The thing about business decisions is that they aren't all equal and I'm not talking about the stakes. We've seen Pro Bowl QBs lower their shoulder in a pre-season game and we've seen Cam Newton shy away from a loose ball in the Super Bowl, so it's easy to call one overly heroic/competitive and the other a coward, but I think it's not just about the stakes when it comes to judging these business decisions, it's also about that instantaneous calculation that an athlete makes when it comes to projecting the position of his body at the point of impact.
I think there are times--whether it was OBJ last week or Cam Newton (and I'm not a fan of his) in the Super Bowl--when the athlete just knows his body will be in an awkward position for the impending collision. And the body just reacts instinctively to protect itself. So I think these business decisions need to be judged based not just on the stakes of the game, but the body's ability to protect itself at point of impact.
not your QB example, but if Beckham wasn't going to be able to fight for the ball like sometimes happens on onsides kick attempts why go out there?
not your QB example, but if Beckham wasn't going to be able to fight for the ball like sometimes happens on onsides kick attempts why go out there?
I watched the play a few times. Beckham was not getting that ball.
You are right, he should not have been on the field.
That's not even a little bit relevant.
And plays like Newton or Deion Sanders making the Al Michaels "business decision" are very different than Beckham on Sunday.
My point was onsides kicks often result in violent collisions, it's sort of predictable, especially if you're on the hands team. You knew this situation had a decent chance of playing out that way before the play even happened, unlike the Newton fumble or a CB facing a RB full speed in the open field.
but if for whatever reason you are not prepared, capable, or willing to handle that violent collision you are doing your team a disservice from staying on the field.
Beckham returns punts, so you know he's not normally averse to being hit, I'm not questioning him or his toughness in general, but he obviously didn't seem willing on that play.