DutchBird
Well-Known Member
Just rewatched the sequence:
1. The ball is barely out of Rudolph's hands when Garret makes contact for the tackle. Less than a single step.
2. Garret spins Rudolph to avoid a roughing, the spin is NOT egregious. It was pretty much a bear hug bringing Rudoph down.
That takes roughing the passer out of the equation.
3. Mason, in response grabs the back of Garret's helmet and tries to rip it off. One of the replay shots actually shows him trying to rip Garret's helmet off by the back and by grabbing the facemask with the other hand.
4. Garret retaliates, ripping Rudolph's helmet off.
5 De Castro and nr 71 (who already were pulling on Garret while Garret and Rudolph were still on the ground at the moment Rudolph was pulling on the back of Garret's helmet) drag Garret away, with De Castro in fact putting himself in between Garret and Rudolph (it is in this process that Rudolph's helmet actually comes off).
6 Rudolph actually charges at Garret, with Garret being pushed back by De Castro. It is at this point that Garret swings the helmet.
7. Pouncey comes in throwing punches, while De Castro holds Garret, and when Garret ends up on the ground (with De Castro on top of him) actually starts to kick Garret, aiming for Garret's head. If he does not connect it is because Cleveland's nr 50's legs are in the way.
Conclusion:
1. Rudolph initiates the whole thing by grabbing at Garret's helmet (n the back, trying to rip it off) first.
2. Rudolph - when Garret is being pushed away and held/restrained by De Castro, actually charges at Garret (who swings the helmet in response).
3. Pouncey (with Garret being held/restrained by De Castro) actually throws punches and tries to kick Garret in the head.
Result:
Both Garret and Pouncey should be suspended at least for the season, and IMHO Pouncy actually longer than Garret.
Rudolp should also be fined and suspended, arguably for as long as Garret.
BTW - I used the NFL Game Pass replay, with the TV slomos.
1. The ball is barely out of Rudolph's hands when Garret makes contact for the tackle. Less than a single step.
2. Garret spins Rudolph to avoid a roughing, the spin is NOT egregious. It was pretty much a bear hug bringing Rudoph down.
That takes roughing the passer out of the equation.
3. Mason, in response grabs the back of Garret's helmet and tries to rip it off. One of the replay shots actually shows him trying to rip Garret's helmet off by the back and by grabbing the facemask with the other hand.
4. Garret retaliates, ripping Rudolph's helmet off.
5 De Castro and nr 71 (who already were pulling on Garret while Garret and Rudolph were still on the ground at the moment Rudolph was pulling on the back of Garret's helmet) drag Garret away, with De Castro in fact putting himself in between Garret and Rudolph (it is in this process that Rudolph's helmet actually comes off).
6 Rudolph actually charges at Garret, with Garret being pushed back by De Castro. It is at this point that Garret swings the helmet.
7. Pouncey comes in throwing punches, while De Castro holds Garret, and when Garret ends up on the ground (with De Castro on top of him) actually starts to kick Garret, aiming for Garret's head. If he does not connect it is because Cleveland's nr 50's legs are in the way.
Conclusion:
1. Rudolph initiates the whole thing by grabbing at Garret's helmet (n the back, trying to rip it off) first.
2. Rudolph - when Garret is being pushed away and held/restrained by De Castro, actually charges at Garret (who swings the helmet in response).
3. Pouncey (with Garret being held/restrained by De Castro) actually throws punches and tries to kick Garret in the head.
Result:
Both Garret and Pouncey should be suspended at least for the season, and IMHO Pouncy actually longer than Garret.
Rudolp should also be fined and suspended, arguably for as long as Garret.
BTW - I used the NFL Game Pass replay, with the TV slomos.