherman also did his job by standing up for his player.

I don't like Sapp either, but he did nothing wrong in that play.

[Dr. Doom]

Originally posted by TheWanderer
When the ball was caught, Sapp had no idea where he was going to run, that said Sapp's job was to take out anyone and everyone around him in case the guy ran that way.

very good point. everyone talks about how it was far away from the play, but it is TOTALLY possible that before kelly (or whoever had the ball) was tackled or pushed out of bound, he could ahve dropped the ball, or cut back. as a team returning an interception, you want everyone down on the ground, out of the way. sapp made a good play.