Dashon Goldson Suspended For Hit On Saints Darren Sproles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safety Dashon Goldson has been suspended for one game by the NFL for his hit on Saints running back Darren Sproles.

The suspension comes after a string of unnecessary roughness penalties since 2011. While a fine is sure to follow, the NFL decided Goldson needed more than a slap on a wrist to get the message across.

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks sent Goldson explanation of the suspension:

“It is clear that you lowered your head and unnecessarily rammed the left side of your helmet into the left side of your opponent’s head. You delivered a forceful blow with your helmet and made no attempt whatsoever to wrap up your opponent or make a conventional tackle on the play. This illegal contact clearly could have been avoided.”

Dashon Goldson’s suspension will keep him out of practice this week and out of Sunday’s game against New England. He plans to appeal the suspension.

The Buccaneers signed Dashon Goldson in free agency to lock down their secondary. They also traded for Darrelle Revis. The defense has played mostly well and kept the Bucs in games with chances to win.

The loss of Goldson should make Patriots quarterback Tom Brady very happy. New England is playing with a heavily depleted receiving corps and will need all the help they get to win.

Dashon Goldson was also fined week one by the NFL for a monster hit on Jets tight end Jeff Cumberland.

As exciting as big hits are to watch, maybe it’s time Goldson re-evaluated his technique. He has always been one of the NFL’s hardest hitters, and prides himself on clean tackling technique. His technique clearly hasn’t caught up with the NFL’s number of new player safety rules.

Did Dashon Goldson deserve his suspension? Is he a dirty player?