DeAngelo Hall defends Brandon Meriweather suspension on Twitter
While no one else in the world was surprised at Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather being suspended–again–for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Baltimore Ravens receiver Torrey Smith during their preseason matchup, DeAngelo Hall had a lot to say in regards to his teammates two-game suspension on Twitter:
Fair is Fair. I can't speak on @BMeriweather31 past hits but from what I saw that hit was not malicious. @nfl please review your decision
— OG aka CAPTAIN 23 (@DeAngeloHall23) August 25, 2014
@nfl SMH Most of the guys making the rules never played the game before but they want to tell us what's best for the game.... Yeah right
— OG aka CAPTAIN 23 (@DeAngeloHall23) August 25, 2014
@nfl how do you adjust your target on a person who keeps changing there strike zone. My guy aim low and the WR lowered his head
— OG aka CAPTAIN 23 (@DeAngeloHall23) August 25, 2014
Hall also retweeted this tweet from a Redskins fan in response to the suspension, comparing Meriweather’s suspension to the infamous two-game Ray Rice suspension received for domestic violence caught on camera.
please explain to me how Merriweather and Ray Rice have the same suspension....
— CB (@its_carol31) August 25, 2014
Hall made a few salient points (Ray Rice comparison and the NFL often adjusting the target), but the NFL has made it clear that helmet-to-helmet hits are automatic fines. Once you incorporate Meriweather’s dirty past–this is his sixth safety violation of his career and Meriweather was suspended one game last season for a similar violation–this was an easy decision for the NFL.
Meriweather is likely to appeal the suspension, but it’s difficult seeing the NFL go back on their words as they’ve likely viewed the tape many times before making this decision. Meriweather will miss the first two games of the season (at Houston, vs. Jacksonville).