Roman was targeted
SIAP, but 10:04 of 2nd quarter, out pattern. Iowa safety clearly lowered the crown and hit Roman in the chin. Why this wasn't reviewed, why the staff didn't challenge really pissed me off. Sorry, pisses me off.
[Ed-Seth: I uploaded the replays to gfycat:
and
]
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:36 PM ^
You can't challenge targeting as a staff. I would have to go back and watch the play because I honestly don't remember seeing it but it is 100% up to the onfield refs and review booth on any potential targeting. Review booth can iniative a review even if no flag is thrown but that is it. Speaking of Wilson the post game recap mentioned that he left the game at some point in the second half and did not return. Have we got word what it was at all? Was it related to this hit earlier the game maybe or something else.
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:48 PM ^
Call timeout and go ballistic, give the replay crew time to see replays and there's a chance they call down. At the very least I hope they send the tape in.
Start at 26:43 of this vid
https://youtu.be/RLhafQLvqFk
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:55 PM ^
There is also a chance you burn a timeout for nothing which could cost you later in a game. The replay official is either on top of it or not but I can't fault a team for not burning on a timeout just hoping he will get off his ass to do his job.
October 3rd, 2022 at 3:02 PM ^
If I'm remembering correctly, didn't Harbaugh try a variation of this in an attempt to get a BS targeting call on Devin Bush (Jr) overturned against Sparty. Called the TO to give them time to look at it but it was not reversed.
October 3rd, 2022 at 4:52 PM ^
It's first half, so not all that critical to preserve the TO's.
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:58 PM ^
If that is the still shot of the contact than no that is not targeting to me. Defenders helmet is off to the side of the head and neck area. It does not matter where it went after, it is all based on initial point of contact.
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:48 PM ^
It's hard to get the timing right on the stills. Watch the YouTube clip I linked above. First still shows Iowa player with head down, crown coming in vs. facemask. Second still is Roman's head after being knocked backward, not him moving it out of the way. Him popping up is irrelevant to whether it was targeting.
October 3rd, 2022 at 4:41 PM ^
It was 100% absolutely targeting. He directly hit him in the side of the facemask with the crown of his helmet. The above shot was taken only after Wilson's head snapped to the side and the defenders helmet slid to the side after impact as well (cuz you know, that's what happens after collisions).
This was the point of impact:
That's leading with the crown of your helmet hitting the guy right in the face which was obvious when Wilson's head snapped to the side. Even if this guys head first hit his shoulder and slid into Wilson face which isn't clear and he still hit his head very hard, it's still textbook targeting.
That's not a shoulder hit. Your head doesn't turn like that if you get hit in the shoulder. That's a head hit. I was irate when they didn't call this.
October 3rd, 2022 at 4:49 PM ^
That's the kind of thing you may only feel the full effect of in your 40s and 50s. That's why umpires MUST be on top of that stuff.
October 3rd, 2022 at 5:31 PM ^
Well, shit. So that's what been bothering me lately...just thought it was these damn kids.
October 3rd, 2022 at 7:12 PM ^
That's the still shot of right after the blow to the head. It's a shot of Roman's head snapped 180°.
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:06 PM ^
In that screen grab the Iowa player does not seem like he is leading with the crown of the helmet and he is hitting the shoulder, not head/neck area.
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:15 PM ^
Yeah that is what I see, do not see really either element of the criteria met in that shot of initial contact.
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:22 PM ^
I watched the video on slow-mo. He does lower his head but he makes contact with his shoulder pads and as he drives through there is contact with the helmet. From what I understand of the rule and how I've seen it called/not called this year this does not seem like a targeting.
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:26 PM ^
I believe that is correct, both elements would have to be met in this case and it would need to be on initial contact.
October 3rd, 2022 at 5:03 PM ^
I agree, this is not targeting and probably not something the coaches want them to start calling.
October 3rd, 2022 at 5:06 PM ^
I agree, this is not targeting and probably not something the coaches want them to start calling.
October 3rd, 2022 at 5:14 PM ^
He absolutely hit his helmet first, see the above shots and how his head twisted before his shoulder was even hit. Textbook targeting.
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:27 PM ^
how is that roman's chin?
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:33 PM ^
Unless Roman has an extra chin on his shoulder. I mean I am assuming the defenders helmet drifted after because of physics but that is irrelevant. All based on initial point of contact and is definitely not on Roman' head or neck area in that shot.
October 3rd, 2022 at 3:25 PM ^
the contact appeared more face to face when i watched the video
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:48 PM ^
upon further review in slo mo, it could have easily been called targeting.
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:57 PM ^
Honestly, it is because Roman popped up so quickly that it probably didn't seem like it was that bad in real time.
The exact same thing happened to Donovan Edwards in the B1G Title Game on the double pass TD last year.
You hate to tell guys to let out their inner Italian soccer player but it would be useful in those situations.
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:58 PM ^
There is an option in Youtube to start the video at a particular spot so we don't have to go hunting for it. More precisely, the hit happens at 27:04. Starting at 27:01 with the pass:
https://youtu.be/RLhafQLvqFk?t=1621
I can see what you're saying. Lining up for the hit:
the aftermath:
Now that you mention, I do recall wondering whether or not that should have been called for targeting.
October 3rd, 2022 at 3:17 PM ^
I've gotta say that looks like a pretty swell "form tackle". His head is actually "up" as the picture shows immediately before contact.
October 4th, 2022 at 1:30 AM ^
That was way before contact. Like a full step.
October 3rd, 2022 at 3:30 PM ^
In real time, myself and everyone watching it with me were wondering why there wasn't a targeting review from the officiating crew. It was, and remains very clear.
October 3rd, 2022 at 5:25 PM ^
Considering the refs, replaybooth, announcers, didn't call it and there is disagreement even on this forum...it is not very clear.
October 3rd, 2022 at 6:06 PM ^
I agree, the broadcast and the replays really don't show anything, You have to slow it down and watch the initial contact to actually see that is was crown to face mask targeting, in real time it was hard to see. I can see how it was missed
October 3rd, 2022 at 9:35 PM ^
Well Da!
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:17 PM ^
Thanks for the info about Roman Wilson not playing in the latter stages of the game. I'll listen for any news in either the press conference or on WTKA as this week progresses.
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:58 PM ^
My take on the targeting rule is replay officials have to watch real time 2-3 times max. If you are making plays at 20 MPH you dont get to judge those plays one frame at a time. If its targeting youll know. Single frame and slow mo is giving you a judgement at speeds the player didnt have the advantage of. No slow mo allowed at all. They arent Neo.
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:38 PM ^
I don’t think you can challenge for a targeting review? I’m pretty sure the refs need to throw a flag for targeting to be able to go review it
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:40 PM ^
Review booth also can buzz down and initiative a review even if no flag is thrown on the field. But in either case targeting can not be challenged by an actual staff.
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:38 PM ^
I challenge the Iowa staff to a chicken chasing competition
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:44 PM ^
Are you trying to summon Cal Haladay?
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:13 PM ^
I challenge the Iowa staff to admit this was a targeting penalty and publicly apologize.
Oh, who am I kidding. This is essentially the same staff that caused 20% of their football team to develop rhabdomyolysis - in the most famous case of lactic acid-related injury since PFC William T. Santiago of Wayward Basecamp, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - and didn't flinch. They don't care...
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:20 PM ^
Windward* . If it was "wayward" I doubt they have that tough reputation! ;-) I'm sure you can, but this has to go here:
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:22 PM ^
Hey man, I did that from memory. You're lucky I didn't call him Maj. Wilma C. Suarez...
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:37 PM ^
Nah, you're good. I just love that movie and Nicholson's performance. I use that meme a lot.
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:42 PM ^
I miss seeing Jack in movies. I also miss Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall. They should get together and make one last movie called "Scary-Serious Old White Guys."
October 3rd, 2022 at 6:04 PM ^
Yes! -- and there is precedent.
The Expendables was basically that for 80s - early 90s action stars.....and they made 3 of them.
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:39 PM ^
I don't remember it. Was it on a ball thrown to Wilson?
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:48 PM ^
Yes, it was the 3 yard out where DeJean tackled him.
i had to go back and look at it myself and, yep, the OP has a good point. Roman's helmet immediately shifting direction is the tell that he got nailed in the earhole.
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:01 PM ^
Not actually true, sometimes the players head moves just from the impact of the collision. Honestly the still above does not look like targeting to me, defenders helmet is not anywhere near Wilson's neck or head on initial contact. It's actually off to the side of his shoulder.
October 3rd, 2022 at 2:19 PM ^
On another note, that DeJean fella is a damn good football player. Kinda like Micah Hyde is a damn good football player.
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:39 PM ^
I could be mistaken, but if the refs do not throw a flag, I don't think you can challenge and ask for one.
October 3rd, 2022 at 1:43 PM ^
Correct, review booth can however buzz down for any play even with no onfield flag. But I think we all know asking for Big Ten officials to actually be competent is a big ask.