Daily Madden: The Missing Penalty Flag
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Bengals punter Kevin Huber will have surgery for a broken jaw after Terence Garvin of the Steelers hit Huber's chin with the top of his helmet in Sunday's game.
"A punter is always a defenseless player, a kicker is always a defenseless player, a snapper on extra point and field goal is a defenseless player, and a quarterback is a defenseless player," John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew. "What that means is that they can't be hit helmet to helmet."
The hit was clearly illegal, but no flag was thrown.
"In the punt coverage, I'm not sure how the officials cover it and where they are and who they are," John said. "But knowing that that's a defenseless player, there ought to be some eyeballs on it."
Huber also suffered a crack in a neck vertebra, which is expected to heal. Madden is critical of players and former players who are outspoken in their dislike of new NFL safety rules.
"If you hate things that are trying to help people be safe and prevent some injuries, you have to go in a different direction," Madden said. "What (do they) want, to break the punter's jaw and vertebra?... A guy's walking around with gauze in his mouth. That's football?" (7:05)
Daily Madden
Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM. And catch John's extra report at 9:15 am Mondays and Fridays on KCBS during the NFL season.
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