When Clifton Smith got knocked cold on a vicious, dirty play by headhunter Dante Wesley, it was all Sabby Piscitelli could do to not go after Wesley.

Fortunately Piscitelli kept his cool. In fact, Piscitelli likely kept Aqib Talib from getting thrown out of the game.

In the melee that ensued after the cheap shot, Talib was punched in the head by an unnamed Panthers player and Talib freaked. Piscitelli physically grabbed Talib and, thus, saved him from taking an early shower, reports Tom Balog of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Piscitelli did grab teammate Aqib Talib after a Carolina player punched him in the head in the ensuing skirmish. He saved Talib from a possible ejection and fine.

”I just saw him going crazy,” Piscitelli said. “At times like that you have to act professional. It’s hard when you see one of your soldiers, one of your players like that. You have to keep your composure.”

Joe couldn’t believe that a full-scale riot didn’t break out. If there was ever a time Joe could understand Talib wielding his helmet, that was the time.