NFL's Dirtiest Players

[WakeUnc2321]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...rty/index.html

Quote:

Hines Ward, The Steelers' wide receiver, long considered the league's best blocking wide receiver, received 11.6 percent of the vote. He was followed by Redskins defensive tackle Albert Hanesworth (6.0), Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter (6.0), Bengals safety Roy Williams (5.1) and Titans center Kevin Mawae (4.6). Titans cornerback Courtland Finnegan (4.2), Rams guard Richie Incognito (3.7), Falcons guard Harvey Dahl (3.7), Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (3.7) and Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (3.2) rounded out the top 10. The poll was conducted in September and included some well-known names in the top 20: Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (3.2 percent), Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman (2.3 percent) and Jets linebacker Bart Scott (2.3 percent). Former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, who retired last summer, received three votes. The Broncos' Brandon Marshall, the only other receiver listed in the poll, received one vote. No running backs were selected, but one quarterback did get a vote: the Titans' Vince Young.

[AnyGivenSunday]

Yeah I read that article earlier, It seems like most of the guys on that list are the ones who hit harder than most. How Troy P and Hines can be dirty player blows my mind.

[BlueNGold]

Vince Young WTF?

[SPTO]

Hines Ward may be one of the more physical WR in the game today in terms of blocking and all that jazz but that doesn't make him a dirty player IMO. The guy would be an asset to any team regardless of era. He might play right up to the line of acceptable boundaries but the best of the best will take as much as they can.

I wonder if players today would call Michael Irvin dirty? I was watching an NFL-N classic game of the Falcons/Cowboys and Irvin would beat up the guy covering him until he couldn't anymore which gave him leverage to make some of his catches. Hell, there was one route he ran where just before he went down his route he pushed the defender out of his way and ran his route for a big catch!

That's just something you don't see much of today.

[AnyGivenSunday]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlueNGold

Vince Young WTF?

Yeah thats what I'm saying, thats just idiotic to even have Vince's name in the conversation.

Edit: I'm still flippin out over Troy I mean the guy is a beast and just cause some players hit harder than most. If a guy starts little fight out on the field( just pushing and shoving), talks smack, and is rude or looks like a bad guy he is a dirty player. I know Finnegan has gotten into it wth a few guys and Hanyesworth kicked a guy in the face but, when the play is happening and you happen lay a highlight hit on a guy there always quick label it a dirty then making you look like a dirty player in the process.

[z Revis]

How the hell is Vince Young dirty?

[metallicatz]

I wouldn't trade Hines Ward for anything. And may he transition right to the Steelers coaching staff when his playing days are done.

[bgeno]

Quote: Originally Posted by metallicatz

I wouldn't trade Hines Ward for anything. And may he transition right to the Steelers coaching staff when his playing days are done.

I don't know if you've seen much of training camps or anything, but he appears to already be on his way. The dude spends more time working with the younger receivers than running routes himself.

[wwharton]

Quote: Originally Posted by AnyGivenSunday

Yeah I read that article earlier, It seems like most of the guys on that list are the ones who hit harder than most. How Troy P and Hines can be dirty player blows my mind.

I'm not getting into the debate of whether or not he is dirty but players have called Hines Ward dirty for years. I doubt anyone (including Steelers fans) are surprised he's at the top of this list, whether they agree or not. The thing with Ward is he goes out of his way to lay guys out. If dirty doesn't necessarily mean going against the rules then I can see how he'd fit the description. But yes, he's a player that anyone would want on their team. Can't speak on Troy or some other guys but was the poll done with players (didn't read the article)? Things happen on the field that only they would know about. Guys like Haynesworth, Scott, Williams and Finneran are no brainers bc we've seen replays of things they've done.

[AnyGivenSunday]

Quote: Originally Posted by wwharton

I'm not getting into the debate of whether or not he is dirty but players have called Hines Ward dirty for years. I doubt anyone (including Steelers fans) are surprised he's at the top of this list, whether they agree or not. The thing with Ward is he goes out of his way to lay guys out. If dirty doesn't necessarily mean going against the rules then I can see how he'd fit the description. But yes, he's a player that anyone would want on their team. Can't speak on Troy or some other guys but was the poll done with players (didn't read the article)? Things happen on the field that only they would know about. Guys like Haynesworth, Scott, Williams and Finneran are no brainers bc we've seen replays of things they've done.

Yeah I can see how he would fit that description because he does try to lay out players quite often but, Its a just good blocking IMO. I haven't seen or heard of Hines laying out guys who are out of the play just to get a highlight hit in on a guy or a guy who's talking smack. If Hines lays out a guy who is in the play trying to make a play then I don't how players could say thats a dirty hit, thats just a good block IMO. Now I read that he broke a rookies jaw once on one of them hits and took him out for the season but I haven't seen the hit so I can't comment on it.

I'm not a fan of the helmet to helmet or shoulder to helmet so I'm taking a guess and guessing thats what happened. Most of the hits I've seen from Ward has been in the chest area and yes he launches himself but, I don't see that as dirty. I guessing It looks worse when the guy isn't looking and thats what most people complain about, but If he's in the play I say take him out the play If you can but, do it cleanly no matter how hard you hit them.