While this may be the unpopular opinion – especially given the increase of calls to improve player safety in the NFL – but I think that the Niners were robbed on Sunday because of the personal foul penalty on Ahmad Brooks on his strip sack of Drew Brees.
I thought that it was an alright hit – a bit high, but not a penalty. Also, Brooks most certainly did not deserve the fine he was slapped with on Wednesday either.
But Bill Simmons brought up an interesting point on his podcast this week: Where can you hit Brees?
He’s one of the smallest QBs in the league, which creates an interesting dilemma for both defenders and the refs. He has such a small ‘strike zone’ that almost any time a defender gets to him, unless it’s a wrap-up tackle, it could be a penalty.
For instance, when Brooks hit Brees, the Saints QB lower his body to brace for the hit – which is natural human reaction. But that caused Brooks’ arm to slide from his chest up onto Brees’ neck – and that’s where we have a problem.
Had this been an average-sized player getting hit, that arm wouldn’t have come up so high and then the Niners win the game.
Instead, a couple of plays later the Saints are booting the winning field and dooming San Fran to the wildcard round in the playoffs.
So, maybe it is an advantage to be a short QB and not the other way around. Let’s put it this way: I don’t see this call ever being made against 6’7†Mike Glennon.
Pick: New Orleans -9 over ATLANTA
Last week: 4-9-2
This season: 73-82-6