Dante Wesley hit, good hit or cheap shot?

[SmootsDaddy89]

Is anyone not surprised that Aqib Talib didn't get any penalties or an ejection himself? dude went off and instigated the fight and kept trying to go after Wesley and other Panthers players after he was pulled away from the fight pile and this isn't the first time he's done it. Pretty sure he bumped a ref too. (still bothers me Steve Smith got ejected for it back in 2005 and refs don't do anything for things way worse)

Yes.

[Jangler]

Wesley would be one helluva tree trimmer.

[RazzleDazzle]

Good fuging hit, this is what are team needed. Who gives a fug, hurt the other team dammit. Everyone quit complaining.

[Firefox]

I've read things from "there being 3 players back to receive the punt", to "the ball "landing 4 yards behind him".

How 'bout watching the replay - http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d8137dace/Dante-Wesley-ejection

.. then get back to me on those observations.

Clearly there was 1 player back to receive the punt. Clearly there are 2 other TB players running downfield several steps BEHIND Wesley. Clearly the ball lands about a foot from where the receivers feet were before he was blasted away.

Be sure to get back to me

[Chickenstring]

If Wesley was a rookie I would give him a very small break on this one, but he's an 8-year veteran of the NFL. He knew better and still did it. I really don't believe that there was any truly malicious intent but he knew better before the notion crossed his mind so yes...It was a dirty hit and he deserves whatever he's got coming and probably more.

And as far as there being two other guys and the ball landing 4 feet behind him...Yeah that can explain away malice but nothing more.

[solidkjames]

It was a ill timed attempt to make a big hit. He was setting up to catch the ball and Wesley tried to time it. I honestly do believe it was a mistake because if he had wanted to hurt him he could have hit him head to head and broken the guys neck.

[Jangler]

Good f**king hit, this is what are team needed. Who gives a f**k, hurt the other team dammit. Everyone quit complaining.

If this had happened to a player on our team you would not be saying this. Take the bong out of your mouth and be a little more consistent.

With that said.....pass the bong.

[Guild]

If he had timed it correctly he could of laid exactly the same hit against the receiver after he caught the ball and break the receiver's neck and there would be no problem. It sucks that he didn't time it correctly and that other guy was shaken up but I think it should have just been a penalty. He will likely be made an example out of however.

[Chickenstring]

There is no doubt that Wesley did not see the ball anywhere near the returner so he knew good and well that he was hitting him early, my guess hoping that it was closer than it was so it would be (or better yet look like) a legitimate hit. He has played sound football for 8 years without doing something like this so no I wouldn't call him a dirty player, but that was a dirty AND cheap hit and there was no excuse for it...period.

[mountainpantherfan]

I've read things from "there being 3 players back to receive the punt", to "the ball "landing 4 yards behind him".

How 'bout watching the replay - http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d8137dace/Dante-Wesley-ejection

.. then get back to me on those observations.

Clearly there was 1 player back to receive the punt. Clearly there are 2 other TB players running downfield several steps BEHIND Wesley. Clearly the ball lands about a foot from where the receivers feet were before he was blasted away.

Be sure to get back to me

Alright, I'm getting back to you...

I made my post solely off of memory from watching the game. I did look at the replay and you are completely correct that other two Bucs were running down field. I was wrong.

But after watching this replay several times I have a couple of thoughts.

1) Wesley thought Smith had already caught the ball. People who are saying the hit came 2 seconds or so before the ball got there are crazy. Wesley was literally a fraction of a sec off from timing that hit perfectly. Another reason why I feel Wesley thought Smith already caught the ball was because he went after the "fumble" after the hit.

2) Not only did Wesley think he caused a fumble but so did #27 from the Bucs. I can't make out the name on the Jersey but after the hit he goes after the ball with Wesley.

3) #54 for the Bucs should be suspended. I can't tell if who all in the maylee afterwards was or wasn't on the field during the kick off but #54 wasn't waring a helment and the number one rule in football is you don't take your helment off when going into a fight. So this guy was on the sidelines and came onto the field to join in.

4) Here is exactly what the ref said, "Fair catch interfernce which was also a personal foul, #21 of the kicking team, that player by virtue of his actions is disqualified form further participation; 15 yard penalty and automatic 1st down." So he was ejected for the hit and not what happened after the hit. And the personal foul was the penalty accessed to the team as fair catch interference I believe is only a 10 yard penalty.

5) No fair catch was signaled. Or if it was it was not done in the manner that is described in the NFL rules. So the official ruling on the field was incorrect but that doesn't mean the personal foul, which was the one assecced to the team, wasn't correct either.

6) Tilib was out of control and should have been ejected as well. No questions asked.

[RazzleDazzle]

If this had happened to a player on our team you would not be saying this. Take the bong out of your mouth and be a little more consistent.

With that said.....pass the bong.

Funny, I was hitting a bong while posting that. It was a good hit, I want to see that on every play. If anyone should be fined, it's Steve Smith for not knocking Talib out for running his mouth. Screw the Bucs, I hate every player on there team and I will continue to laugh when one of their players get hurt.

[Phil Dees]

Know the rules?? WHAT RULEBOOK ARE YOU READING? Id love to see that rule. If the return has the right to the ball FIND THE RULE!! THE REASON WHY PEOPLE SLOW UP AROUND THE RETURNER IS BECAUSE HE CALLED FAIRCATCH!!! Go and watch your replays. Nobody stands around in front of the punt returner and he didn't call fair catch. That's ridiculous

Learned the rule yet?

[Phil Dees]

When a PR dose not call for Fair catch you clean him up. That is what is taught also. It was clean until you show proof other wise. poo happens get over it.

How you like your crow?

[Panthers128]

i think wesley outran the play and realized he would not be able to stop his momentum. instead of giving a chance for a touchdown he cleaned up his mistake

i'll take this over captain munnerlyn running past the punt returner and it being taken back for a TD any day of the week. 15 yards is better than a score. assuming the play will be made minus one player is not acceptable at the end of the half or game. you prevent the opportunity to score.

in fact, i don't see why teams wouldn't alway intentionally take the penalty in that scenario, but with a softer hit than what wesley delivered.