Fumble TD play in Dallas game - no penalty?

[soflavike]

After watching this replay a few times, it seems that two personal fouls could have easily been called on the Dallas defense. The third replay is the most informative.

http://sports.yahoo.com/video/wk-9-cant ... 00439.html

#1: Leading with the helmet and blow to the head by #92. Even though the initial contact was below the head, he followed through with an upward motion and really clobbered Ponder.

#2: High-Low hit... 92 hit him high while 99 was tackling him. I thought this was against the rules?

If that was an A-list NFL QB taking that hit, it would have been roughing the passer. The refs were right there, too. Needless to say, it was a pivotal play in the game, and we didn't get the call (either call).

[LVVikingsfan]

After watching this replay a few times, it seems that two personal fouls could have easily been called on the Dallas defense. The third replay is the most informative.

http://sports.yahoo.com/video/wk-9-cant ... 00439.html

#1: Leading with the helmet and blow to the head by #92. Even though the initial contact was below the head, he followed through with an upward motion and really clobbered Ponder.

#2: High-Low hit... 92 hit him high while 99 was tackling him. I thought this was against the rules?

If that was an A-list NFL QB taking that hit, it would have been roughing the passer. The refs were right there, too. Needless to say, it was a pivotal play in the game, and we didn't get the call (either call).

Yeah I watched it and to be honest, it's just football, I'm glad they didn't call anything on this play, pretty soon defense is going to be outlawed all together. Or they just play flag football. The high low hit on Favre in the championship game when he threw his first pick wasn't called either and that play was far more flagrant than this one. and there was definitely no helmet to helmet from 92. I think this was a good non-call.

[Mothman]

Our O-line is pathetic. Sure, maybe Ponder should have gotten the ball out quicker, but maybe there wasn't anything happening, but the way Webb got beat and just stood and watched everything unfold was ridiculous. And even Kalil (who was supposed to be good) got beaten badly by his guy and he then just gave up and that guy went and got a good shot on Ponder after the ball was fumbled.... I wish we could replace every single person on our line.

I know the feeling. The blocking on that play, and especially in that situation, was completely unacceptable. Did Ponder even get 3 seconds before he was hit?

[S197]

I don't really see a penalty, he didn't lead with the crown of his helmet. I see two tackles that got beat on the same play.

[Eli]

The replay angle clearly shows 92 hitting Ponder with his shoulder in the chest area.

[The Breeze]

There most defintely should have been a penalty called on our lineman for impersonating a football player.

[soflavike]

The replay angle clearly shows 92 hitting Ponder with his shoulder in the chest area.

The rule states that it doesn't matter where the initial contact occurs, if the defender's helmet hits the QB's helmet it's a penalty. The third angle shows the contact best.

Aaron Rodgers would have gotten that call. Oh, well.

Not sure what Kalil was doing giving up on his block the way he did. He almost got Ponder killed.

[Knoxx]

I can't complain about the officiating. I was surprised by the offensive pass interference calls though. You hardly ever see that called.

[VikingLord]

I don't think it's a penalty. Maybe high-low, but not a hit-to-the-helmet IMHO.

However, WTF is up with Kalil on that play? He just lets the Dallas DE go around him, then STANDS THERE and watches as Ponder gets creamed and then Dallas recovers the fumble.

If Kalil is injured, he should sit, but that's not the Matt Kalil who played LT last year. That Kalil was running downfield trying to spring AD with 2nd-level blocks and that Kalil would never have accepted a DE shedding him so effortlessly like that. Kalil has not been himself all year. If he's not injured or something else serious is wrong with him, he's really stinking things up this year. I'd almost rather have McKinnie back over there at this point.

Just something is off with the entire team this year. Their big star players who are supposed to be setting the standard are just sucking it up and are apparently not being held accountable. I can think of only a handful of players on this team that I consider to be playing hard every snap. The rest appear to have been taking notes from the last Pro Bowl game as to how to play their positions.

[The Breeze]

I don't think it's a penalty. Maybe high-low, but not a hit-to-the-helmet IMHO.


Just something is off with the entire team this year. Their big star players who are supposed to be setting the standard are just sucking it up and are apparently not being held accountable. I can think of only a handful of players on this team that I consider to be playing hard every snap. The rest appear to have been taking notes from the last Pro Bowl game as to how to play their positions.

I think there is an accountability issue. There is a overwhelming softness to the energy of this team. They are too complacent in the face of failure to where it looks like they expect it. The depth on o-line is so dismal that there seems to be very little threat of a guy getting benched for poor play. I would imagine it hard to get up for what it takes to play in the trenches on a regular basis when other aspects of the unit continually sabotage success with poor execution and are never held accountable.

Same goes for play calling on both sides of the ball. Now the veteran players are becoming vocal about accountability on that end.

I doubt this will end well.

[tmscr]

I think more often than not, the vikings were the beneficiary of some questionable calls yesterday. Heck, they even picked up a penalty for leading with the head. Although it was the right call, you rarely see that flag picked up. There were some ticky tack PI calls on Dallas that could have not been called. Yes, there were some missed holding penalties (one on Jennings late in the game), but overall I think the vikings had the benefit of most calls yesterday.

Although I will say Romo should have been flagged for kicking the ball forward with his foot after a 4th down play. I thought for sure that was illegal.

[Raptorman]

I think more often than not, the vikings were the beneficiary of some questionable calls yesterday. Heck, they even picked up a penalty for leading with the head. Although it was the right call, you rarely see that flag picked up. There were some ticky tack PI calls on Dallas that could have not been called. Yes, there were some missed holding penalties (one on Jennings late in the game), but overall I think the vikings had the benefit of most calls yesterday.

Although I will say Romo should have been flagged for kicking the ball forward with his foot after a 4th down play. I thought for sure that was illegal.

Should have been 15 yards unsportsmanlike conduct.

[NDVikeFan]

Should have been 15 yards unsportsmanlike conduct.

There also should have been unsportsmanlike conduct on Robert Blanton late in the game. Dez Bryant dropped the one ball and Blanton got right up in his face and started clapping. It could have easily drawn a flag for taunting and I was surprised it didn't.

Refs had a tough day but I don't think anything they missed changed the outcome.

[saint33]

I think even worse than the blocks and fumble on they play is the play call in that spot. Play action in the end zone is just asking for something bad to happen.

[psjordan]

I think even worse than the blocks and fumble on they play is the play call in that spot. Play action in the end zone is just asking for something bad to happen.

Well I honestly think it's all related - deep down I am sure some part of the refs thought process is "if you guys are stupid enough to drop back in the end zone for a pass, well, you ain't getting my sympathy on a marginal call".
My only hope from this play, which is frankly disgusting to watch, is that Frazier has the stones to run it for the team in the film room, point out Kalil, then re-run it. And re-run it. And re-run it. Run it in slow motion. Run it zeroed in on Kalil. Then run it five more times. Then have Kalil stand up and tell Ponder what his thought process was. That was a lot different than say Ponder making the wrong read or not seeing someone open. That was a complete and total lack of effort and caring the ENTIRE play, and there should be absolutely no tolerance for that from the coaching staff.