Below the knee hits might become new hot topic

[ravens533]

According to the article referenced below, now that heads and helmets are off limits, they are now see more players target the lower half of a player when tackling. Please read the article and give your opinion on the situation. Personally, I think all these excess rules about player safety is just making in more dangerous in some ways.

 

http://www.nflevolution.com/article/nfl-to-consider-rules-to-protect-players'-knees-during-this-season?ref=0ap1000000234736

 

 

 

[GrimCoconut]

Lol. How will guys tackle? With their eyes?

[rmw10]

You can now only tackle by giving a nice, gentle hug.

[SecretAgentMan]

Ugh...

 

 

Lol. How will guys tackle? With their eyes?

 We should bring back Ray Lewis. He will put up 10 more HOF seasons

[1/28/01]

Just ask nicely once within arms reach.

[easternshore97]

Lol. How will guys tackle? With their eyes?

Well...God forbid they actually complete a good form tackle.

 

I do think that the league has gone too far with their strike zone, HOWEVER, I don't see a problem applying that to lower extremeties either. That would actually do a lot of good. Players wouldn't dare miss a single lift during the off-season.

 

Yeah, Deion Sanders would have never made it in a league where you had to complete a good solid form tackle, but DBs do need to get it right. They are basically the only ones that'd be affected because most linebackers are at least close to getting the art down.

 

But then again...maybe I'm just conflicted on this whole thing and blowin smoke =/

[GrimCoconut]

Well...God forbid they actually complete a good form tackle.

I do think that the league has gone too far with their strike zone, HOWEVER, I don't see a problem applying that to lower extremeties either. That would actually do a lot of good. Players wouldn't dare miss a single lift during the off-season.

Yeah, Deion Sanders would have never made it in a league where you had to complete a good solid form tackle, but DBs do need to get it right. They are basically the only ones that'd be affected because most linebackers are at least close to getting the art down.

But then again...maybe I'm just conflicted on this whole thing and blowin smoke =/

Injuries are serious and I'm all for safety that makes sense. With that said, we're going to get to the point where guys are thinking too much. You're essentially going to have a very small tackle zone.

This is football and these guys know this. That's why they're paid so much. They knew this going in. It wasn't a secret. Make it simple is what I'm saying. If you do something to purposely hurt someone you get suspended and fined and ejected. Players shouldn't be trying to hurt each other.

[Grendelwulf21]

Sarcastaball...

[ravens533]

My concern is that the tackler is going to get hurt when the tackley moves and the tackler has to try to compensate quickly. Then the tackler will end up being the one that gets hurt. I agree with Grim Coconut. Just fine/suspend guys that really try to hurt another - be it a high or low tackle. (but again that is subjective)

[easternshore97]

Injuries are serious and I'm all for safety that makes sense. With that said, we're going to get to the point where guys are thinking too much. You're essentially going to have a very small tackle zone.

This is football and these guys know this. That's why they're paid so much. They knew this going in. It wasn't a secret. Make it simple is what I'm saying. If you do something to purposely hurt someone you get suspended and fined and ejected. Players shouldn't be trying to hurt each other.

I'm with you there 1000%. What I'm saying is that I don't think it's as over the top as some may make it out to be. Now, do I think you have to make such a rule? No - I don't think they need to make this rule. In the event that they do make such a rule, I don't think bad things will come of it.

 

I will go back to what I said in a different thread...actually, you already said it for me in your comment. Guys know it's football. Unfortunately, we can't call out the NFL for the scumbags they are. They have made the rule and the hammer has come down as far as what is an illegal hit EVEN THOUGH, players would much rather take a hit in the numbers or above the numbers as opposed to down below. But again, if players learn a proper tackle, that wouldn't be a bad thing, and if they have a solid weight room plan to address any shortcomings in their tackling, that wouldn't be a bad thing either

[GrimCoconut]

I'm with you there 1000%. What I'm saying is that I don't think it's as over the top as some may make it out to be. Now, do I think you have to make such a rule? No - I don't think they need to make this rule. In the event that they do make such a rule, I don't think bad things will come of it.

I will go back to what I said in a different thread...actually, you already said it for me in your comment. Guys know it's football. Unfortunately, we can't call out the NFL for the scumbags they are. They have made the rule and the hammer has come down as far as what is an illegal hit EVEN THOUGH, players would much rather take a hit in the numbers or above the numbers as opposed to down below. But again, if players learn a proper tackle, that wouldn't be a bad thing, and if they have a solid weight room plan to address any shortcomings in their tackling, that wouldn't be a bad thing either

There's a lot of lazy tackling in the NFL but I'm not sure it's going to change.

[easternshore97]

My concern is that the tackler is going to get hurt when the tackley moves and the tackler has to try to compensate quickly. Then the tackler will end up being the one that gets hurt. I agree with Grim Coconut. Just fine/suspend guys that really try to hurt another - be it a high or low tackle. (but again that is subjective)

I honestly think that that's bogus. It is football. I think Ed Reed would have had more games had it not been for him having to tackle 260 pound tight ends cleanly. But that is the game. Like Grim said, people will get hurt trying to make a game saving play. It Is Football. Plus, you forget that Roger Goodell isn't really that concerned with keeping defensive players healthy so that idea would be shut down before it ever makes it anywhere to begin with

[beanfigger]

NFL players should have to sign a release stating that they will not sue the league at any point for long term injury effects. The league should mandate the safest possible equipment and properly punish those who make dirty plays. However, they can't just keep making these blanket rules that punish everyone who makes a hit in a certain strike zone the same. They new to discern whether it was within the natural reaction to the game of football that happens at lightning speed or if it was a dirty hit meant to take a guy out or hurt them unnecessarily.

[easternshore97]

NFL players should have to sign a release stating that they will not sue the league at any point for long term injury effects. The league should mandate the safest possible equipment and properly punish those who make dirty plays. However, they can't just keep making these blanket rules that punish everyone who makes a hit in a certain strike zone the same. They new to discern whether it was within the natural reaction to the game of football that happens at lightning speed or if it was a dirty hit meant to take a guy out or hurt them unnecessarily.

I'm real curious as to why they're not doing that already. Thinking back to the ESPN article on the Va Tech helmet study of which the league refuses to mandate anything because if they do, and a player gets an injury, whereas the player did not ever experience an injury with the less safe helmet that they were using before, the NFL thinks it would be liable. Interestingly enough they of all people either have misunderstood tort law, OR they are choosing not to do the right thing. I maintain it's the latter.

 

Also thinking back to Ed Reed's almost suspension last year against San Diego. Ted Cotrell lifted the suspension, only to still fine Reed for the hit in which they had plenty of time to review and make a reasonable assertion that it was a sudden impact hit with 0 malicious intention. 

 

I think anytime someone gets hit with a lawsuit, people refrain from doing what's actually considered right, and ultimately elect to do what will protect them from future lawsuits and that's get some upfront money to stash in the risk management jar.

[GrimCoconut]

I'm real curious as to why they're not doing that already. Thinking back to the ESPN article on the Va Tech helmet study of which the league refuses to mandate anything because if they do, and a player gets an injury, whereas the player did not ever experience an injury with the less safe helmet that they were using before, the NFL thinks it would be liable. Interestingly enough they of all people either have misunderstood tort law, OR they are choosing not to do the right thing. I maintain it's the latter.

 

Also thinking back to Ed Reed's almost suspension last year against San Diego. Ted Cotrell lifted the suspension, only to still fine Reed for the hit in which they had plenty of time to review and make a reasonable assertion that it was a sudden impact hit with 0 malicious intention. 

 

I think anytime someone gets hit with a lawsuit, people refrain from doing what's actually considered right, and ultimately elect to do what will protect them from future lawsuits and that's get some upfront money to stash in the risk management jar.

Also, the NFL upsets me to no end on this issue. It's ridiculous that these athletes have to pay for their own medical expenses if that's true. It's not right. Granted, I recognize that's part of the reason they get paid so much, but regardless of how you save and how thrifty you are you can't predict the future. No insurance company wants to insure an ex-NFL player, and if they do I'm sure the premium is astounding. 

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/former-bengals-lb-reggie-williams-had-24-surgeries-160141006.html

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/interactive/article/20130825/COL03/130822035/Ex-Cincinnati-Bengal-fighting-save-leg?nclick_check=1

 

Look at this article right here. It just really gets me mad (to put it mildly) that there isn't any insurance for these guys. I won't post the image. Not sure if I would get in trouble. Nothing obscene or grotesque in my eyes. 

[easternshore97]

Also, the NFL upsets me to no end on this issue. It's ridiculous that these athletes have to pay for their own medical expenses if that's true. It's not right. Granted, I recognize that's part of the reason they get paid so much, but regardless of how you save and how thrifty you are you can't predict the future. No insurance company wants to insure an ex-NFL player, and if they do I'm sure the premium is astounding. 

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/former-bengals-lb-reggie-williams-had-24-surgeries-160141006.html

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/interactive/article/20130825/COL03/130822035/Ex-Cincinnati-Bengal-fighting-save-leg?nclick_check=1

 

Look at this article right here. It just really gets me mad (to put it mildly) that there isn't any insurance for these guys. I won't post the image. Not sure if I would get in trouble. Nothing obscene or grotesque in my eyes. 

Aww man that's absurd

[Cville-Raven]

Just look at the Jon Bostic hit. You cant even hit guys in the chest now. 

[BloodRaven]

I think Goodell wants defenders to tackle with wads of cash.

[easternshore97]

I think Goodell wants defenders to tackle with wads of cash.

This

[JO_75]

I think Goodell wants defenders to tackle with wads of cash.

 

Then the players can just give their fine money to the refs right then and there. You can have flags on one side(let's face it, Flag Football is coming and a Money Pouch on the other side. For every penalty, the player can reach into his pouch and give the ref the fine money.

[Gordo52]

Lol. How will guys tackle? With their eyes?

Flags

[berad]

If people keep putting their helmets into guys' knees under the guise of 'duh, I was avoiding the fine' then why not?

 

A kill shot is a kill shot whether it's aimed at someone's head or their knee.

[ravensfan2430]

On a similar note... can someone explain to me.....

 

In the commercials for the NFL where they claim to teaching kids and adults how to "play safer" and "tackle correctly", then they show a parent or kid tackling a pad with the head up and arms coming from underneath.... is it just me or would that cause helmet to helmet contact everytime?

[beanfigger]

On a similar note... can someone explain to me.....

In the commercials for the NFL where they claim to teaching kids and adults how to "play safer" and "tackle correctly", then they show a parent or kid tackling a pad with the head up and arms coming from underneath.... is it just me or would that cause helmet to helmet contact everytime?

I think face mask to face mask is considered much different and safer than (crown of) helmet to helmet.

[T3hRaven]

I think face mask to face mask is considered much different and safer than (crown of) helmet to helmet.

That was my understanding as well.

[HockeyAndRavens]

They should change the tackling rules like Rugby. In Rugby, it is required that you wrap around the man you are tackling instead of charging at them with your shoulder, it happened to me before in Rugby matches. I'd love for them to do this and get rid of the high tackling rule if it was required that you wrap.