NFL Considering Penalizing Ball Carriers For Lowering Head & Initiating Contact

[usc90grad]

pft –
In another sign that the days of punishing, physical running backs like Jim Brown and John Riggins are coming to an end, the NFL is considering a rules change that would penalize runners for lowering their heads and initiating contact with tacklers.

Members of the NFL’s Competition Committee revealed today that they want to see a new rule that would make it a personal foul for either a runner or a tackler to engage in head-first contact with the crown of the helmet when running into each other outside the tackle box.

“This is a pure and simple player safety rule,” NFL Competition Committee Chair Rich McKay said. “We really think the time has come where we need to address the situation in space where a runner or a tackler has a choice of how to approach his opponent.”

Rams coach Jeff Fisher, a member of the Competition Committee, said he believes coaches will be able to properly instruct their players in how to adjust to this rule.

“The ballcarrier is still going to be permitted to lower his shoulder, and the head is also going to come down to protect the football,” Fisher said. “We’re not taking that part of the run out of the game. What we’re saying is, in space, one-on-one, head-up, we’re not going to allow you to load up and use the crown of your helmet. It’s an obvious thing.”

[lchite4]

It will be interesting to see how this rule gets enforced.

[RudeCock]

All of these rules may be good for Lingerie Football. If I'm gonna watch the same type of play, I might as well watch hot women do it.

[35-21]

This rule could be very good for the game. I can't count the times I have seen a ball carrier do this as a defender comes in with a mid to low level tackle and the defender comes away with a flag for a helmet to helmet hit. I actually think putting some of the responsibility for safety back on the offense will open the game back up a bit.

[Shep]

Before they do this, I think they should look into calling facemask penalties against runningbacks and receivers. It drives me crazy to see a ball carrier reach out and grab a defenders facemask and jerk him around and everyone is ok with it because he's an offensive skill player. Its either dangerous or its not.

[Acockolypse Now]

In other news linemen now must count to "5 Mississippi" before they can rush the QB.

[uscbrasco]

Applied properly, probably a good rule. Unfortunately, the NFL sucks at making good calls.

[keegthecock]

This would hurt Latti's numbers.

[usc90grad]

So the RB is just supposed to stay in the up position and take the hit? The NFL is killing itself slowly...one asinine rule at a time.

[I Bleed Garnet]

The reason I dislike this is because eventually it will come over to the college game as well.

But hey NFL ratings keep going up.

[usc90grad]

Originally Posted by I Bleed Garnet

But hey NFL ratings keep going up.

That's because MLB and NBA sucks more every year. People are starved for good sports. I would watch bowling before an NBA game.

[I Bleed Garnet]

Originally Posted by usc90grad

That's because MLB and NBA sucks more every year. People are starved for good sports. I would watch bowling before an NBA game.

It's because people love pro football the most. And with the top franchises being in large markets you'll get that.


And NBA ratings have actually increased over the last couple years.
Not saying the product has gotten better.

[35-21]

Originally Posted by usc90grad

So the RB is just supposed to stay in the up position and take the hit? The NFL is killing itself slowly...one asinine rule at a time.

Read it again. The ball carrier (not just RBs) can drop the shoulder, he just has to keep his head up. Basically, no using the helmet as a weapon. This is intended to create some sense of equity between the ball carrier and the defender at the point of contact.

[cockinraleigh]

more pussification of the greatest game in the world.

[COCKYTALKIN]

Say goodbye to the running game if that happens.

[hubbarjm]

Originally Posted by Acockolypse Now

In other news linemen now must count to "5 Mississippi" before they can rush the QB.

[hubbarjm]

This is so stupid its almost as if the game is digressing back to when the forward pass was illegal except with the running game. At some point there wont even be a running back position at this rate. I mean look at the disappearance of the full back in the game today. How many "stud" Full backs are there and how many teams even field one? Pretty much none in the Pro's. This also ensures Emmitt Smith's record (never would of happened without Darryl "moose" Johnston")will never be touched, EVER. I mean the whole league is pass heavy now and this will make it worse.

[ccured]

I think I like this rule if properly enforced. In space why should the defense have to play by different rules.

[Lalli25]

This will be awful and incorrectly enforced.

I would like to see the RB not allowed to grab a defenders facemask when stuff arming.

[simplesimon]

all of this new age football is garbage. people are gonna get hurt, and thats just part of the game. now i hate to see a player get injured but its just the nature of the beast. they ought to just start playing flag football.