I'm hoping Manti T'eo slaps the living hell out of some Bama players, and that Golson makes Saban look like the little man douchebag that he is.
If the situation were reversed, there would be many Bama fans calling for a flag. I see the play as unnecessary roughness. However, I'd call hit a high hit more than helmet to helmet because you can see from the .gif Tigertap posted he's leading with his shoulder. Fact is, no matter which team you might have been rooting for, it was "within the rules." It was after the INT, the QB was technically pursuing the play even if it was half-hardheartedly. Was Murray singled out? Most definitely. Now, reversing situations a little more. Let's assume that's Mingo hitting McCarron. If you can set aside rivalry, what would you say about the hit?
After watching the video again, I agree w/ TerryP that it was more of a high hit than a helmet to helmet. Murray's helmet didn't make contact w/ the other player's until his neck wipped his head forward from the impact. However, helmet to helmet is not the only criteria needed for the ref to make a call. Other factors such as proximity to the play, timing of the hit in relation to the end of play, etc. I don't remember, and could not tell from the video, what the status of these other factors are at the time of the hit, so I can't say one way or the other. Terry is right that if the roles are reversed, then most people (including those on this board) would be posting the video as another bone crushing blow delivered by the tigers. While it makes for good forum topic discussion, the hit and the lack of penalty had no baring on the play or the outcome of the game (still would have been an int).
Actually your boy might be facing a 1 game suspension, they asked the head of officials and they gave his response that that kind of play is something that they target to ensure it doesn't happen.
I agree, I put in the scene of the crime kinda tongue in cheek since it was such a violent hit. I can see why it was flagged in the current "player safety" mindset, but don't agree with it. Regardless this hit was to a defender who was actually making a legitimate attempt to tackle the runner. Murray was far from the play and making a weak attempt to head toward it, not to mention taking a shot to the head whether the Gump lead with his shoulder or helmet.
