Like I said, Harrison felt he left the pocket, McCoy was running, and is an open man for a tackle... I feel the penalty should've been a fine and NOT a suspension because I feel McCoy A) put himself into a bad position as a QB, B) was lowering his head when he clearly was watching the hit coming at him, C) threw the ball after he'd tucked it and ran, forcing Harrison to make that split-second decision on the field... If anything I think Harrison actually was rethinking making the hit because of McCoy (at the last second) going to throw the ball and THAT was the result of the helmet-to-helmet... That's my take. Then again I've been reading so much about this that is making both arguments that I see the other side of it too, and Harrison led with his head, which is where I think the fine's justifiable. He did, but I just wonder if McCoy's decisions didn't contribute to the end result of helmet-to-helmet, and that's my argument that these things aren't even remotely looked into, they're just decided without any explanation.
Now, if complete onus of the situation rests on the shoulders of the hitter and not the ball carrier, then so be it. But I think you need to then make that more clear and deal with the repurcussions from the defensive players who aren't going to like it that you're further giving room to QB's and Receivers and making those incredibly fast decisions in a game rest solely on the shoulders of the tackler...
Don't get me wrong though, I completely do not feel Harrison is a victim here... He's not hurting really, and it's a privilege to play at that level so I feel it's his job to adjust his game with the rules, but this year he largely has too. It's disappointing to see any progress wiped away now for him in that regard.
As far as the "employee/employer" analogy, I think that's about as similar as your "Harrison is as dirty as a guy that stomped on another guy's arm after a play is whistled dead" analogy Justin.
I just don't find it honest or accurate. I didn't think he had intent to harm McCoy, but that's my opinion on it.
The NHL's system is pretty simple really, and isn't really as much for the player (who knows what is said/shown to them in private to explain why they're being punished) as it is for the public/media.
A decision is formed on a questionable situation, and a ruling is handed down. The ruling has a video where Brendan Shanahan (who heads up, but does not solely control the process) explains to the players, fans, and media, how they came to their conclusion, including replay of the footage and all factors they brought into their decision (Intent, the way the rule's written, what the offending player did/didn't do, what the other player did/didn't do, etc., etc.). It's come about because of criticism of the way punishments were handed down, and consistency with it league-wide. It's considered a pretty great improvement to that sport. I think it would be good with football. It may even help other players too, or guys like Harrison, who either don't get it, or don't care, or whatever.