N.F.L. to Consider Rule on Runners Lowering Helmets

[thenepatsrule]

N.F.L. owners will consider a significant rule change at their annual meeting next week that would prohibit players – runners and defenders – from using the crown of their helmets to initiate contact and deliver a forcible blow.

The rule, which would affect plays outside of the small space called the tackle box – anything in space and downfield would be subject to it — was endorsed by an 8-0 vote of the competition committee during meetings last week, according to John Mara, the president of the Giants and a member of the committee. For the rule to pass during next week’s meeting in Arizona, 24 of the 32 owners must approve it, and Mara said the unanimous vote of the competition committee – which consists of owners, coaches and other team executives – left him optimistic that would happen.

N.F.L. to Consider Rule on Runners Lowering Helmets - NYTimes.com


LOL very soon team huddles will look like

 

[WhoaDirty]

I'm all for protecting the players, and I've liked a lot of their safety rules, but how is a runner supposed to take a hit with that rule??

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

So RBs will have to run strait up going through the line? Cant wait to see all those injuries

 

[Kimimar0]

Too late for Ridley.

 

[SwedishPat]

Yeah, that is a really bad idea. When play, I lower myself because that hurts less. The reason for that is because you don't get hit straight in the freaking ribs/stomach as you would if you where straight. I can really see why the NFL has banned a lot of the hard hits on receivers where they look for the ball and a safety flies in helmet to helmet, because that is dangerous. But this is really an integral part of football, and it protects people.

 

[Sciz]

The key wording there is "outside of the small space called the tackle box," meaning they can still do it on inside runs.

 

[Ring 6]

The key wording there is "outside of the small space called the tackle box," meaning they can still do it on inside runs.

And it doesnt say lowering your shoulder it says initiating contact with the crown of your helmet, ie spearing.
This is a better rule that the rule that has evolved that says hitting a receiver hard is illegal.

 

[dales804]

Too late for Ridley.

He got knocked into last year by Pollard so I don't think it applies to him this year if it goes through.

 

[stealthdog]

I like it. I hate how defensive players have been hit (by fines and penalties) for leading with the helmet, yet RBs and FBs essentially lower their heads and use it as a battering ram into defensive players. If defensive players can't use their helmets as tools, then RBs shouldn't be able to either.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

do not like.

 

[Joker]

I always lower my helmet when I go to the men's room to take a squirt...oh...wait....football helmet???

 

[captain stone]

About damn time for this rule change. I'm sick of all the previous rules designed to protect offensive players
while ignoring the need to also protect defensive players.

Mike Tolbert put on a clinic a couple of years ago in Foxborough on using the helmet as a weapon.
So what's good for the goose should be good for the gander.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Did anyone see the round table with Brady, Montana, young, Rodgers and the other fella? Montana shared some insight on safety. Remember how the scary linebackers, d linemen etc of the earlier years of football? They hit hard but they tackled with their arms. Not head or full on body force. They used their arms. This resulted in the less concussions and injuries from hard hits. Also he said play with no helmets. Won't use your head to tackle with and you don't feel as safe.

 

[RayClay]

Good luck enforcing that.

They really need to adopt some type of soft on thr outside helmet. That will lessen blows and make it stupid to lead with it.

Very few successful runners who never get low for various reasons and without detachable heads, can't see how this rule doesn't lead to hilarity.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Helmets really need to be redesigned with 21st century physics impact analysis and materials. It's unconscionable for the NFL and worse yet NFLPA to do nothing about this obvious area of improvement. That said, I agree with the Montana comments about old style tackling with arms and shoulders. When you fall, do you try to hit the ground head first?