I can empathize with Taylor Potts – Sergio Kindle’s bone-jarring sack just won’t go away. From countless SportsCenter highlight reels to the blogosphere to a record-setting four appearances in my inbox, Kindle’s hit has been everywhere during the past week. And why not? He absolutely obliterated Texas Tech QB Taylor Potts and may have killed any shot that Marlon Winn had at becoming an NFL offensive lineman (the only right tackle who’s ever had to feel worse about a blown assignment is the guy who decided to play matador with Lawrence Taylor instead of protecting Joe Theismann). As a Texas Ex who made my way back to the 40 Acres for the showdown, I couldn’t have been happier.
From the moment ABC replayed the sack and Brent Musberger was rendered speechless, discussion has focused on the legality of Kindle’s hit. Did he make first contact with Potts’ helmet or chest? In perhaps the only well-reasoned analysis of Kindle’s hit on Potts, SI FanNation writer Andy Staples proves that the Texas defensive end was in the clear. “He [Kindle] planted his face into the ball, which Potts had clutched to his chest. Then Kindle did what any good tackler is taught to do. He exploded from the knees up and drove his body through the ballcarrier. This explosion caused the crown of his helmet to rise into Potts’ helmet.”
Exactly. Case closed. But it shouldn’t be.
You see, Kindle’s hit was technically legal, but the real problem and the larger issue is the rule itself. Under NCAA rules, if a helmet-to-helmet hit occurs, the player at fault can be suspended and his team penalized. On the surface, this rule makes a lot of sense – its goal is to protect players plain and simple. The consequences, however, could be far-reaching.
When players slow down to think about exactly which part of their body initiates contact with another player, their pace of play drops dramatically (i.e., Bad Roy Williams performance after the creation of an NFL rule banning horse collar tackling – he’s been rendered utterly ineffective). In many cases, players become timid and hesitant and are in far greater physical danger than before. Most coaches will tell you that chances of an injury are greatly reduced when players are moving at full-speed – most blown knees occur when a player is standing still or running slowly, which is when the foot has had time to plant.
Watch Kindle’s hit again. As he comes around Winn, he’s moving at full speed. Had he slowed down to make certain that he didn’t hit Potts’ helmet, he most likely would have dropped his helmet even further. He then would have struck Potts with the very top of his helmet or tried to bend his head back, almost ensuring a neck injury.
I’m not naïve. I’ve played and/or watched football for more than two decades, and I know full well that it is a dangerous sport that demands scrutiny and regulation to ensure the safety of the men who play the game. However, a worrisome trend has developed in recent years, starting in the NFL and trickling down to the NCAA, of over-regulating on-field player movement to the point of causing more harm than good. Instead of adding more rules during the next offseason, perhaps the Rules Committee should rethink some current ones.
Watch the hit below, just for fun:
So much for Internet rumors. Reportedly (by several sources) considered the biggest longshot of the three Longhorns in academic limbo to regain his eligibility, senior cornerback Deon Beasley has been cleared to play by the NCAA. He is eligible to play this weekend against Texas Tech.
From the official university press release:
The NCAA academic eligibility issues for University of Texas senior cornerback Deon Beasley have been resolved. Beasley will be eligible to play immediately, beginning with tomorrow’s Texas Tech game. There is no update on the two other players with unresolved NCAA academic eligibility issues.
Before his status came into question Beasley was working as the team’s fourth corner. No official information
Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley will be back catching Colt McCoy passes next year
As expected, Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. After missing his first two seasons due to injuries to his knee and then hamstring, Jordan was almost assured of getting the extra year but the NCAA sometimes works in mysterious ways. His return means Heisman runner-up Colt McCoy will have his favorite target back for another run at a title and more postseason honors.
Quan Cosby will be gone to the NFL but now Shipley, Brandon Collins, Malcolm Williams, and James Kirkendoll will all be back. The youngsters grew up a lot this season and if Williams or Dan Buckner step up outside next year’s receiving corps could be even better than this season. Add a tight end and a running threat to one of the country’s top offenses and Texas fans should be pretty excited about the numbers that will be put up in 2009.
The official press release from the university is posted below:
AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas’ request for a sixth year of eligibility for WR Jordan Shipley was granted by the NCAA on Monday, Longhorn head coach Mack Brown confirmed. That means Shipley, who missed the entire 2004 and 05 seasons due to knee and hamstring injuries, will return as a senior in 2009.
“It is definitely a blessing to be able to play one more season at Texas,” said Shipley. “This is such a great place, and I’ve had an unbelievable experience. Obviously, it started slow due to the injuries, but I couldn’t be happier with the NCAA’s decision to give me one of those years back.”
Shipley was named third-team All-America after posting 79 receptions for 982 yards (12.4 ypc) and 11 TDs in 2008. His 79 receptions rank second on UT’s single-season list, the 982 yards rank fifth and his 11 TDs are third. Shipley’s 6.6 receptions per game are tied for 18th nationally and his 81.8 yards per game rank 29th. He also returned both a punt and a kickoff for a TD during the season, becoming just the fourth Longhorn to do so in a career.
“We’re really excited for Jordan and our team that he’s been granted a sixth year,” Brown said. “It was so disappointing for him as he fought through injuries and wasn’t able to play his first two years, but he never wavered. He continued to work hard and stayed positive through it all and has become a tremendous player for us. His efforts should inspire those who are going through tough times, that if you stick with it, you can overcome that adversity.
“Jordan’s a great student and athlete who also is a tremendous role model in the community. He is a guy who represents everything that is good about college football, so he certainly is deserving of being rewarded by getting the year back.”
For his career, Shipley has recorded 122 receptions (No. 8 on UT’s all-time list) for 1,628 yards (No. 9 on UT’s all-time list) and 20 TDs (T-No. 2 on UT’s all-time list) during his 39-game career (20 starts). He set a UT record by catching a TD pass in eight consecutive games to open 2008, bettering Limas Sweed’s seven-game streak in 2006, and has caught a TD pass in 11 of his last 15 games.
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