NFL looking into Harrison's hit on Massaquoi

By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Tuesday, October 19, 2010

The NFL is looking into this James Harrison hit on Cleveland wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, delivered during the second quarter of Sunday's game.

Christopher Horner Tribune-Review

The agent for James Harrison said the Steelers outside linebacker should not be fined or disciplined for a recent hit that the NFL is reviewing.

The NFL is looking into the Harrison blow that knocked Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi out of Sunday's game with a concussion, league spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday.

"It was not a flagged play, and I think it was well within the confines of the game," said Bill Parise, who represents Harrison. "I don't know how you could possibly (fine Harrison). That, to me, would be a ghastly reach."

Massaquoi's and Harrison's helmets collided on a second-quarter play that resulted in an incomplete pass. Massaquoi bobbled a short throw from quarterback Colt McCoy and appeared to duck before Harrison hit him.

Earlier in the quarter, Harrison knocked Josh Cribbs out of the game by hitting him in the helmet at the end of a 1-yard run. Cribbs was falling to the ground on the play when Harrison hit him in the ear hole of his helmet.

The NFL is not reviewing that play.

Cribbs, who had to be revived after the Harrison hit, also suffered a concussion.

After the Steelers' 28-10 win, Harrison said, "I don't want to see anybody injured, but I'm not opposed to hurting anybody."

Neither hit by Harrison drew a penalty, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said they were "legal hits, not fineable hits."

Such hits have come under increased scrutiny by the NFL following a weekend in which Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson also sustained a concussion after getting walloped by Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson.

The NFL may start suspending players for helmet-to-helmet hits it deems excessively violent.

"There's strong testimonial for looking readily at evaluating discipline, especially in the areas of egregious and elevated dangerous hits," NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson told the Associated Press. "Going forward, there are certain hits that occurred that will be more susceptible to suspension."

Browns tight end Ben Watson told the AP that the Harrison hits on Massaquoi and Cribbs fall into that category.

"I hope the NFL does the max," Watson said of the league possibly disciplining Harrison for the hit on Massaquoi. "Whatever the max is, I hope they give it to him."

Harrison was fined $5,000 earlier this season for slamming Vince Young to the turf while sacking the Tennessee Titans quarterback with defensive ends Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel.

Harrison said Sunday it would be a "travesty" if the NFL fined him for his hits on Cribbs, his former college teammate, and Massaquoi.

Parise said Harrison did not launch his body at Massaquoi — New England Patriots safety Brandon Merriweather was penalized for doing that to Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap last Sunday — or lead with his helmet on the play.

"Last time I checked, the defensive players separating offensive players from the football was an objective," Parise said. "I think (Harrison) has the right to do that within the framework of the rules and reasonability. But if you want to legislate that, I would suggest we put flags on the players and play flag football. And I don't mean that as a frivolous statement."

Parise said he is all for protecting players for their own good as well as that of the NFL.

"I want the game to be as safe as can be," Parise said, "but on the other hand, it's still football."