[BostonCard]

<p>

Can't narrow it to just one, although his one-handed catch along the sideline was pretty darned cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlH3717tYLA

</p><p><br></p><p>I'm sure glad that hit was before the targeting rule went into effect.&nbsp; It would have really sucked to lose Luck for the rest of that game.&nbsp;</p>

First, even under the modern day rule, Wright would not have been ruled a "defenseless" player.  Here are the definitions:

• is in the act of, or having just thrown, a pass (or has just thrown a pick)
  
• is catching a pass or kick (or trying to) and hasn’t had time to become a “ball carrier.”
  
• is in the act of kicking, or has just kicked
  
• is on the ground, or a player out of the play
  
• gets blocked from his blind side
  
• has the ball and has had his forward progress stopped
  
• has the ball and is sliding or giving himself up 
  

Wright was none of those; he was considered the ballcarrier.  Consequently, the targeting penalty would have only applied had Luck led with the crown of his helmet.  Even though the modern day targetting rule was not yet adopted (it started in 2013), the helmet-to-helmet rule had been in effect for some time.  I remember having a discussion with someone about whether it met the illegal helmet to helmet hit.  If you look from the reverse angle, it is clear that although Luck and WRight's heads were at the same level, the contact was really with Luck's shoulder.  You can see it at around the 38 second mark.


Ergo, Luck shouldn't have gotten ejected.

BC

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I liked this play from the Orange Bowl.

https://youtu.be/zgnPkLB4O_k?t=6103

He was almost sacked for an 18-yard loss at the 2, and yet managed to complete the pass for the first down.  And of course, my other favorite play from that game (same video at the 1 hr 59 min mark):

https://youtu.be/zgnPkLB4O_k?t=7181

Luck to Fleener.  I love it because you can see the poor linebacker who was burned to a crisp throwing his mouthguard in disgust during the replay.

BC

[BostonCard]

<p>

Can't narrow it to just one, although his one-handed catch along the sideline was pretty darned cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlH3717tYLA

</p><p><br></p><p>I'm sure glad that hit was before the targeting rule went into effect.&nbsp; It would have really sucked to lose Luck for the rest of that game.&nbsp;</p>

First, even under the modern day rule, Wright would not have been ruled a "defenseless" player.  Here are the definitions:

• is in the act of, or having just thrown, a pass (or has just thrown a pick)
  
• is catching a pass or kick (or trying to) and hasn’t had time to become a “ball carrier.”
  
• is in the act of kicking, or has just kicked
  
• is on the ground, or a player out of the play
  
• gets blocked from his blind side
  
• has the ball and has had his forward progress stopped
  
• has the ball and is sliding or giving himself up 
  

Wright was none of those; he was considered the ballcarrier.  Consequently, the targeting penalty would have only applied had Luck led with the crown of his helmet.  Even though the modern day targetting rule was not yet adopted (it started in 2013), the helmet-to-helmet rule had been in effect for some time.  I remember having a discussion with someone about whether it met the illegal helmet to helmet hit.  If you look from the reverse angle, it is clear that although Luck and WRight's heads were at the same level, the contact was really with Luck's shoulder.  You can see it at around the 38 second mark.


Ergo, Luck shouldn't have gotten ejected.

BC

---

I liked this play from the Orange Bowl.

https://youtu.be/zgnPkLB4O_k?t=6103

He was almost sacked for an 18-yard loss at the 2, and yet managed to complete the pass for the first down.  And of course, my other favorite play from that game (same video at the 1 hr 59 min mark):

https://youtu.be/zgnPkLB4O_k?t=7181

Luck to Fleener.  I love it because you can see the poor linebacker who was burned to a crisp throwing his mouthguard in disgust during the replay.

BC