New rules for big hitters!

[PATSNUTme]

Owners approve new rules changes - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN

Well the NFL is doing something during the lockout. They have now defined the "launching rule" although I don't see any big changes.

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.

Oooops, that could be a big game changer right there.

 

[mcsully]

Owners approve new rules changes - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN

Well the NFL is doing something during the lockout. They have now defined the "launching rule" although I don't see any big changes.

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.

Oooops, that could be a big game changer right there.

What the point of being a safety if you can't hit/ Might as well draft corner backs..

 

[signbabybrady]

Note to WR it might not be a bad idea to jump for any catch including easy ones because it will be easier for you to catch as no one can sneeze at you when you are in the air.

It seems to me that the if the WR can jump to catch a ball than the defender should also be allowed to jump. Why cant it just be a head hunting rule?

why does every rule that protects the offense have to be a detriment to the defense? Seems to me that if WRs are getting hurt to much as they are in the air and defenseless than dont let the WR get into that position.

 

[randomk1]

NTFL- National Touch Football League

 

[signbabybrady]

Oh and one more thing. Why is it that they continually change rules to protect players but still let them go out onto the field with antiquated helmets. This should be stadardized before anymore stupid rules are put in place.

I have read that alot of players are hesitant to use the newer helmets because they are slightly bigger and mess with peripheral vision. Well this wouldn't be an issue if everyones peripherals were equally messed with and the players would be safer for it. Hell they cant even get the players to wear the helmets properly too much hair and not enough actually buckeling the chin straps.

 

[Raymond]

The NFL is clearly concerned with first and foremost, "Player Safety" before everthing else....cough, cough, 18 game season.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Yes the revenue enhancement 18 game National Flag Football League season is only a couple more years away. Soon they'll outlaw going down scary water park rides in the off season.

 

[townes]

I have no problem with the launching penalties, hits like the one Meriweather delivered to Heap last season should be outlawed and players suspended and losing game checks for them. I love physical football and feel like DB's in particular should be given more leeway in playing physical against receivers, however truly dirty hits, like Meriweather's and the one Ryan Clark delivered on Welker a couple of years ago should be seriously punished. These guys are simply too big, too fast, and too athletic to be headhunting and ending careers, especially in a league where contracts are not guaranteed and a career ending injury also ends the contract.

 

[signbabybrady]

I have no problem with the launching penalties, hits like the one Meriweather delivered to Heap last season should be outlawed and players suspended and losing game checks for them. I love physical football and feel like DB's in particular should be given more leeway in playing physical against receivers, however truly dirty hits, like Meriweather's and the one Ryan Clark delivered on Welker a couple of years ago should be seriously punished. These guys are simply too big, too fast, and too athletic to be headhunting and ending careers, especially in a league where contracts are not guaranteed and a career ending injury also ends the contract.

Brandon Merriweather 5-11 200 lbs
Todd Heap 6-5 247 lbs

I am not saying the league shouldnt do things to protect the players. I am saying they should do the right things to protect the players. We can outlaw hitting all together or we can force them to wear equipment that actually protects them. You make your choice I know where I stand.

 

[letekro]

Brandon Merriweather 5-11 200 lbs
Todd Heap 6-5 247 lbs

You are ignoring an important variable in the following equation:

F= MA

 

[townes]

Brandon Merriweather 5-11 200 lbs
Todd Heap 6-5 247 lbs

I am not saying the league shouldnt do things to protect the players. I am saying they should do the right things to protect the players. We can outlaw hitting all together or we can force them to wear equipment that actually protects them. You make your choice I know where I stand.

Banning headhunting is doing the right thing, and the fact that heap is bigger than Meriweather means nothing when a guy Meriweather's size launches himself at Heap's head and destroys him. It doesn't matter how big you as when someone takes a shot like that at your head.


My choice is good hardhitting football without dirty plays and cheapshots, and there is no reason you can't have both. Banning clotheslines and headslaps never hurt the game but saved players from losing careers and banning launching and headshots that have no place in sports is a good move. On the other hand the PI rules are a complete joke and have to be overhauled.

 

[Deus Irae]

Banning headhunting is doing the right thing, and the fact that heap is bigger than Meriweather means nothing when a guy Meriweather's size launches himself at Heap's head and destroys him. It doesn't matter how big you as when someone takes a shot like that at your head.


My choice is good hardhitting football without dirty plays and cheapshots, and there is no reason you can't have both. Banning clotheslines and headslaps never hurt the game but saved players from losing careers and banning launching and headshots that have no place in sports is a good move. On the other hand the PI rules are a complete joke and have to be overhauled.

You seem to have misread the rule, since "using any part of the helmet to initiate forcible contact against any part of the opponent’s body" is not headhunting. It's much closer to an expansion of the spearing definition than it is to a headhunting rule.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Only a matter of time before someone blames Brady for this rule/point of emphasis.

 

[patfanken]

I have no problem with the launching penalties, hits like the one Meriweather delivered to Heap last season should be outlawed and players suspended and losing game checks for them. I love physical football and feel like DB's in particular should be given more leeway in playing physical against receivers, however truly dirty hits, like Meriweather's and the one Ryan Clark delivered on Welker a couple of years ago should be seriously punished. These guys are simply too big, too fast, and too athletic to be headhunting and ending careers, especially in a league where contracts are not guaranteed and a career ending injury also ends the contract.

I agree, but also I'd like to add the fact that "launching" is just BAD basic football. Those idiots miss as many times as they make contact. Leaving your feet before you made contact was one of the first things you try to get a player NOT TO DO....and that's at the HS level.

You are supposed to see what you are hitting and RUN THROUGH the ball carrier. Launching is not only unsafe for BOTH players, its just plain BAD FOOTBALL.

 

[Joker]

The towel boy hit Tom with an oversized Cannon beach blanket at the end of the water slide...Goodell outlaws throwing in the towel as a consequence...unless it's Sexy Wrecksie's toe wipe

 

[patfanken]

My choice is good hardhitting football without dirty plays and cheapshots, and there is no reason you can't have both. Banning clotheslines and headslaps never hurt the game but saved players from losing careers and banning launching and headshots that have no place in sports is a good move. On the other hand the PI rules are a complete joke and have to be overhauled.

Ahhhh the "clothesline". My favorite move for RBs coming out of the backfield, back in the day. There was nothing more satisfying that timing it just perfectly as they THOUGHT they were going to accelerate past you on a swing and go route. One second they are running the next second they are on the ground. Ahhh sweet memories. Thanks Townsie

 

[Joker]

Conrad Dobler wouldn't last a quarter in today's GoodelFL

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

How about Chuck Bednarik?

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Goodell = worst commissioner ever.

Based on the new rules, a just should just have tall jumping receivers and throw the ball high all the time. If the receiver gets rocked, that defender gets tossed from the game.

 

[ivanvamp]

I agree, but also I'd like to add the fact that "launching" is just BAD basic football. Those idiots miss as many times as they make contact. Leaving your feet before you made contact was one of the first things you try to get a player NOT TO DO....and that's at the HS level.

You are supposed to see what you are hitting and RUN THROUGH the ball carrier. Launching is not only unsafe for BOTH players, its just plain BAD FOOTBALL.

Does this rule apply to short-yardage situations where a RB leaps over the pile, and LBs leap to meet him in the air? I mean, they lead with their helmets (LBs, that is) and launch themselves prior to the hit. By that definition, it seems that a RB will be able to leap over the pile and not be in danger of getting hit until he gets to a defender who is standing on the ground. But by then, he'll already have the first down (or touchdown, whatever the case may be).