NFL says Brady hit was legal
FOXBOROUGH -- Jacksonville Jaguars rookie linebacker Clint Ingram will not be fined by the NFL for his jarring hit on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's game.
"It was reviewed, and it was a legal hit," NFL vice president of public relations Greg Aiello said yesterday.
Although Ingram won't be fined, Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio might not be as fortunate.
Aiello said the NFL was aware of remarks by Del Rio on the Jaguars' website, in which he appeared to advocate the illegal tactic of spearing against Brady.
"We're always concerned about comments of that nature, and we're looking into it," Aiello said.
Del Rio defended Ingram's hit on Brady -- which came as Brady dived headfirst for a first down -- and also commented on a first-half running play in which Jaguars defenders held up when they thought Brady would slide.
"They should've speared him then," Del Rio said on Jaguars.com.
Spearing is illegal, and is covered under Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8(g) in the NFL's official rulebook. The rule prohibits the use of "any part of a player's helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/"hairline" parts) or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily . . ." The rule also states that "game officials will give special attention in administering this rule to protecting those players who are in virtually defenseless postures."
Aiello explained that because Brady was running on the play in question -- and was diving headfirst -- he wasn't in a defenseless position that a receiver catching a pass or a quarterback throwing a pass might find himself in. Had Brady been on the ground and then Ingram hit him, the result could have been different.
Brady declined to speak about Del Rio's comments yesterday. Meanwhile, Patriots coach Bill Belichick came to Brady's defense.
"Considering Tom's great games over the years against Jack Del Rio's defenses, you can understand the frustration," Belichick said. "I'm all for supporting your players, but it was a little surprising to hear he said that."
