Florida player Matt Elam - A study in violence

Submitted by Blazefire on

I realize that the odds we have any dealings with Florida this year are pretty low, though I suppose the B1G will still end up with their usual Capitol One, Champions, etc bowl slate, so one never knows. Either way, I could not let this opportunity pass us by.

Presenting to you all: Matt Elam, a study in violence.

Now, before you condemn Elam for playing killshot football, you should be aware that Elam was not trying to play football at all. This is simply how he introduces himself to friends and new acquaintances.

No, seriously. If we do end up playing Florida, we need to petition the refs to allow the post-game handshake to be conducted y mail.

Monocle Smile

October 9th, 2012 at 1:16 AM ^

I think he's just kind of a dipshit with waaaay too much energy who plays with zero fucks given. The thread title mildly implies the workings of a sociopath.

justingoblue

October 9th, 2012 at 2:39 AM ^

If he did lead with the crown of his helmet, shouldn't it be a personal foul for targeting (NCAA rule 9-1 3a)? My football rules knowledge is definitely behind a lot of other people on the board, but this seems fairly black and white.

ARTICLE 3. a. No player shall initiate contact and target an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul.

justingoblue

October 9th, 2012 at 3:26 AM ^

Section B of that rule deals with helmet to helmet and defenseless player hits. I'd also just say that a play can be dirty or a bad choice even if a referee doesn't call it or refuses to call it. I doubt this hit was the worst thing that happened even in this one quarter, but it does look illegal, at least the way I'm reading the rule.

JHendo

October 9th, 2012 at 9:02 AM ^

He didn't lead with the crown.  If you look closely, he's getting his helmet in front of the player he's trying to tackle.  The top of his helmet never hits the other guy, at least like everyone here is talking about.  This is a perfect example of putting your earhole on  the far side of who your tackling.  Nothing illegal about from my point of view, matter of fact, if he had wrapped up, it would be a pretty perfect tackle.

the unsilent m…

October 9th, 2012 at 10:08 AM ^

I was always taught from the very beginning that you should be looking at what you are tackling... "facemask up".  First, you need to see what you are tackling, and; second, putting your head down and looking at the ground is a good way to injure your neck.  I don't know if it was so much an illegal hit on the ball carrier as it was a good way to get hurt because he appears to be looking at the ground when he makes the hit. 

This is why I love watching Kocacs so much and why I have my kids watch him.  He is fundamentally sound, and when he makes a tackle his hips are under his shoulders and his facemask is typically buried into the ballcarrier. 

JHendo

October 9th, 2012 at 10:31 AM ^

Yeah, I'd like to see a slower gif of this, because I just can't tell exactly what's he's doing there.   I swear it looks like he has his facemask up and is putting his earhole right on the the other players thigh pad, making it a beautiful hit.  If it is in fact pointing down, then you're absolutely right, and it would turn this into a still clean, yet very stupid/risky play.

Hemlock Philosopher

October 9th, 2012 at 8:44 AM ^

 

I went to the Swamp for the LSU game last weekend - it was my first foray out of the B1G (and ND). I had "a real good time". 

Observations on the teams - Florida played great D most of the game. The middle of the field was open for the first 2/3s of the first drive and if LSUs QB was better at the deep ball, there may have been something there as well. Also the right side of the O-line flat out dominated LSU in the second half. 

The Field - The N-S orientation coupled with the 3:30 start left LSU in the sun for most of the game, while UF was in the shade the whole game. By mid-way through the 3rd quarter, LSU looked beat. Conditioning or baking on the surface of the sun? I believe it was a huge advantage for the home team. Something to think of when we ask for a H&H versus the SEC in September. 

Everything else - The people were nice, the beer was cold and weather hot. It's a very nice campus as well with good "scenery". 

Magnus

October 9th, 2012 at 9:55 AM ^

The first hit looks pretty clean to me.  He drops his head, but I don't think it's intended to hurt the guy.  It's just unsafe tackling form (for himself).  Hitting a guy in the midsection with your head is more likely to hurt you than someone else.  Now if you're hitting someone in the chest or the head with your head lowered, then that becomes dangerous for both people.