This weeks edition of Absolut Bullshit will focus on a familiar subject... Robert Kraft and the way he has the NFL's officials in his back pocket. Not only can Tom Brady signal a back judge and demand he throw a flag on a phantom roughing call, but now when an official throws a flag against the Pats the call can simply be changed after a short huddle by the refs. With 5 and half minutes left in the 4th quarter of this weeks Broncos/Pats game a very interesting thing happened.
Pats saftey Brandon Meriweather (#31) laid a flagrant helmet to helmet hit on WR Eddie Royal. Before I even saw the replay I knew it was helmet to helmet from the way it sounded. As the replays started to roll across the screen two things stood out. First, it was very obvious that Meriweather led with his helmet. The second thing that stood out was how immediately after the play, before the players even got back to their feet, the ref reached for his flag and threw it.
When the call was announced it was for taunting. Meriweather did pump his fist when he stood up and technically you could call that. But obviously the ref on the spot was calling the helmet to helmet foul. The Patriots are coached to take cheap shots. This safety must be Belichicks new prized pupil. He was playing dirty all day including another non-call earlier in the game. He tackled Brandon Marshall out of bounds and proceeded to slam him on to his shoulder. This can cause a significant injury and of coarse.... no flag. Sickening.
I know football is a contact sport, and in an effort to not sound like I am going soft, I have to address this new 'defenseless receiver' rule. Eric Smith almost kills Boldin last year and the next thing you know, its illegal to punish a receiver for going over the middle. This league is getting out of control with these ridiculous rule changes. I would love to have some former players like Lynn Swann and Michael Irvin chime in on this one. They made there bones by not being afraid to take the big hit that comes when you make the hard catch. QB's use to be taught to throw the ball low to protect their wideouts. It really sucks to be a defensive player in this league these days.
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