Ward Fined $15,000 for Hit on Shipley

October 7, 2010 by Scott 35 Comments

The Carson Palmer-led Cincinnati Benglas deemed it a “cheap shot,” but after receiving a call from the league office this week, Browns rookie safety TJ Ward will consider it anything but that.

Though the league will not officially announce their discipline on Ward – who delivered a penalty-inducing hit on rookie wide receiver Jordan Shipley this past Sunday - until Friday, it has been reported that the hard-hitting rookie was docked $15,000 for the play in question. Ward, who currently is among the top 10 in the NFL in solo tackles and has already earned a reputation as a fierce defender, but he stands firmly by his initial word that the hit was not intended with malice.

“I just tried to make a play and unfortunately he got hurt,” Ward said. “It’s part of the violent game we play. If you play that position, it kind of comes with the territory.”

A fellow rookie and former teammate of Shipley, quarterback Colt McCoy seemed to side with his new teammate and the game of football stating that any time a wide receiver goes across the middle of the field, hits like the one Ward delivered is a possibility.

Thankfully, for the rookie Ward, his head coach Eric Mangini came to his defense after the game was complete. While Mangini hopes that Ward is congnizant of the rules that forbid helmet-to-helmet hits, he does not want the second-rounder to pull up at all when it comes to his aggressive nature. Mangini also stuck up for Ward when it came to the Bengal name-calling mentioned above.

“T.J. isn’t a dirty guy,” said Mangini on Monday. “He’s not a dirty guy. He’s a young guy. He’s an aggressive guy and he’s an inexperienced guy, but he’s not a dirty guy.”

Unfortuntely, for Ward, he’s also a guy that’s now out $15,000.

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(AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

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Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: Colt McCoy, Eric Mangini, Fines, Jordan Shipley, KTFO, nfl, TJ Ward

humboldt

Completely the right decision by the NFL to make an example out of Ward’s hit. Elements of the game have to change, and hits like that have to be demarcated as illegal. The downstream neurological consequences are too profound
sleepless in cincinnati

Terrific hit and in the long run, well worth the $15K (as long as I am not the one paying it). Receivers around the league will be thinking about how hard they are gunna get cracked when crossing the middle against the Browns. I love it!
Nullster

Having your Safety being a league leader in solo tackles is a double edged sword. At least he’s making tackles … but shouldn’t that be an LB for your team?
http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Scott

He’s almost a psuedo LB given where he sets up in non-DB blitz scenarios, but I know what you mean.
stin4u

That 15k will go a long way in the minds of guys like Roddy White on Sundays. I think the team should shoulder the bill for this, because that was awesome and they know it. Bravo Walrus.
Nicko

I am still not sure what he was supposed to do there but oh well. Love how it seems like the Browns are finally delivering the hits this year. Seem a lot tougher. Just need some more talent.
Chris

“While Mangini hopes that Ward is cognizant of the rules that forbid helmet-to-helmet hits…”

It wasn’t a helmet-to-helmet, he got him with a shoulder. He was flagged for the new rule about hitting defenseless receivers in the head.

Don’t get me wrong, the fine was certainly warranted and the rule was enforced correctly, but I also have no problem with the hit.
JK

The fine and penalty are bs. I would say that if it was the other way around too (Bengal hitting a Brown). It’s football for Christ sakes, its a violent game. If you don’t like it, don’t play it. The WRs know the risks, and they also know the rewards ($$$). The hit was with TJs shoulder. It boggles my mind to think how it would be to be an NFL S or LB, there is about a 3 ft by 3 ft area (depending on the size of the ball carrier) where you can hit them without risking a flag. And God forbid it be a split second late cuz you’re getting flagged for that too.
C-Bus Kevin

TJ Ward has been one of the best draft picks by the browns since they came back, and we’re not even half-way through his rookie season. I love the fact that we have a strong safety who’s not afraid to stick his nose in for a big hit or a much needed linebacker-helping tackle. He’s kind of like John Lynch in that way.

As for humboldt’s comment…We all get it. Guys that play in the NFL end up with brain damage. If you really felt bad about this, you wouldn’t watch the games, because the truth of the matter is that the offensive and defensive linemen face the greatest threat of brain damage because they collide, head to head, with the force of a car crash every play. While hit’s like Ward’s on Shipley are more visible, brain traumatizing hits happen on every single play. If you can’t stomach it, don’t watch the games.

Now, that’s not to say we should just say, “they know the risks. After all, they are paid millions to endure the punishment.” In reality, I believe one of the most effective ways that they could reduce the likelihood of brain injury would be to put LESS padding on the players. Specifically, the helmet is meant to protect the player, but in reality, it’s a very effective weapon.

Really, the fine system setup by the league is there way of saying, “The player has been fined…problem solved.” And then they wash their hands clean of the issue.
thebigmack67

Here is how TO and Ochocinco are responding…god, I hate them so much…can T.J. Ward please give them both a concussion when we play again, please, at least TO. If TO were to drop dead, would anyone even care? I wouldn’t.

Bengals teammates Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens appeared on Versus’ The Daily Line to discuss hot topics, including the big hit on their teammate.

Ochocinco: “Ya know the Browns head coach came out and defended his safety, saying that the hit wasn’t illegal, it wasn’t cheap either.”

Owens: “Look who it’s coming from. Half, probably 90 percent of his players don’t even like him anyway, speaking of Eric Mangini. … I’m telling you, I’m telling you I don’t like him. I don’t like him. We gotta see him again anyway so we’ll see if we’re gonna do some cheap shots. Next game. Hit me like that.”
C-Bus Kevin

@thebigmack67

TO: “Hit me like that.”

TJ Ward: “Nooooo problem.”
stin4u

@10 – I would literally kill to see Ward layout either of those guys in the same fashion. Then again forget the fine, he might get sued by VH1 for damaging their investments…..sissys.
humboldt

@C-bus Kevin – what a fatuous argument dude. You’re basically saying: if something bothers you, don’t look at it. Disagree with the war in Iraq, just don’t pay attention; think the Cleveland schools should be better, just tune it out. Dumb. I care about this issue because I love football, played football, and now study the neurobiology of early life trauma as it manifests in aging brains.

You do present some good ideas though. I think the notion of removing padding (and perhaps the helmet) is something that should be taken seriously. People often talk about how the absence of a shell around the head changes the way an equally brutal game like Rugby is played. This should at least be up for disucssion.

As for the collisions that lineman are inflicted with on each play, you are right on. Look at someone like Mike Webster, who played for 16 years with lousy headgear and suffered profound dementia and massive brain damage (CTE). The recent U Penn lineman Owen Thomas, who committed suicide this fall, was also found to have evidence of CTE. Some propositions for how to protect lineman seem at first ludicrous, but make sense. For instance, it’s been suggested that lineman not start in 3-point stances so that the majority of contact is absorbed by the body. Also, some have suggested that players be made to line up closer to the line of scrimmage to reduce the force of impact.

I am genuinely curious as to what WFNY thinks about this, and, as I’ve posted before, would love a whole thread devoted to this topic.
David

I would like to ask the NFL this: If Calvin Johnson’s touchdown catch against the Bears didn’t count, then how can Ward’s hit be considered late? Johnson took two steps and a knee and then the “catch” was ruled incomplete. If Shipley makes the grab, and then Ward dislodges it, didn’t the league already set the precedent for the hit?

Also, I can’t wait for Ward to lay out TO.
Chuck

Why aren’t people here up in arms about the fact that $15,000 for an honestly borderline hit (that I feel was totally legitimate – as did Deion Sanders), when Suh only got fined HALF of that for a BLATANTLY violent play against Delhomme! Where is the justice???
Tron

@humbooldt I agree with you the brain damage some of these NFL players are forced to endure is unfortunate, however I feel like its part of the job risk and they know it going in. If you don’t want to get shot, don’t be a police officer or a soldier, if you don’t potentially want to die in a fire, don’t be a fireman. It sucks but every job has risks associated with it, some are larger than others. If I had the physical talents to play professional football, I would gladly take the health risks to pull in 5-10 million a year for X amount of years.
BuckeyeDawg

If I’m Randy Lerner, I just placed an envelope in TJ Ward’s locker with $15,000 in it…along with a note that says “Keep playing hard, kid…I’ve got this one.”
http://mrrklaw.com tsm

@c-bus kevin & Humboldt – interesting discussion. I have long wondered why they can’t change the helmet from the hard shell to something similar to the old fashioned leather ones – with more protection of course. If it had a soft cover, then the chances of it becomng a weapon go way down. Also, I think that the defensive players should be hitting below the head level at all times. Of course, there are situations that occur such as when the the receiver ducks down and a chest shot turns into a head shot. Hard hits are part of the game, but delivering a blow to the head has is not – at least in my opinion
C-Bus Kevin

@ humboldt

I think you misunderstood me. By saying don’t watch the games, I meant don’t SUPPORT the institution that doesn’t protect its employees. As I stated later in the comment, I don’t believe the NFL is interested in really protecting the players’ well-being. What’s the best way to protest? With your wallet.

I also would like to see the game change in ways that would increase safety while not asking the players to make split-second decisions that are, frankly, impossible. I too have heard the suggestion that linemen line up in a two-point stance to avoid energy absorption by the head, and I think the idea has merit.

I guess what I’m saying is, if the league wants to reduce head trauma, they should focus on the causes (including too much padding) and less on the resulting hits.
Anthony

Not sure what to think about the hit. It seemed a bit late, but at the speed the game moves it’s hard to expect Ward to be able to pull up and realize Shipley wasn’t gonna come down with the ball in about 1 second when he is already on a dead run.

Great hit though. Maybe Hines Ward, Anquan Boldin, and Ocho/T.O start to think twice before they go across the middle?
Brad in ATL

The wife(die hard Falcons season ticket holder) and I will be flying up Friday afternoon to see the Browns. My first trip to the new stadium and am pretty excited. Of course I warned her that coming clad in Falcons gear she will not be received as warmly as people in Atlanta do to opposing teams fans. She doesn’t care so we’ll see how it goes. I just hope the Browns pull one out so I don’t have to listen to her rag me the entire flight home Sunday night. If anyone could drop some tailgating tips it would be much appreciated. Go Browns!!
humboldt

@Chuck – agreed, that play by Suh was despicable.

@Tron – I agree that you accept some level of risk in every profession, including the ones you mentioned. However, we still develop wise policies to protect police officers (no concealed carry, steep penalties for assaulting or killing cops, etc) and soldiers (improved body armor, better medical care in the field and through the VA, etc) to reduce risk as much as possible.

With football players, the problem has been a failure (a lot of it falls on Gene Upshaw) to acknowledge that there was a link b/t head injuries and late-life consequences. If you don’t even admit the problem or its scope there’s nothing that can be done about it. Now, it’s a matter of negotiating w/ players, fans, owners, etc which changes to the game are acceptable, and how much risk needs to be bourne by the players.

@ tsm – I think you’re right about helmets being problematic. Hard to envision taking them out of football, but not impossible (after all, that’s how the game evolved through most of the 20th century).

@Cbus – I understand your point, but I also don’t think protesting w/ my wallet will do much. Confessing that I love the game while also being passionate about protecting the players and their long-term interest is a more realistic strategy for me. The league is attentive to this problem (they now hang posters in every lockerroom explaining the link b/t TBI and dementia), so I am happy w/ the way things are moving.

The biggest issue remains how far fans are willing to go in allowing fundamental aspects of the game to change. To me, that’s the compelling issue, and why I’m so interested in the perspectives of WFNY readers. There are no bigger football fans than the people who read and comment here every day
deebo

“Hugh!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgNREzBAnY4
Bobby

Brad in ATL

If you are going fly the Black Falcon Flag, Stay out of Muni lot….The “Pit” is slightly friendlier but not by much and they charge $5 to get in as a pedestrian.

Where are you staying in town?

You might be better off hanging at the bars on W. 6th st before/after the game.

Blind Pig Panini’s, and or Golic’s will have plenty of people heading to the game, they are close, and they will have a less rowdy crowd and better security.
Oregon Duck fan

How much of that fine will be picked up by the jack@$$ Bengals announcer who fanned the flames? Zero. Oh, OK, that makes sense.
Bobby

humboldt

and anyone else…

Have you watched high level Rugby? Super 14 league, or international play?

No (or very little) padding, tackling, No timeouts.

The world cup is next year in New Zealand.

I find it better than Professional Football. I like it as much as college football.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WciQVqEc8r0&feature=related
V

@26

I played 3 years High School Rugby, 4 years College Rugby at Kent State, and joined mens teams on the Eastern Suburbs and Akron before leaving OH to work in SC where I play here.

Rubgy is a great game and really taking hold in NE Ohio. There is a high school league for boys and girls, most every college has a club (boys and girls), and Cleveland alone bosts two Mens teams.

Bowling Green is tradionally a power-house, Lakewood U-19 girls is a national champ, OSU is strong always, St. Eds, Westerville U-19 in C-bus to name a few. There are great programs all over the state that no one knows about because their dads didn’t grow up playing the game.

Might be a strong future article on a slow news day…
Bobby

Didn’t have it at the high school level when I was a kid.

Did find it as a club sport at a semi-local Div 3 college though.

Went down and saw the college 7′s Invitational tourney they did at Crew Stadium in C-bus over the summer.

Went to the World cup in France in 2007. Going to New Zealand next year.

Have a buddy who coaches the kinda St. Ignatius team… kinda because it is a club and not school sanctioned.

A bit old to still be playing these days, touch football is enough running and hitting for me now….plus the wife would divorce me
humboldt

@Bobby, thanks for the video. What’s notable to me is that while these hits are bone-rattling, they are all perfect form tackles: lead with shoulder, head to side, wrap up, drive through the hit.

I lived in the UK for 2 years, and Rugby is obviously huge over there. It’s a great game, although I’m not a huge fan of no forward passing!
crobarred

The way the NFL fines players and coaches is laughable.

Suh was fined $7500 for his late hit on Delhomme in the preseason.

Ward was fined $15000 for his “helmet to helmet” hit on Shipley.

Chuck Cecil who is a coach on the Titans was fined $40000 for flipping the bird to an official.

So what we learned here is that if a coach is upset with an official just put on a helmet and launch head-first into him. It’ll cost you less.
Bobby

@Humbolt

You can forward “pass”

You just need to use your foot to pass it…that is one of the most spectacular plays in the game.

The fly half pooching it over the defensive line and just far enough away from the fullback for the winger to run on to. Just trying it can keep the defenders from “cheating” too much.

Or squibing it past your defender and picking it up on the hop.

damn to be 20 again.
humboldt

@Bobby – watching the Browns in the 4th quarter is slowly making me appreciate the creative ways in which a team can advance the ball up the field without throwing it
http://www.60bpm.com/ Robbie

@Chuck — And most of what I saw along the lines of reactions from ESPN talking heads amounted to, “tsk tsk… but I LOVE IT!” I’m outta breath about the double-standards. They’re still mad about the team being a dud in 2008 after giving them so many nationally televised games.
stin4u

@33 – they’re going to hate San Fransisco just as bad after this year by that logic….yikes.
The Other Tim

Soften the helmet and shoulder pads will kill these men.
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Ward Fined $15,000 for Hit on Shipley

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