"The NFL continues to seek different ways to make football safer. Yet one rule change proposed by the competition committee for next season met with strong resistance from Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte. As reported by Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, the rule would make it illegal for rushers to lead with the crown of their helmet once they got outside the tackle box. The proposal was one of three safety-related suggestions." This is getting out of control. Might as well just play flag football. The commissioner is turning the NFL into a powder puff league. I understand the concept of player safety first. But football is a full contact, collision sport. These guys are gladiators, and understand the risks associated with playing such a violent sport.
With all the research being done on concussions and the long lasting effects they have...does anyone REALLY understand the true risks associated with these hits? I agree it's a physical, full contact game, but the NFL is simply trying to minimize their risk. From a business standpoint, it makes sense. Some running backs are huge nowadays (Brandon Jacobs is 6'4, 260)...it's not the same game it was 20 years ago. The hits are more dangerous now. While I want to see toughness in the NFL, I also want the players safe.
No I agree wholeheartedly, but a running back lowering his head is a basic part of running the ball. So now running backs have to run upright? How are they going to break tackles for Pete's sake? Nobody is going to have an yards after contact if that's the case. Nobody is going to rush for over 1,000 yards.
I absolutely agree...lowering their head is a fundamental part of breaking tackles. However, just like any other new rule (or potential new rule, as in this case)...the players will adjust their approach. Look at how the defense has to counter PI calls...they've learned that most times if they simply turn their head towards the ball, they won't get flagged. You'll always have some idiots who refuse to adjust their play (Quentin Jammer for instance), but most learn after a few penalties to work within the boundaries of the game. The league has made huge steps towards requiring players to NOT lead with their heads. This goes all the way down to Pee Wee football now. It's the safest approach.
Well I grew up watching Christian Okoye and Craig Heyward steamrolling opposing tacklers. And Ronnie Lott lighting opposing receivers up like a xmas tree. Lawrence Taylor flattening the other teams quarterback. Again, I understand safety first...but this brand of football certainly leaves a lot to be desired.
does a boxer know the risks of getting punched in the head repeatedly? please these guys (football players) have been smacked around in HS and college enough to realize that pads only absorb so much, and that there's a nice-sized risk involved with playing the sport. you kinda know as a RB ur shelf-life is short and ull probably end up with bad knees, and that as QB ur going to get concussions for example regardless of the risks involved, it's a fun sport and lots of guys that have played and been banged around and damaged would STILL play if they could
A boxer takes that risk upon himself. The NFL, as a business, holds some potential liability if they fail to protect their players. Your comparison of the two is apples and oranges IMO. I do agree though, that despite the risks involved, players would still choose to play. That doesn't change the leagues stance on safety though. From everything I've read, it seems that this new rule has a high chance of being implemented. If that happens, the players will adjust. They always do.
guess what tho...they're still fruits and a boxer takes the risk upon himself the same way a MMA fighter does, and a NFL or hockey player no one forces you to play either sport and if you continue to play a contact sport like football, the jokes on you but hey..let the NFL tame the sport...like the NHL tame their sport...let the UFC tame their sport..hell...prevent head contact in every sport because of the concussion risk
No ones trying to "prevent head contact"...the point is to penalize players for using their helmet as a weapon. Whatevever though. At the end of the day, this rule will probably be approved by the owners, the players will adjust, and the NFL won't lose any viewership over it.
which is preventing head contact.... theyre not trying to prevent players from ramming a guy in the leg with their helmet it's the under-the-chin hits that send helmets flying and players to the hospital unless i missed something..i only read like a little bit of people's posts here before responding kinda ignorant like that
I get what you're saying. Yes, they're trying to prevent helmet to helmet head contact, as that's the most dangerous. No one cares about incidental head contact. This is all a moot point...
Hey I'm married and happy but a woman with such inanate knowledge of football is sexy as hell , ? the physical part of football from now on will continue to be tweaked every off season, as a purist I hate it myself, the nfl is a multi billion dollar business now smart business to continue to look at player safety
