Defensive players whining about a less violent NFL...

[BradyManny]

Ray Lewis pathetic outburst on Sunday and Rodney's [joking] digs at Brady yesterday bring up an ongoing issue, which is that certain players feel the game is losing its physicality, and those players, are more often than not, on the defensive side of the ball.

I emphasis that they are on the defensive side of the ball b/c they are essentially on the attack at all times - Rodney and Ray get to run around the field and throw their bodies at people. At no time do Rodney or Ray Ray face the same threat, particularly to their knees, that a QB in the pocket planting their feet and throwing a ball does. It's not even close to comparable.

So, why, under any circumstances should these guys have their opinions respected on this issue? There are rules in place protecting their knees from blocks that could potentially do damage, why shouldn't the QB have comparable protection??

On top of that, the players are getting bigger & faster than was imaginable thirty years ago when the game was, in fact, more violent. And how much of that can be attributed to improvements in the science of strength & conditioning, and supplements, legal or otherwise (and I'm looking at you now, Rodney)? Honestly, I hate to take a shot at Harrison as he is one of my all-time favorite Patriots, but you got a guy who was busted for PEDs complaining that the game isn't physical enough - the reason QBs have to be protected now more than ever is b/c the players on the other side of the ball are an ungodly and unnatural combination of speed & strength and can inflict more damage and more injuries than otherwise possible.

Franky, I'm just sick of hearing defensive players bytch and moan about the game losing its physicality. They dish out pain, but aside from taking on blocks (which Ray Lewis does his best to avoid anyway), they don't take it.

 

[xmarkd400x]

I don't think its fair to lump Ray Lewis' comments with the general feeling by many players that the game has had some 'oomph' taken out of it.

I'd say that yes, the league will continue to create rules that promote player safety. This is a change, because the rules didn't exist before. As with any change, there will be those who oppose it.

Is it better? I don't know. Will people argue for both sides of it? Certainly. Are Ray Lewis' comments related? Tangentially.

 

[BradyManny]

I don't think its fair to lump Ray Lewis' comments with the general feeling by many players that the game has had some 'oomph' taken out of it.

Why do you say that? Personally, I thought they came off as very general remarks about the state of the game, and not just as specific complaints about the two calls on Brady (both of which were properly made calls).

 

[FirstAndGoal]

I don't think Ray was taking a shot at Brady. He was taking a shot at the rules. I didn't hear anything that was a shot at Brady. I think they have a healthy respect for each other.

 

[BradyManny]

I don't think Ray was taking a shot at Brady. He was taking a shot at the rules. I didn't hear anything that was a shot at Brady. I think they have a healthy respect for each other.

Agreed - that's what I'm saying, he was complaining about a rule that protects the QB knees, yet there are rules in place protecting defensive players knees from blocks as well. And the QB is the one who is most exposed to that kind of injury, anyway.

 

[mayoclinic]

The NFL is oriented to offense and specifically to the passing game. That's what produces big numbers, big ratings, big plays, and big stars like Manning, Brady and Brees. We didn't start it. In fact, we were victims of it when Polian and his Rules Committee made changes to prevent us from physically intimidating and beating up the Colts.

It's sometimes a fine line between physical and dirty play, and I can understand the need to protect players. But personally I prefer a bit more physical play on both sides of the ball. Highlights are fine, but it's not an NBA slam dunk contest, after all. The physical nature of the game is part of what makes football what it is.

I sympathize with defensive players feeling that the NFL is being overprotective. But to ignore the rules and try and play the way you used to when you know it's going to get called is stupid. The league instituted rules about blows to the head and the Brady rule, and they're going to call those things until someone changes the rules.

 

[JSn]

I think they should ban defenders from running at the QB as it could up his stress levels and we all know stress is a silent killer...

I'd rather see teams build better O-Lines than have to institute a gazillion rules to keep QB's alive.

 

[signbabybrady]

Ray Lewis pathetic outburst on Sunday and Rodney's [joking] digs at Brady yesterday bring up an ongoing issue, which is that certain players feel the game is losing its physicality, and those players, are more often than not, on the defensive side of the ball.

I emphasis that they are on the defensive side of the ball b/c they are essentially on the attack at all times - Rodney and Ray get to run around the field and throw their bodies at people. At no time do Rodney or Ray Ray face the same threat, particularly to their knees, that a QB in the pocket planting their feet and throwing a ball does. It's not even close to comparable.

So, why, under any circumstances should these guys have their opinions respected on this issue? There are rules in place protecting their knees from blocks that could potentially do damage, why shouldn't the QB have comparable protection??

On top of that, the players are getting bigger & faster than was imaginable thirty years ago when the game was, in fact, more violent. And how much of that can be attributed to improvements in the science of strength & conditioning, and supplements, legal or otherwise (and I'm looking at you now, Rodney)? Honestly, I hate to take a shot at Harrison as he is one of my all-time favorite Patriots, but you got a guy who was busted for PEDs complaining that the game isn't physical enough - the reason QBs have to be protected now more than ever is b/c the players on the other side of the ball are an ungodly and unnatural combination of speed & strength and can inflict more damage and more injuries than otherwise possible.

Franky, I'm just sick of hearing defensive players bytch and moan about the game losing its physicality. They dish out pain, but aside from taking on blocks (which Ray Lewis does his best to avoid anyway), they don't take it.

so to put it short only the players that gain from the rule changes can complain about them. whether the rules should be added or not is one thing but saying that guys who have to change the way they play can not complain is kind of foolish.


Oh yeah and you don't think trying to tackle Brandon Jacobs is painful? or even Ray Rice you see the momentum he had going for him on that big run you get in the way of that and say its not painful.

 

[BradyManny]

I sympathize with defensive players feeling that the NFL is being overprotective.

But for all the whining, defensive players essentially have the same protection that QBs have with the Brady rule & other existing rules - you can't dive at their knees either.

 

[BradyManny]

Oh yeah and you don't think trying to tackle Brandon Jacobs is painful? or even Ray Rice you see the momentum he had going for him on that big run you get in the way of that and say its not painful.

There's a difference between pain and season-ending injury. The quarterbacks are more exposed than defensive players, and it's not even close.

 

[Synovia]

Ray Lewis pathetic outburst on Sunday and Rodney's [joking] digs at Brady yesterday bring up an ongoing issue, which is that certain players feel the game is losing its physicality, and those players, are more often than not, on the defensive side of the ball..

Ray Ray *****es on the radio about the rules every time the Ravens lose a game. He's a sore loser. Simple as that.

 

[BradyManny]

so to put it short only the players that gain from the rule changes can complain about them. whether the rules should be added or not is one thing but saying that guys who have to change the way they play can not complain is kind of foolish.

Rules have been added in my lifetime to protect the defensive players knees, I can't once remember hearing offensive linemen complain about it.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

I don't think its fair to lump Ray Lewis' comments with the general feeling by many players that the game has had some 'oomph' taken out of it.

I'd say that yes, the league will continue to create rules that promote player safety. This is a change, because the rules didn't exist before. As with any change, there will be those who oppose it.

Is it better? I don't know. Will people argue for both sides of it? Certainly. Are Ray Lewis' comments related? Tangentially.

Again, where was Ray Ray week one when Vince and AD were hit with roughing calls that were worse than the two on Brady?

Did he complain about the Wright penalty?

His opinion would be worthy of respect if he also specifically complained about the Wright penalty. It was in the same game!!!!

Aso, he should be complaining about rules to protect defensive players like crackback blocks, leg whips, tripping, clipping....

Why doesn't Ray Ray invite everyone to go for his knees?Be an example and show us how tough football players really are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where was Ray Ray when Thomas got hit with the roughing call last year against Indianapolis?

 

[BradyManny]

Again, where was Ray Ray week one when Vince and AD were hit with roughing calls that were worse than the two on Brady?

Did he complain about the Wright penalty?

His opinion would be worthy of respect if he also specifically complained about the Wright penalty. It was in the same game!!!!

Aso, he should be complaining about rules to protect defensive players like crackback blocks, leg whips, tripping, clipping....

Why doesn't Ray Ray invite everyone to go for his knees?Be an example and show us how tough football players really are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where was Ray Ray when Thomas got hit with the roughing call last year against Indianapolis?

Right this is my main problem. Why doesn't Ray Lewis ask for rules about blocks in the back or chipping to be eliminated?

And the same goes for Rodney - he's complaining about QBs being protected, but Rodney was - and rightfully so - upset about the cheap shot Wade took that ended his season in 06.

 

[signbabybrady]

There's a difference between pain and season-ending injury. The quarterbacks are more exposed than defensive players, and it's not even close.

no where did I say the knees shouldn't be protected. I think that is a good rule addition but I think there should be some tweaks to the protection rules because some are over board the fact that if you just tap a QB on the helmet you get a blow to the head call is ridiculous there should be some judgement there was it incidental was it actually rough same with the one about picking them up and slamming them a la A.D. earlier this year by the letter of the rule A.D. prolly commited a roughing but he didn't excessively slam him and if the refs were allowed a litte judgment not into intent but into how hard the contact actually was than maybe it wouldn't be so bad again the knees should be protected though.

 

[Synovia]

intent but into how hard the contact actually was than maybe it wouldn't be so bad again the knees should be protected though.

Why? Why should Suggs be penalized less for Grazing a QB's knee than blowing someone's knee out. You punish the action, not the outcome. If you don't penalize guys for diving at the knees and missing, they keep diving until they hit.

 

[BradyManny]

no where did I say the knees shouldn't be protected. I think that is a good rule addition but I think there should be some tweaks to the protection rules because some are over board the fact that if you just tap a QB on the helmet you get a blow to the head call is ridiculous there should be some judgement there was it incidental was it actual rough same with the one about picking them up and slamming them a la A.D. earlier this year by the letter of the rule A.D. prolly commited a roughing but he didn't excessively slam him and if the refs were allowed a litte judgment not into intent but into how hard the contact actually was than maybe it wouldn't be so bad again the knees should be protected though.

Well, I don't disagree - let me just put it this way - we, as fans, can b*tch, moan, do whatever - we are not paid to play this game. But the players, as professionals who know the rules & have an obligation to play by them, have no right to. Especially on the defensive side of the ball when they are the guys inflicting these hits. Did AD or Wilfork go on a tirade after the game about the physicality of the game, or the new rules? Hell no.

And I think Synovia makes a great point above - "you punish the action, not the outcome" - very well put. Suggs dove at Brady's knee, if Brady doesn't hop out the way, we'd be in trouble right now.

 

[xmarkd400x]

Why do you say that? Personally, I thought they came off as very general remarks about the state of the game, and not just as specific complaints about the two calls on Brady (both of which were properly made calls).

I say that because I inferred that Ray Lewis was having a complain fest because he was upset about losing. I didn't clearly state that, and I'm not sure how many other people agree or disagree.

So, my opinion was based on a piece of information I did not share, which probably caused some confusion.

Anyways, I just think Ray was being a sore loser.

 

[signbabybrady]

Rules have been added in my lifetime to protect the defensive players knees, I can't once remember hearing offensive linemen complain about it.

I am not sure he is specifically refering to the knee rules as I would bet he agrees with that especially if you phrased it the way you just did. IMO its the collective nature of it you can't hit them high, you an't hit them low, you can't pick them up and slam, you can't bare all your weight on them, and you can't sneeze in their direction because of n1h1. Whats next no blind side hits those seem dangerous?

 

[PrairiePat]

I think they should ban defenders from running at the QB as it could up his stress levels and we all know stress is a silent killer...

I'd rather see teams build better O-Lines than have to institute a gazillion rules to keep QB's alive.

Back to '3 yards and a cloud of dust', eh JSn? So it's all the OL's fault that QBs are getting hurt? C'mon!

Players are faster and stronger than ever, some even legally, and the game has to adapt to keep things from devolving into a demolition derby out there. Think about it. Defensive players can't headslap, closeline, horse collar, facemask, helmet spear, etc. Offensive players can't hold, chop block, or push in the back. These were mostly changes designed to prevent injuries, and they've been very successful. The 2 QB rules (hit to the head and hit to the knees) fall into this group. Now it's just a matter of the defenses getting used to it, and referees learning to call it correctly.