Another NFC North Rival Gave the Vikings a Cheap Shot
At some point, the NFL has to do something about protecting players while blocking. The chop block isn’t allowed in the secondary, on a return, or virtually in any form throughout a game. That doesn’t matter when you’re close to the line of scrimmage, though.
Another NFC North Rival Gave the Vikings a Cheap Shot
On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings played a significant rivalry game. A win for Minnesota would set up a matchup in Detroit with everything on the line. The good guys emerged victorious, but it appears they will be without veteran pass rushers Patrick Jones II for some time.
Jones’ injury was completely avoidable. Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft motioned across the line only to go below the knees on the Vikings’ defensive end. He hit him in a spot that would have been flagged virtually anywhere else on the field. He hit him in a spot that he didn’t need to. The block could have been executed effectively by targeting his waist or upper body as well.
Teammate Jonathan Greenard was not having any of it. While he has played in more than 60 career games and knows the rules, this isn’t about the play being legal.
It’s about the reality that it shouldn’t be, and going after the opposition makes little sense.
This is the same sort of hit that Kerby Joseph took on T.J. Hockenson last year, blowing out his knee. The Detroit Lions’ defensive back is known for being a dirty player and has caused the same outcome multiple times. Kraft doesn’t have that designation, but his decision was equally unnecessary.
Certain NFL players are out solely for themselves. Whether winning or looking to secure their next paycheck, they are fine with taking out those in the same brotherhood to get there. The goal should always be winning, and maybe at almost all costs, but avoiding a likely intent to injure seems like common sense.
The NFL continually moves the goalposts on rules and how the game should be interpreted. It’s not hard to suggest that allowing a chop block from anyone, anywhere on the field, is not a necessary part of the game.
Change it.
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Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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