GB@Chicago - Horse Collar Tackles

[aschramm]

First off, I'll start with the disclaimer that I'm a Packers fan. That being said...

The first one, definitely was a late hit out of bounds (which was the penalty that was given). I personally thought it was a horse-collar, as it seemed the defender had his hand inside of the shoulder pads. Either way, I believe the penalty yardage is the same, so no big deal in that part.

The second one I thought was very borderline. Not that it mattered much though, the Packers defense just felt like playing 3 quarters again last night.

This statement, "He said if the official was wrong then the announcers would have said so" is just so full of wrong...

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by aschramm

The first one, definitely was a late hit out of bounds (which was the penalty that was given). I personally thought it was a horse-collar, as it seemed the defender had his hand inside of the shoulder pads. Either way, I believe the penalty yardage is the same, so no big deal in that part.

In the college rules, this is only one factor in determining it is a horse collar tackle. Not all tackles done this way are a foul. He actually picked up him up doing this and then threw him down (an incredibly athletic move when you think about it). It wasn't a play where he pulled the runner backward from behind.

I'm sorry to hear you are a Packer fan. I am a Vikings fan so I had a vested interest in the game but I am looking at this as a learning official, not as a "fanboy".

[BktBallRef]

I thought both were good calls and violations of the horse collar rule, based on what's been called all season.

The first one was OOB but it was still a horse collar. Had the play ended inbounds, there's no doubt it would still have been flagged.

In the second, while he did have the other arm on him, there's no doubt he pulled him down by the collar.

[wisref2]

I believe the NFL rule is a bit different than the college rule. In NCAA, the take down has to be immediate - I don't think the NFL rule includes that wording.

I, too, am a Packer fan and thought the call against the Packers was a good call, and a rather obviously simple call.

[OverAndBack]

The NFL rule:
Section 2, Article 1: "All players are prohibited from: (d) grabbing the inside collar of the back of the shoulder pads or jersey, or the inside collar of the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, and immediately* pulling down the runner. This does not apply to a runner who is in the tackle box or to a quarterback who is in the pocket."

*Underline is mine, not in the rule book.