There were several things that never should have happened in the game Sunday. You can see one of them above, where Robert Quinn is screaming at Cam Newton while Newton wanders off the field in a semi-daze after being hit by the St. Louis defensive end.
The previous blog item talks about six of the things I liked most in Carolina's 30-15 win over the St. Louis Rams Sunday. But there were also more things than usual in a Panther win that I found distressing in both teams' behavior. Here's a short list of four -- feel free to add or comment to it.
1) The picture above shows Robert Quinn, the Rams' defensive end, yelling what Newton would later refer to as "explicits" following Quinn's hit of Newton. Listen, I know football is an emotional game, but there's something wrong with this. You hurt a guy, you know he's hurt -- and then you yell at him?!
Newton said this was what prompted the ensuing brawl -- not that Quinn hit him (it was legal), but what he said later. It made the normally mild-mannered Jordan Gross go after Quinn, and then the fracas started.
And what the heck is wrong with Quinn anyway?
I used to really like the guy. I went down to South Carolina five years ago to write about him when he was in high school -- he had survived a brain tumor and was about to make his collegiate choice. I liked him and his parents, both of whom I met.
Quinn ultimately chose North Carolina, but the Tar Heels certainly wish he didn't now. Quinn was heavily involved in the agent scandal that has brought the football program to his knees. Now he's a great NFL defensive end, but he's doing needless stuff like this.
(After the game I didn't have a chance to talk to Quinn, but he didn't say much to other reporters besides noting that his hit on Newton was legal, which it was).
2) Chris Long (see picture at end of this blog). I know Long regrets throwing the punch that led to his ejection -- he said so after the game. But video shows at least two Panther fans throwing things at Long while he made his "walk of shame" to the locker room.
Long didn't get hurt, but c'mon, man -- those Panther fans should be as ashamed as Long. The actions of a couple of knuckleheads made everyone in the stands look bad. As Fox Sports' Dick Stockton correctly called those fans' behaviors on the telecast: "Inexcusable."
3) Sam Bradford/Mike Mitchell play. On a fourth-quarter play in which Bradford scrambled for a one-yard gain, Mitchell pushed him out of bounds. Then he lifted his arms to the sky and celebrated. Mitchell said later he didn't know Bradford was hurt -- "Absolutely not man, c'mon. I'm not that type of guy," he said. And he thought he had gotten a sack on the play (one yard earlier on the push-out, and he would have). And he avoided any personal-foul penalty then or at any other time in the game.
Still, I'm sure Mitchell regrets so dramatically celebrating the play that ended up putting Bradford out for the season with a torn ACL. Certainly, it didn't look good on TV. And I personally regret Bradford getting hurt (which was not Mitchell's fault, just bad luck). I think he's a classy guy and enjoy watching him.
4) One last regret, and this is just a personal preference. Can we ban the use of the word "chippy" to describe incidents like these? What does that even mean? It is becoming as prevalent as "it is what it is" as a catch-all phrase.
Chris Long walks off the field after being ejected. Fans threw at least two items at him during this walk.
Posts
18 comments:
Chris Long was cursing at the crowd as he made direct contact with them. He should share the blame for the throwing of the bottles.
I regret the refs not seeing Quick throw that punch. He should have taken the walk of shame too. Also, Harvey Dahl is the dirtiest player in the league. He continually extended plays past the whistle from the first snap, then got a personal foul on a cheap shot, then came back on the field and went after Mitchell. He should have been sent to the locker room with Long and Quick. I lost a lot of respect for Jeff Fisher Sunday.
This article is dumb.. who does Scott think he is? When you buy a ticket; you can tell me how to ac. When you put on pads or put a deposit on an NFL team; you can critique the players. I'm glad Bradford got hurt.. maybe that will teach the Rams to shut up. Being here in Phoenix, i see the Rams 2x a year. This is normal for them.
No. He should not.
No Jeremy it doesn't. Players are the reason to come. There is zero reason for any fan to think he or she is included in what happens on the field. If you can't handle names being called at you, I suggest asking your mommy not to bring you to games. Adults know better.
I think the players need to keep their mouth shut when they walk off. that being said, the fans dont need to shout at them or throw things at them either. id love to see that person who threw the bottle to try and step up to chris long like a man. these people that yell and throw things would stand no chance against these NFL guys. but because theyre protected by the stands they think theyre big and bad. but yeah, chris long should have kept his mouth shut too.
There bes a lot of disrespect going on.
...but then again, too few to mention...
I think in the case of Long, it could have been avoided if he was taken through the Panthers' tunnel instead of walked behind the end zone and past the crowd. Fans were excited and angry and had been drinking through the first half. The stadium tunnel leads all the way around the facility and by taking him through there would have avoided the entire spectacle. It's where Bradford was carted through. I blame the fans that threw the bottles, but stadium or league officials could have avoided the incident.
I for one am glad to see our fans start getting onto other players - we have (per some of the writers on here, no less) a very vanilla flavor. So we finally get into a game, and suddenly we are condemned? I think not - glad to see us stand up for ourselves and hopefully we do it again when other fans (ATL) come and act like they own our stadium.
"Anonymous" lost respect for Jeff Fisher?
That respect should have been lost when he defended Albert Haynesworth's head stomp.
Fisher not only tolerates -but by his actions, words and defending of dirty play - encourages it. He is the Patrick Roy of the NFL.
Mike Mitchell celebrated right in front of the bench with hands in the air which will definitely insight a fight from the opposing team!! That was uncalled for period and childish! Just like in his Raider days, he needs to grow up! I understand his push was legal and Sam's injury was a stroke of bad luck and the fact that Mitchell didnt know Sam was injured, but Mitchell's celebration was in bad taste!!!
While we're banning the word "chippy" can we also add the phrase "in space." Players are always making great tackles "in space" or making a great catch "in space". Where did this come from? Pay attention to it the next time you watch a game on TV. You can even make a drinking game out of it. The last time I heard people talking that much about "space" I was watching a movie starring Ed Harris.
I regret that... Steve Smith did NOT punch Janoris Jenkins in his mouth.
One fan getting as out of control as some of the other teams players does not make the rest of us look bad Scott.
I did enjoy the passion of the crowd. It's been a while now since this city has come to life.
Cam is cool, calm, and collected. Those are 3 words I never thought I would be saying about the QB of our team. Stats over the past 2 games are off the charts.
Rivera is transforming himself into an NFL head coach. Maybe the Big Cat knew what he was doing all along.
Steve Smith still hasn't grown up. Former App St WR Quick should have been gone. Same for Dahl for going after Mitchell.
Fan enthusiasm is great.. We need more of it. But throwing bottles or other objects at players is low class.. Just because you pay for a ticket doesn't give you the right to act like a jerk.. Sadly that is what gets shown on national television.. the actions of a couple of idiots and it does make us look bad..
Scott you bashed those fans that threw semi/empty plastic water bottles at Long on his walk of shame. C'mon man keep it real were NOT Philly fans. And those guys could teach our fan base a thing or two about tossing stuff. Empty water bottles? PA-lease, they use the Philly fan fast ball technique with D cell batteries! Until then keep it real before you lecture our fans.
Post a Comment