New NFL rule

[schmitty3]

What do you all think about the "no devastating hits" rule? This is ridiculous. They are gonna take away big hits from the NFL now. They should just be playing two hand touch if there gonna take away big hits. Another thing is what is going to be considered a "devastating hit."

[DTro]

More great news from the No Fun League

Might as well just put some flags on em and get it over with.

[Scott K]

So, who gets to make the judgement call for the devastating hits?

[SkunkedAgain]

I think that Steve Young made a great point before the MNF game last night. Back "in his day" they wouldn't lead a receiver over the middle reckless way that QBs do now. He further stated that only a handful of current QBs truly understand the zone defenses and therefore the others just throw it where they want without thought about the hits they are setting up their teammates to receive.

Now for a side point, I hope that all of you complaining that this new "flag football" rule won't also complain about 9-6 scores. I'm fine with a baseball score. I think that every game being a 34-31 shootout is ridiculous and nothing like the game that I grew up enjoying.

[Dylan33]

Now for a side point, I hope that all of you complaining that this new "flag football" rule won't also complain about 9-6 scores. I'm fine with a baseball score. I think that every game being a 34-31 shootout is ridiculous and nothing like the game that I grew up enjoying.

Won't the new rule hurt defenses? Won't that lead to higher scores?

[FISHINGURU]

I say grow a pair and play some football.

[lawdog]

Most of these hits are for highlight reals only. They are sloppy and dangerous tackles. This idea you make a big hit and don't bother to wrap up a guy causes more missed tackles than just about any other hairbrained thing that has come to football in years.

On the other hand, most of the hits are already penalties that just aren't being called. You lead with the head and launch your body and that's a textbook spearing and should get you 15 yards everytime. Why did they quit calling it in the NFL? Its a point of emphasis for us as high school officials this year and the NFL is just ignoring it?!?!?!?!? (by the way that's probably exactly why it needs to be a point of emphasis for us because kids see that junk on TV all the time...).

All of you who think these guys are wimps should run across the middle and let EJ Henderson take one of those shots at you. You'd be permanently paralyzed if not dead. What a bunch of keyboard toughguys! Good grief!!!

[flipper]

Most of these hits are for highlight reals only. They are sloppy and dangerous tackles. This idea you make a big hit and don't bother to wrap up a guy causes more missed tackles than just about any other hairbrained thing that has come to football in years.

On the other hand, most of the hits are already penalties that just aren't being called. You lead with the head and launch your body and that's a textbook spearing and should get you 15 yards everytime. Why did they quit calling it in the NFL? Its a point of emphasis for us as high school officials this year and the NFL is just ignoring it?!?!?!?!? (by the way that's probably exactly why it needs to be a point of emphasis for us because kids see that junk on TV all the time...).

All of you who think these guys are wimps should run across the middle and let EJ Henderson take one of those shots at you. You'd be permanently paralyzed if not dead. What a bunch of keyboard toughguys! Good grief!!!

+1

I do say they better have some very objective criteria for determining these illegal hits. It is a brutal sport and there will always be injuries even on legal hits.

[paceman]

I agree lawdog. Some of these hits are going to knock guys out of the game permanently. I'll bet Desean Jackson will miss some serious time after being hit sunday. He was clearly in a defenseless position. Painful to watch....

[SkitterPopper]

Quote:

Most of these hits are for highlight reals only. They are sloppy and dangerous tackles. This idea you make a big hit and don't bother to wrap up a guy causes more missed tackles than just about any other hairbrained thing that has come to football in years.

On the other hand, most of the hits are already penalties that just aren't being called. You lead with the head and launch your body and that's a textbook spearing and should get you 15 yards everytime. Why did they quit calling it in the NFL? Its a point of emphasis for us as high school officials this year and the NFL is just ignoring it?!?!?!?!? (by the way that's probably exactly why it needs to be a point of emphasis for us because kids see that junk on TV all the time...).

All of you who think these guys are wimps should run across the middle and let EJ Henderson take one of those shots at you. You'd be permanently paralyzed if not dead. What a bunch of keyboard toughguys! Good grief!!!

Very well said Lawdog!

I guess a few posters above think it's "fun" to see a guy wheeled off the field on a stretcher.

[DTro]

Actually I agree with you Lawdog. I would much rather see fundamental (read effective) tackles, than bodies flying everywhere.

The problem is that the NFL rule book is starting to resemble our tax code.

[lawdog]

NFL rule book always has been a mess...

Heck the 2010 national federation of state high school associations rule book (the one almost all states including MN use for high school ball) is 119 pages long and to understand and implement what's in that book you really have to look at the case book which is another 96 pages! It is no wonder we get one wrong once in a while!!!

[schmitty3]

I agree lawdog. Some of these hits are going to knock guys out of the game permanently. I'll bet Desean Jackson will miss some serious time after being hit sunday. He was clearly in a defenseless position. Painful to watch....

He was reaching for the football. What was the D back suppose to do? He hit him with his shoulder then his head followed which caught Jacksons helmet. Would you of rather seen him take out the knees? Those are the tackles that end the most careers.

[harvey lee]

I totally agree Dog. Some of the hits are not needed. Just like racing, there are hits and then there are those who are hacks. There is a difference.

No need to break a guys neck or bust his head to tackle him.

I agree the ones that believe they are whimpy should strap on a suit and go out and play and get whacked.

[schmitty3]

So you guys beleive that all these helmet to helmet hits or on purpose? There was one hit this weekend that should be looked at and suspended. That is the one that Merriweather put on Todd Heap. That one he lead with the helmet and lunged himself at Heap. The other ones were accidental and are part of the game. Look at all of the big hits in football. Almost all of them end with the two helmets hitting.

[lawdog]

Look at the still picture of Harrison's hit, head down leading the way, clearly intentional adn absolutely a penalty. The one that took Jackson out, I agree the defender didn't aim for the head, but he certainly lead with his own head and didn't make any attempt at a form tackle, textbook spearing. I didn't see the other one.

Here's what I want to see, good hard hitting clean football. That includes no pathetic missed tackles because these guys care more about being on "jacked up" highlights than they do about tackling the guy! That doesn't include guys launching themselves head first at other guys. I'd really rather not watch someone get paralyzed or killed because some thug is taught to head hunt rather than tackle.

[schmitty3]

Yes I agree that the deliberate Helmet to helmet lunges need to be suspended, but i have a fear that they will take it way to far. Look at what they have done for the quarterbacks. You can not touch a qb in the head with a finger without being called for 15 yrds. Its football there has always been big hitting, and that shouldnt be taken away.

[Dave S]

NFL rule book always has been a mess...

Heck the 2010 national federation of state high school associations rule book (the one almost all states including MN use for high school ball) is 119 pages long and to understand and implement what's in that book you really have to look at the case book which is another 96 pages! It is no wonder we get one wrong once in a while!!!

You're apparently not a hockey referee then. You'd have twice as much reading as you do for football.

[greebs]

whatever happened to good old fashioned tackling the ball carrier by wrapping him up and taking him down? like several have said, so many players come in with their arms and hands tucked into their body and use the battering ram effect on the ball carrier or receiver. all they need to do is require the defensive player to make contact with their arms extended out ready to tackle. the game is supposed to be about the defense trying to stop the offense from making that catch by defending him but it's getting to be where the defense doesn't care if he catches it and we'll just try to knock the ball loose by timing the hit when he's most vulnerable.

also you think about these players that are taking these hits are typically players that are stretched out or being taken down by another defender when the big hits comes from another player. these football players are obviously tough but when you think about it, what they are doing often is the equivalent of a sucker punch or attacking someone from behind. why is that considered cheap in a street or bar fight but on the football field it makes the highlights?

[mrklean]

im not totally against these new rules but here is one thing to look at. Yeah these guys should be wrapping up but with so much pressure on turnovers and getting the ball thats why guys like ray lewis are throwing there bodies around to knock the snot out of the guy so he fumbles. That hit he had on monday night football he lead with his shoulder and laid the dude out and the guy doesnt hold onto the ball. He goes for a wrap up and the guy keeps the ball. Should these guys be leading with there head no way its a way to hurt themselves and other people, if all they do is wrap up everyone they dont cause fumbles and what not.

[greebs]

agree that tackling versus launching is going to cause fewer fumbles but have to wonder if the trade off is also fewer concussions and longer playing careers and quality of life following football for receivers who seem to be the ones getting the majority of the hits in question lately.

[MuleShack]

He was reaching for the football. What was the D back suppose to do? He hit him with his shoulder then his head followed which caught Jacksons helmet. Would you of rather seen him take out the knees? Those are the tackles that end the most careers.

There is 3' of body between the head and the knees, that is what a good tackle consists of...hit em' hard and wrap em up. Too high or too low and they are just going for the knock out blow!!

[schmitty3]

There is 3' of body between the head and the knees, that is what a good tackle consists of...hit em' hard and wrap em up. Too high or too low and they are just going for the knock out blow!!

He was trying to jar the ball loose. The best way for him to do the was to put a shoulder into him, and thats what he did. He is trying to break up the catch not make a so called proper tackle. Another thing is what if the offensive player puts his head down? That takes away the mid section, you dont have a choice of hitting him in the 3' part of the body, its either the head or knees.

[zepman]

Football is a collision sport...you'll never be able to legislate the violence out of the sport. These guys get paid millions of dollars to do what they do...they are well aware of the risk involved. Play on.

To me, it would be like taking the slap-shot away from the point(blue-line) in hockey because too many guys are getting hit in the head with shots.

Both are the result of bad technique and poor execution but are the result of too many factors...including the unbelievable speed of the game(s)...to fix.

[MuleShack]

He was trying to jar the ball loose. The best way for him to do the was to put a shoulder into him, and thats what he did. He is trying to break up the catch not make a so called proper tackle. Another thing is what if the offensive player puts his head down? That takes away the mid section, you dont have a choice of hitting him in the 3' part of the body, its either the head or knees.

So its ok to take a cheap shot just to get an advantage in the game?

[Surface Tension]

Most of those devastating hits are because.

Tackler has his hit timed perfectly. Starts with setting his body up for the hit and carrying that through to his shoulder with a snap on impact. In football you go the ball as quick as you can, now you have momentum, couple that with a perfect hit and the receiver is stopped in his tracks and on the ground. Popping the ball loose if caught or a timed hit for no reception is the goal. So is the message that your going to pay the price when you come into my zone because my job is on the line and I love to play the game with all I have. That is the way it is and should remain.

Who gets most of these hits. Receivers that are laid out by a QB and QBs while throwing the ball or hit from a blind side. That they must do before they can setup for taking a hit. Once a receiver or runner has the ball and momentum , now they are in the position to hit and how much punishment they can hand out to the defense is more frosting on the cake. QBs make a ball and take it.

No devastating hits is asking a player not to play up to their full potential, how do you do that?

There is a reason for the huge salaries players get paid. It is because they could have a career ending injury at anytime. They all know that and have since they started playing the game.

So now if you let up on a guy and they make the play because of that, what, you argue I could have knocked your block off but didn't. Reminds me of Cops & Robbers with play guns. "I shot you first" "No you didn't I shot you first"

[schmitty3]

So its ok to take a cheap shot just to get an advantage in the game?

How was that a cheap shot? Jackson knew that he was gonna get hit. When he goes over the middle like that he knows there will be a defender there. I don't think you could find any defender in the NFL that would lay back on a hit because the reciever was vulnerable while catching the ball. Its there job to break up the pass, its what they get paid for, and they'll do whatever it takes to do that. Not to mention it was a legal hit, and he got fined $50,000 for it.

[schmitty3]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5706132

great bit by Mark Schlereth

[zepman]

+1. That's a dead-on commentary.

[Musky Buck]

I thought the new rule was must wear at least a loin cloth with a female reporter in the locker room.