"SEC: Alabama's Quinton Dial should have been penalized on Aaron Murray hit (video)"

[WALL-E]

SEC: Alabama's Quinton Dial should have been penalized on Aaron Murray hit (video)

By Jon Solomon | jsolomon@al.com
Published December 03, 2012, 12:07:00 PM

Whether Dial gets suspended for BCS Championship Game is up to SEC Commissioner Mike Slive, who has sat 2 players this season. Read more...

[SUPERCOACH]

Well here is the rule:

Rule 9-1-4 of the NCAA rulebook, which states: "No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder."

Let me help these guys out a little bit:

defenseless |diˈfenslis| adjective
without defense or protection; totally vulnerable

oblivious |əˈblivēəs| adjective
not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one

You are not defenseless simply because you aren't paying attention.  You are defenseless if you are making a play on the ball, either trying to catch it or trying to throw it.  This is consistent with how they have called the games all year.  If you hit a receiver in the head while he is trying to catch the ball, it is a penalty and they throw the flag.  If you hit a QB in the head when he is trying to throw it, it is a penalty and they throw the flag.  If you hit a runner in the head after they have clearly secured the ball and are trying to gain yards, it is not a penalty and they don't throw the flag.  If you hit a QB in the head while they are dancing around in la la land pouting about throwing an interception and not paying attention, it should not be a penalty.

[pmull]

On the CSS replay last night former UGA player Buck Belue and Former Tide player Tyler Watts said it was a clean play. They both said once you throw an INT you become a defender and should expect to get hit.

[SUPERCOACH]

The only reason there is even a conversation about it is because of those CBS nuts trying to stir up trouble like they always do.

[ALTideUp]

The hit on AM occurred as THE PLAY WAS MOVING TOWARD HIM and HE WAS MOVING TOWARD THE PLAY. That's a whole lot different than when a QB has released the ball down the field. Dial ran past a closer UGA player to get to Murray, but that guy was closer to the play and in between Dial and the play.  By the time Dial got to him it would have been a block in the back. Did Dial see it as an opportunity to knock the QB down? Probably. Did he go high? Yes, but I saw him turn his shoulder in to avoid helmet to helmet. Would I have been shocked to see a flag? Of course not. But suspension? C'mon man. I'm with SC on this one.

[BAMAWV]

If a QB does not want to become a would-be tackler he should not throw interceptions.

[pmull]

The head official (Tom Ritter) was right there and watched the hit.

[ricky023]

To me as long as it is after the interception then all players are live to take a block. Many QBs make tackles and save TDs. If you want protection just simply run and slide down. RTR!

[Bamaphile]

I would like to hear Steve Shaw's explanation on this one.  Did Dial hit Murray in the head?  Yes.  Was it intentional?  I don't think so.  It looked like he was trying to lead with his shoulder.  I've seen flags thrown for less than that this year, though, because the rage right now is to be paranoid about head injuries.  At the very worst, it should have been a flag according to Rule 9, Article 3 - "No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul.’’
 
I think the SEC has suspended 2 players this year for flagrant violations of the above rule on defenseless players.  However, Murray was certainly not a defenseless player at that point.  IMO, it probably could have been a penalty if the official chose to call it, but it doesn't rise to the point of being something Dial should be suspended over.

[ALTideUp]

It's interesting to note that the folks on Dawg Run were understandable unhappy about the Dial hit, but there were only a couple posts and they were on to the next thing. It seems to be haters from elsewhere that are getting all lathered up about this.

Trunk envy, I guess.

[bamalum67]

IMO, I was always taught that when my team intercepted a pass, then I was to turn on ANY player of the other team and smack the heck outta him..QB or not.

To my knowledge, the rule has not changed..yes, it was a hard hit, no, it was not illegal.
I think CMR has not coached them tough enough..heck, one of thier own admitted they were soft. Goodbye dawgs.

[Crimson Phoenix]

I didn't much like it when Gary Danielson said that he went to the refs during halftime to talk about the hit.  He encouraged them to pursue it.

I wasn't too impressed with Danielson anyway....he talked way too much during the game.      

[ricky023]

CP you are right. He is a goat mouth most times. He certainly does not like us and it shows very well. RTR!

[2Stater]

When haters hate on us, you know times are good. 

[bamalum67]

I surely hope this is the last season we have to put up with those two.... (pick your plural adjective here)

I can't stand either one..you tell me this is the BEST CBS can come up with?  I think they have pictures of the CBS CEO with a goat..or two.

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