NFL Helmut-to-Helmut Hit

[vortex]

It seems the NFL can't make up it's mind. They market the game as hard-hitting. Then they penalize players personally for playing the way the need to - intensely. If they don't play at that level, their job is in jeopardy. So the players feel caught between a rock and a hard place.

Can you think of a possible solution to this inconsistency in the NFL's rules?

Is there a way to let the players play the game without being penalized for doing so?

 

[thechenman]

Yeah...no helmets or pads...after a few hits they'll learn to take it easier...

 

[UTvols186]

The players understand the consequences they are adults if they cant take the beating and a worried about brain damage they wouldnt have made it to the nfl. Let them continue to play the same way they have for years and get the nfl need to get over it.

 

[engspot]

I think this change will just lead to more leg injuries rather than head injuries.

I am confused as well about what the NFL is selling us and giving us.

 

[theorangeman]

As I was watching Outside the Lines this morning, I was thinking how confusing this whole thing is. Your question, engspot, is one I have too... what the hell is the NFL trying to sell or give us. Even more, I would love to know what their motive is behind all of this. I understand the helmet to helmet hits, but the fines and suspensions for "dangerous" hits sound far too arbitrary and broad in scope to officiate in any consistent way.

 

[vortex]

I agree that the fines and suspensions is taking it too far and would be difficult to execute fairly. Treating it like a face mask penalty sounds like a more reasonable enforcement policy.

Offensive: 15 yards and loss of down, perhaps?
Defensive: 15 yards and automatic First Down?

 

[AVB]

I'll second that :thumbs: Although I'm not sure that Rugby players take it easier.

Yeah...no helmets or pads...after a few hits they'll learn to take it easier...

 

[LilBastage]

I think they should make the field bigger. These guys are so big, strong, and fast these days I think if they had more room to move, maybe some of the hits would be less severe. I guess you also have the aspect of someone gaining even more speed with a bigger field, though.

I don't know what they need to do. The new enforcement is too arbitrary and really goes against the truism of "he who takes it easy doesn't leave the field, he's taken off the field".

I think someone is going to get killed on the field in the next 5 years. I'm not sure there's anything they can do to stop it, either.

 

[grateful1]

I learned to block\tackle with my head up.

Pro guys seem to use the helmet as a spear.
Also, they try to use the helmet to knock the ball out.
If they aren't looking at what they are hitting, helmet hits occur

It's one thing to 'hit' someone...it's another to tackle.

It's even in a Wiki!

"As you tackle through the ball carrier, lead with your shoulder, not with your head/helmet!!! As this can cause serious injury or death. Remember also to keep your head facing up and your neck "bulled" out."

The funny thing...even the wiki shows helmets hitting...at least it's face up! LOL

 

[Leon]

I learned to block\tackle with my head up.

Pro guys seem to use the helmet as a spear.
Also, they try to use the helmet to knock the ball out.
If they aren't looking at what they are hitting, helmet hits occur

Same here, except I was taught to put you helmet on the ball when you tackle to force fumbles. Most players do not even bother to wrap up with thier arms ,they just throw thier bodies at the opposing player trying to make a highlight tape. I have seen so many plays that would of been short gains if the defense would just tackle properly!

Now that is out of the way! All these rules to protect from injuries... gimme me a break. Everyone that plays football knows the risk and the down side of playing the game. I my self have slipped disks,2 knee surgeries and oddly one thumd surgery to show for my playing days. IMHO that is why they get paid millions a year, the bigger the risk the bigger the reward! So what if hey get brain damage at the age of 60? They where able to live the high life since age 20 and on!

 

[Dozerhead]

I learned to block\tackle with my head up.

Pro guys seem to use the helmet as a spear.
Also, they try to use the helmet to knock the ball out.
If they aren't looking at what they are hitting, helmet hits occur

Same here, except I was taught to put you helmet on the ball when you tackle to force fumbles. Most players do not even bother to wrap up with thier arms ,they just throw thier bodies at the opposing player trying to make a highlight tape. I have seen so many plays that would of been short gains if the defense would just tackle properly!

Now that is out of the way! All these rules to protect from injuries... gimme me a break. Everyone that plays football knows the risk and the down side of playing the game. I my self have slipped disks,2 knee surgeries and oddly one thumd surgery to show for my playing days. IMHO that is why they get paid millions a year, the bigger the risk the bigger the reward! So what if hey get brain damage at the age of 60? They where able to live the high life since age 20 and on!

Unfortunately, most players don't make millions of dollars a year. Plus, add the fact the average NFL career is only 3-4 years long then, at least IMO, they need to do a better job of protecting the players. I think the real tragedy is that so many former players are suffering the debilitating effects of their football careers, whether it be dementia, ALS, or other mental illnesses, as early as their 40's in some cases and the NFLPA or the NFL has done very little to help these people.

That being said, I think the NFL has done a poor job of handling the situation this past week and their vague discription of what a "vicious hit" entails is a disservice to the players and will only add more confusion...and possibly more injuries. I think they should just enforce the rules that are on the books and not re-invent the wheel in the middle of the season. This may sound hypocritical given my stance on protecting the players, but fwiw, I thought Robinson's and Harrison's hits last week were good clean football hits.

 

[thechenman]

In truth I think Bob Costas was right when he commented on these new rules during SNF. These rules are meant to protect the NFL from lawsuits down the road. Plain and simple. They want the appearnce of the NFL doing all they can to protect players to avoid future lawsuits from players and their families.

 

[Smoking Bulldog]

I think one of the biggest problems has become, running backs especially, are dropping their heads lower and lower so defenders have less to aim at. As they get lower they end up leading with their head and making it the most likely target when tackling. I think it is a two way street for sure and to really make a change for the players safety they have to do something about how runners come at defenders.

With that said I think the point chenman brings up is exactly right. NFL has best marketing and public relations of any sport so they can address this in a way where it looks good publicly and cover them from future lawsuits... we'll see how much things actually change as the games go along.

 

[{tpc}]

I listened to an interview with Ditka this morning on sterns show on sirius. He stated that rugby players don't have the head injury thing as much, and also it wasn't until after the invent of the helmet that this kind of thing started to happen. He said nowadays players have all this protection...helmets, full face guards, so they basically feel protected by this stuff and use it like they are invincable. He said if they just had one bar on the helmet that there might be less yapping too, because guys would be afriad to get their nose broke lol.

It kinda made sense. You can apply it everywhere if you want to. The safer you make something the more likely you are to take chances that you wouldn't take otherwise. The thing is, its not 100% and I think sometimes we forget that.

 

[vortex]

In truth I think Bob Costas was right when he commented on these new rules during SNF. These rules are meant to protect the NFL from lawsuits down the road. Plain and simple. They want the appearnce of the NFL doing all they can to protect players to avoid future lawsuits from players and their families.

I think that you hit the nail on the head as to WHY they are instituting these new rules.

I listened to an interview with Ditka this morning on sterns show on sirius. He stated that rugby players don't have the head injury thing as much, and also it wasn't until after the invent of the helmet that this kind of thing started to happen. He said nowadays players have all this protection...helmets, full face guards, so they basically feel protected by this stuff and use it like they are invincable. He said if they just had one bar on the helmet that there might be less yapping too, because guys would be afriad to get their nose broke lol.

It kinda made sense. You can apply it everywhere if you want to. The safer you make something the more likely you are to take chances that you wouldn't take otherwise. The thing is, its not 100% and I think sometimes we forget that.

Interesting! So football, like almost everything else, used to be better back before all the "improvements" made through the years to make it "safer" and "better".

 

[Dozerhead]

In truth I think Bob Costas was right when he commented on these new rules during SNF. These rules are meant to protect the NFL from lawsuits down the road. Plain and simple. They want the appearnce of the NFL doing all they can to protect players to avoid future lawsuits from players and their families.

I think that you hit the nail on the head as to WHY they are instituting these new rules.

I listened to an interview with Ditka this morning on sterns show on sirius. He stated that rugby players don't have the head injury thing as much, and also it wasn't until after the invent of the helmet that this kind of thing started to happen. He said nowadays players have all this protection...helmets, full face guards, so they basically feel protected by this stuff and use it like they are invincable. He said if they just had one bar on the helmet that there might be less yapping too, because guys would be afriad to get their nose broke lol.

It kinda made sense. You can apply it everywhere if you want to. The safer you make something the more likely you are to take chances that you wouldn't take otherwise. The thing is, its not 100% and I think sometimes we forget that.

Interesting! So football, like almost everything else, used to be better back before all the "improvements" made through the years to make it "safer" and "better".

I can't speak for rugby, but what is interesting is that I've read where many soccer players suffer similar effects that former NFLer's do, such as early onset of dementia, mental illness, and sometimes ALS. The reason is often attributed to multiple headshots with the ball. I've read where some of those kicks can travel 50mph, or more, so I can see where it would create a helluva an impact when cracked against one's skull.

 

[Matthew Adam]

Just another case of the NFL (and other sports) trying to fix a part of the game that degarded over the years as the focus shifted from actually playing the game. Rather than talent, individuality, and each guy trying to be the star.

The sports leagues fostered this by selling the feat of the individual in marketing and making tons of money doing so. Before you know it, the overall capacity of the average player to play within the fundamentals of a game deteriorates.

So what you have now is a valid rule put in place to undo this, but it isn't going to work. The NFL promotes the big hit, the knee busting juke, and other dangerous plays and makes tons of money off of it. The players have shifted their game to play that way. And now, lo and behold, people are getting hurt left and right because noone gives a crap about playing within the rules of a sport. The rules set in place to help define that sport and how it is played.

The new rules won't work, of course.

 

[LilBastage]

So, the Patriots player that hit Bret Fav-ray right in the middle of the chest but happened to bust his chin open a little when Fav-ray's head came down from the impact has been fined for the hit. This is the type of BS that critics of this new emphasis have been talking about.

A clean hit. Square in the chest. Incidental top of helmet to chin contact.

 

[engspot]

Yeah, the fine on the Farve hit was BS.

I'm beginning to think this is the "James Harrison Rule". This guy is getting fined every week and he just doesn't learn...he will probably be the first to be suspended. If he can't figure out how to tackle soon he's going to be made an example.

 

[punk_lawyer]

I'm beginning to think this is the "James Harrison Rule". This guy is getting fined every week and he just doesn't learn...he will probably be the first to be suspended. If he can't figure out how to tackle soon he's going to be made an example.

And perhaps he should be the example....