Seth

November 9th, 2013 at 10:35 AM ^

I think what MSU was doing is irrelevant unless you're the guy responsible for what MSU is doing. Since I doubt Dantonio would discipline his players for dirty behavior I would expect the Big Ten would take action if shown the tape and it's indeed pretty bad.

I'm only judging Michigan's response, so what MSU players were doing is irrelevant.

Joined: 10/14/2008

MGoPoints: 149874

njv5352

November 8th, 2013 at 10:15 PM ^

I would have to agree here with Seth. I expect a different kind of standard and Lewan would have taken it for the better of the team. I was disappointed that Hoke was so quick to make the "no suspension" statement at the presser. He should have at least elaborated that it was being handled internally and that there would be discipline of some sort. I felt as though he just brushed it off.

Joined: 06/28/2010

MGoPoints: 472

Mr Miggle

November 9th, 2013 at 12:06 AM ^

has UM ever suspended a player for a dirty play on the field? I'm at a loss to remember any pro of college team ever doing this when the league decided not to. I am sure it must have happened somewhere, sometime, but is exceedingly rare. I think he should have been pulled from the game when it happened. 

Joined: 10/07/2010

MGoPoints: 47773

Magnus

November 9th, 2013 at 2:49 AM ^

You're right that the NFL would fine him, which is their way of holding players accountable without causing them to lose playing time. There are other ways to do that in college - in particular, extra conditioning. NFL coaches don't bother with that sort of thing.

As for your last point, when has a football player been seriously injured by the action you saw Taylor Lewan take against Isaiah Lewis on Saturday? I have asked this question numerous times over the last week since it happened, and I have yet to see anyone even attempt to answer this question. I have been playing, watching, and/or coaching football for the majority of my life, and I have never seen a serious injury from a facemask penalty (or its equivalent).

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166237

Seth

November 9th, 2013 at 10:32 AM ^

I don't have an example. I knew a kid in high school who had a pretty severe neck injury from a facemask during a play. The other thing I have is a supposition that the better fitting helmets of today are more likely to carry the head wherever the facemask goes--when I was in high school linemen would twist each others' facemasks all the time but it would just spin on your head and make it hard to see--not take your head with it.

Anyway I'm going mostly off of common sense: twisting somebody's neck more than 90 degrees seems to be the kind of thing that spines don't like at all. We probably need a doctor to tell us more.

Joined: 10/14/2008

MGoPoints: 149874

TESOE

November 9th, 2013 at 3:09 AM ^

what was going on in the game and in past games.  If Gholston doesn't yank Denard's facemask does Lewan yank this one two years later.  You are crazy if you think the answer is yes.

Both coaching staffs need to take a step back and coach respect for their opponents.  It's not clear whether this is going to blow over or not - but I think it will.  Regardless of Lewan's play - the game this year was much better than 2011 in terms of personal fouls (IMO at least.)

Not calling a suspension is the right move.  I would have been OK with it but this focuses back on football. To make more of this is to focus more attention to it next year.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 8545

1 percent

November 9th, 2013 at 5:06 AM ^

I can't believe I have to say this on this blog but Taylor Lewan is 16. His IP address traces back to a public library in Scottsdale, Arizona. He also has a problem with retarded fat ass aunts in section 4.

Joined: 09/09/2010

MGoPoints: 11273