The Big Hit

**Zeus** · 07-26-2007, 05:09 PM

I just got my SI for this week, and the cover story is about Big Hits in the NFL.  The cover picture is a shot of the Eagles Sheldon Brown drilling Reggie Bush in the playoffs last year.  I'm about 1/2-way through the story, but there was a bit I needed to share here ASAP.  Found the link on SI.com.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tim_layden/07/24/big.hits0730/index.html

"We had been working on that play all week," says Brown. "We even watched film the morning of the game. The first time we played them, they killed us with the flare route. They want to run me off and get Reggie matched up one-on-one with a linebacker. So we put in a play where, if the receiver releases, I just sit and then fly up and hit Reggie on the flare." (The Eagles' safety would pick up Copper.)

Jones blitzed, untouched. Brees lofted the ball over Jones's head toward Bush. But Brown didn't backpedal. He read the pass and drove toward Bush, running 11 yards at full speed. Bush reached for the ball and held it for .14 of a second -- a time gleaned from a frame-by-frame study at NFL Films -- before Brown launched himself into the air, driving his right shoulder into Bush's chest and stomach, arms extended. The impact lifted Bush into the air and carried him backward three yards, the two players' bodies floating together until Bush's back slammed into the artificial turf as the ball bounced away.

Bush rose quickly to his hands and knees, then to one knee and then to a standing position. And then back down to all fours, pawing at the ground. "I popped right up," says Bush, smiling at the memory. "Then I was like, Ooooo, I can't breathe, my wind is gone. I better get back down. I never felt anything like that before." Bush sat out one play before returning to the game.

"He was lucky," Brown says. "His elbow was pinned against his body, protecting his rib cage, or else I probably would have broken his rib. What did it feel like? That collision, I didn't feel nothing, because he was pretty much defenseless. It was like running through a cardboard box. Seriously. Cardboard box."

That is fucking awesome.

I'm SO READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!

=Z=

**Billy Boy** · 07-26-2007, 05:12 PM

Heres some sugar for that spice.

There is plenty on Youtube.

Youtube

**Zeus** · 07-26-2007, 05:16 PM

Take a close look at Reggie's eyes.

=Z=

**BadlandsVikings** · 07-26-2007, 05:17 PM

"Zeus" wrote:

Take a close look at Reggie's eyes.

=Z=

I think they're in his throat.

**Zeus** · 07-26-2007, 05:18 PM

"Billy" wrote:

There is plenty on Youtube.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QitYjvJXfy8[/youtube]

While watching this, only one word was going through my head - "Cardboard."

=Z=

**BritishVike** · 07-26-2007, 05:23 PM

GOD I LOVE THIS GAME!!!Cardboard indeed!

**vikingivan** · 07-26-2007, 05:25 PM

He got jacked up.
That was a good hit.

**Billy Boy** · 07-26-2007, 05:27 PM

"Zeus" wrote:

Take a close look at Reggie's eyes.

LOL I think I see Xs over them.

I think its about time for football.
I feel like burning leaves and watching video of this hit after work.

Then pack up and hit the road to get closer to Mankato tonight!

**Mr Anderson** · 07-26-2007, 05:34 PM

Biggest hit of the season in slowmo you see Bush actually kind of wraps around Brown's body then flies back the other way, the article in SI was great too.

They also had this one in the article.

http://www.collegeslackers.com/video/743

Biggest hitter in the league, on a punter, in the pro bowl
ROFL ;D

**farvathevikinglover** · 07-26-2007, 05:58 PM

"Mr" wrote:

Biggest hit of the season in slowmo you see Bush actually kind of wraps around Brown's body then flies back the other way, the article in SI was great too.

They also had this one in the article.

http://www.collegeslackers.com/video/743

Biggest hitter in the league, on a punter, in the pro bowl
ROFL ;D

That was the most memorable play from the pro bowl for me, frickin awesome, and they showed replay after replay after replay... and it never got old!