Safety Ed Reed’s one-game ban surprises coach John Harbaugh – NFL News
The suspension of Baltimore Ravens’ safety Ed Reed has baffled coach John Harbaugh who believes he did not expect it coming.
Reed is suspended for a game over hitting Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders in their game on past Sunday, as according to the National Football League (NFL) office the video evidence showed the player was hit in the neck and shoulder while
he was defenceless.
Harbaugh said:
"I didn't see that one coming, so it was surprising. My understanding was (an appeal is) going to be heard very quickly for that reason, so we should have a decision by Wednesday."
Earlier, Reed confirmed he will file a plea to seek overturn of the league’s ruling, which is rather costly given it will also make the player to surrender pay of just below half a million dollars.
It is only second suspension since the league introduced its enhanced measure for players’ safety and protection; the first player who was suspended last year was Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker James Harrison.
The LB had knocked down Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Colt McCoy, who suffered concussion and mishandling of his injury by the team led to more calls of appointment of independent experts on the sidelines to inspect head injuries.
NFL Players Association (NFLPA) had recently reiterated their call to position independent neurologists on the sidelines during each game to monitor and treat players for head injuries.
Reed’s suspension has highlighted the importance of the issue's handling more thoroughly.
The Ravens’ coach is optimistic about the success of the appeal, although independent view is quite different. Most importantly, the league while announcing the penalty has observed that the player had been sternly warned against violation of the safety
rules earlier as well, but he has committed the same offence third time and therefore has been slapped with a the ban.
In view of the league office’s warning, the analysts are not that optimistic about the appeal being accepted. The stance is well within intentions of the league office that they do not compromise on the players’ safety.
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