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**Tribal Warfare** · 10-05-2009, 01:03 AM

Page shaking his head after being penalized for hit
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

For Jarrad Page, the play was a safety’s dream. New York wide receiver Steve Smith and the ball were coming simultaneously into Page’s territory in the middle of the field on a second-quarter play Sunday.

Page broke up the pass with what appeared to be a clean hit on Smith, only to be dismayed when he saw the penalty flag come out.

Page was penalized 15 yards for a helmet-to-helmet hit. The Chiefs, reeling from the loss of momentum, were burned on a 25-yard Eli Manning-to-Smith touchdown pass on the next play.

That put the Giants ahead 14-3, and their lead was never again less than double digits in a 27-16 win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

Page was emphatic afterward that he used his shoulder to hit Smith in the chest. Chiefs coach Todd Haley and linebacker Mike Vrabel as well as Page pleaded the case to the referees without success.

“He said when he saw his head go back, he thought I hit him with my helmet,” Page said. “I got him with my shoulder. You could see that on the replay. I hit him right in his chest. His head snapped, but that wasn’t because I hit him with my helmet. But that’s what he saw, so that’s what he saw.

“I thought it was clean. Obviously, he didn’t think it was.”

Vrabel said: “Clearly, (with) one look at the replay you could see he hit him in the shoulder. The way his head snapped, he just assumed that he hit him in the head. He didn’t see it correctly, obviously.”

The Giants would have had a third and 5 at the Kansas City 40, but with the penalty had a first down at the 25.

“That was the frustrating part,” Page said. “They got 15 yards and another first down. I can’t say any more than that.”

New York attacked on the first play after the penalty and was rewarded with the touchdown. Neither Page nor Vrabel said that any possible letdown from the penalty affected the Chiefs on the next play.

“I don’t think so,” Page said. “They just ran a good play.”

Vrabel said: “You’ve got to overcome a lot of different things to win football games — whether it’s that, a fumble, a sudden change. That’s no different.”

Valid call or not, the Chiefs fell behind by double digits in the first half for the second straight week. They trailed 17-3 at halftime a week after trailing Philadelphia 24-7 at the break.

“To spot teams two touchdowns in the first (half) the last two weeks, you’re going to win less than 5 percent of those football games,” Vrabel said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to make these games competitive in the second half.”

10-05-2009, 01:03 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3007187	Teicher: Page shaking his head after being penalized for hit By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star For Jarrad Page, the play was a safety’s dream. New York wide receiver Steve Smith and the ball were coming simultaneously into Page’s territory in the middle of the field on a second-quarter play Sunday. Page broke up the pass with what appeared to be a clean hit on Smith, only to be dismayed when he saw the penalty flag come out. Page was penalized 15 yards for a helmet-to-helmet hit. The Chiefs, reeling from the loss of momentum, were burned on a 25-yard Eli Manning-to-Smith touchdown pass on the next play. That put the Giants ahead 14-3, and their lead was never again less than double digits in a 27-16 win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Page was emphatic afterward that he used his shoulder to hit Smith in the chest. Chiefs coach Todd Haley and linebacker Mike Vrabel as well as Page pleaded the case to the referees without success. “He said when he saw his head go back, he thought I hit him with my helmet,” Page said. “I got him with my shoulder. You could see that on the replay. I hit him right in his chest. His head snapped, but that wasn’t because I hit him with my helmet. But that’s what he saw, so that’s what he saw. “I thought it was clean. Obviously, he didn’t think it was.” Vrabel said: “Clearly, (with) one look at the replay you could see he hit him in the shoulder. The way his head snapped, he just assumed that he hit him in the head. He didn’t see it correctly, obviously.” The Giants would have had a third and 5 at the Kansas City 40, but with the penalty had a first down at the 25. “That was the frustrating part,” Page said. “They got 15 yards and another first down. I can’t say any more than that.” New York attacked on the first play after the penalty and was rewarded with the touchdown. Neither Page nor Vrabel said that any possible letdown from the penalty affected the Chiefs on the next play. “I don’t think so,” Page said. “They just ran a good play.” Vrabel said: “You’ve got to overcome a lot of different things to win football games — whether it’s that, a fumble, a sudden change. That’s no different.” Valid call or not, the Chiefs fell behind by double digits in the first half for the second straight week. They trailed 17-3 at halftime a week after trailing Philadelphia 24-7 at the break. “To spot teams two touchdowns in the first (half) the last two weeks, you’re going to win less than 5 percent of those football games,” Vrabel said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to make these games competitive in the second half.”
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