Waddle condemns Meriweather’s “vicious” play

Ex-Bear Tom Waddle condemns Meriweather’s “vicious” play

Posted by Michael David Smith on October 11, 2011, 8:16 PM EDT
http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.word...ther.jpg?w=141 Getty ImagesFormer Bears receiver Tom Waddle is lashing out at Bears safety Brandon Meriweather for a style of play that Waddle believes is dirty and designed to knock opposing receivers out.
“I don’t approve of the way he plays the game,” Waddle said on ESPN 1000. “And you can call me a sissy all you want. OK? I was on the receiving end of a lot of head-to-head hits. And maybe it’s the reason I act the way I do. But in football there are going to be moments when a guy is trying to make a tackle and his helmet hits yours. It’s going to happen, and in today’s game you’re going to get flagged for it. And that’s the way it is.”
Meriweather has been fined twice for helmet-to-helmet hits, and he might pick up another fine for a hit against the Lions on Monday night. Waddle says Meriweather deserves the fines because he plays with an intent to hurt.
“When I interpret the way you go about your job that you have the intent to hurt somebody, I’ve got no time for you. I’ve got no place for you. The game’s got no place for you,” Waddle said. “He’s going to hurt himself, and he’s going to hurt someone else because of the intent.”
In Waddle’s view, Meriweather’s style of play doesn’t belong in the NFL.
“I don’t know Brandon. I haven’t had a discussion with him. But it sure looks by the way he plays the game that the intent isn’t to put a big hit on someone and legally knock them out, it’s to hurt someone,” Waddle said. “What Brandon does is he leads with his helmet all the time. There’s no place in the game, brother, at this particular time for that. It’s vicious enough. And when your intent, in my humble opinion, is to hurt or maim, I’ve got no time for you, and I don’t think the game’s got any place for you.”

I don't like the helmet to helmet shots. And the one on the Interception was pretty stupid. But I love the intensity, and I love the fact we have a big hitter back there.

It's EFF'ed up that the thing he's best at is hitting and he's even doing that wrong:alright:

I'm of the mind Chris Harris moves back to FS. Less mental mistakes, Wright and Merriweather can play SS.

Guess he needs to learn how to use his shoulder's better . I agree nothing is worth turning yourself or someone else into a quad and guys are bigger faster and stronger now. Still think the guy can be effective though once he's had more time to learn the system and isn't thinking so much.

kamikaze style

i was happy when we got him but he stinks no skill just looks for dirty hits

I guess it's no big surprise why Bilechik dumped this moron.

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Originally Posted by motownbear

i was happy when we got him but he stinks no skill just looks for dirty hits

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Originally Posted by vmx12

I guess it's no big surprise why Bilechik dumped this moron.

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Exactly! This shouldn't come as any surprise. When we researched the comments about him from Pats fans this is what they had a problem with as well. "No discipline". "He freelances instead of playing his asignment" (exactly what happened on that 1st long pass to Steve Smith) and "often ends up out of position". (don't know what his assignment was on Johnson's TD but was late getting over). "He goes for the big hit instead of a wrap up tackle". (3 penalties and/or fines for helmet to helmet hits in 5 games.

Playing Safety Doug Plank style ins't permitted anymore but this guy seems to want to be a throwback to that era. We were cautioned about him when he was signed and so far everything that was said about him has come true. Belicheck doesn't get rid of pro-bowl level players unless there's a big problem and in this case I think there is. Meriweather is uncoachable and isn't gonna change his style of play.

It's high time we stopped being the NFL home for wayward boys, pass rush specialists who've never recorded a sack, and WRs with an attitude who can't get open and don't catch passes. These are all signs of a struggling front office and coaching staff trying to stay competitive the wrong way. We can pay Meriweather $3.25 mil for a year but we can't get an extension done for Harris or Forte.

Just like the signing of Taylor caused issues with Forte this will haunt them again with Chris Harris. This is screwy.

Soul i guess I'm just usually hesitant with other team fans comments. Always sour grapes involved. Look at When we got peppers and cutler as good examples. I guess I saw pro bowler and got a hard on in an offseason that we added a bunch of bum cast off busts.....and failed to realize he is of the same ilk