Two hand touch??

[Scott K]

Quote:

One of the rules changes unanimously approved Tuesday at an NFL owners meeting could have a chilling effect on defensive players.

The most significant rule deals with “launching” to level a defenseless player (i.e. leaving both feet prior to contact to spring forward and upward into an opponent or using any part of the helmet to initiate forcible contact against any part of the opponent’s body). Not only will there be a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty, but the launching defender can be ejected from the game if the action is judged flagrant by the officiating crew.

The league also further defined what constitutes a “defenseless position” for players with an eight-point list:

* A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass.

* A receiver attempting to catch a pass or one who has not completed a catch and hasn’t had time to protect himself or hasn’t clearly become a runner. If the receiver/runner is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player.

* A runner whose forward progress has been stopped and is already in the grasp of a tackler.

* A kickoff or punt returner attempting to field a kick in the air.

* A player on the ground at the end of a play.

* A kicker/punter during the kick or return.

* A quarterback any time after a change of possession (i.e. turnover).

* A player who receives a “blindside” block when the blocker is moving toward his own end-line and approaches the opponent from behind or the side.

Prohibited contact against a player in a defenseless position was further defined as “forcibly hitting the neck or head area with the helmet, facemask, forearm or shoulder regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him.” It is also illegal to lower the head and make forcible contact with the top/crown or forehead/”hairline” parts of the helmet against any part of the defenseless player’s body.

The latter provision does not prohibit incidental contact by the mask or helmet in the course of a conventional tackle.

The third approved change clarified the rule regarding protection of the quarterback. Hits to the head of a passer by an opponent’s hands, arms or other parts of the body will not be fouls unless they are forcible blows.

These rule changes were tabled at a March owners meeting because some teams were unhappy with the wording that was presented by the NFL’s competition committee.

[Getanet]

These rules seems reasonable to me. It doesn't say you can't hit, block or tackle those folks, you just can't launch yourself into them.

I've read all stories I care to about former players having severe brain/neurological problems, leading to depression and suicide. With the size and speed of today's players, a few rules that may help ensure their brains aren't scrambled eggs by the time they hit 50 seems justified.

[Scott K]

While I agree that some hits are unreasonably hard, most arent. Deal with the hard ones, and dont make the game hard to play for the others. You cant hit the QB after a turn over? What if he is trying to tackle you? I think it will be pretty tough to avoid some hits while a reciever is slanting the middle of the field as well.

There are risks with all jobs, they just get overly compensated for theirs. I guess the fans will be the judge, once everyone stops watching them whinny rich brats play a game.

[Getanet]

You cant hit the QB after a turn over?

That was how I originally read the rule as well. But upon further review, that entire list defines a "defenseless player" that you a player can't launch himself into. So, yes, players can hit a QB who just threw an interception, but they can't turn themselves into a human missle and try to take the guy's head off.

I think it will be pretty tough to avoid some hits while a reciever is slanting the middle of the field as well.

I agree with you that it will be tough. But again, it's not saying they can't tackle the guy, they just can't launch into him.

[TruthWalleyes]

I guess i would agree if the NFL quit being such a hypocrite and stopped selling this kind of stuff:

[zepman]

These rules seems reasonable to me. It doesn't say you can't hit, block or tackle those folks, you just can't launch yourself into them.

I've read all stories I care to about former players having severe brain/neurological problems, leading to depression and suicide. With the size and speed of today's players, a few rules that may help ensure their brains aren't scrambled eggs by the time they hit 50 seems justified.

Nobody forces these guys to play in the NFL...they know the deal when they sign up. Injuries happen...sometimes a head ends up like scrambled eggs...no rule change will ever prevent this from happening.

These guys are paid handsomely to play a dangerous sport...let them play it the way it should be played. Fast. Hard. Aggressive.

[JosMN]

So will this stop the [PoorWordUsage] O-lineman from coming in and hitting the pile for no reason at the end of plays - when his runningback or whatever is already at the bottom of the pile? A good hit is a good hit, but when the defense is on top of the pile, in awkward positions already and a o-lineman comes in and hits the top when the play is basically dead...what’s the point? Old Frank Winters did that all the time and I hated seeing it. That’s how guys get hurt.

Totally agree with zepman above.

[PierBridge]

So people are going to stop watching the NFL because of advanced safety precauations?...LOL.................ocean front property in the Sahara desert for sale anybody?...

[Getanet]

The NFL has a vested interest and responsibility to protect the health of their players, within reasons. I see these rules that prohibit the defender from launching themselves into players neck and head area as no different than outlawing clothes-lines and head-slaps that were part of the game years ago.

The NFL game is light years away from becoming a sissy league or two hand touch.

[Scott K]

So people are going to stop watching the NFL because of advanced safety precauations?...LOL.................ocean front property in the Sahara desert for sale anybody?...

I dont think it would be the only reason, but it maybe the last reason? Maybe, over priced? Cant stand the whining from the players, and owners? To many stupid rules? I also think they are trying to over govern a high speed game, let them play! They know the possibility of injury before getting to this point. If they dont like it, they can flip burgers, as most of them have been destined to do any how!

[FISHINGURU]

Soon they will be wearing skirts.