Cowboys will endorse the Roy Williams rule' - Dallas Cowboys Forum

tunahelper36 · 03-23-2005

Cowboys endorse the 'Roy Williams Rule'

By Charean Williams

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

KAPALU, Hawaii - The Cowboys will vote to ban the horse-collar tackling technique, owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday.

NFL owners today will decide whether to deem the tactic unsportsmanlike conduct and subject to a 15-yard penalty and a fine. The technique, made infamous by Cowboys safety Roy Williams last season, involves grabbing a runner behind his neck and immediately pulling back on the shoulder pads.

"It's strictly a safety issue," Jones said. "It was shown that the combination of being able to stop the player's progress and follow through with the tackle was more risky than we wanted it to be. That's the way I look at it. I think players like Roy Williams expose some of the things, safety-wise, in a very positive way that we need to be looking at, because it takes a lot of skill to do some of those things."

The competition committee made its recommendation to outlaw the tackling technique in a presentation to owners Tuesday. Mike Pereira, the NFL's director of officiating, showed videos of three horse-collars, all involving Williams, that would be made illegal by the votes of 24 owners. The media is referring to it as the "Roy Williams Rule."

"I know people are talking about it being about Roy Williams, but it's really not," Pereira said. "It just happened that he was involved in some of these plays, and considering the extent of the injuries, this has become a concern."

Williams seriously injured three players with the technique in 2004. Tennessee Titans receiver Tyrone Calico injured both knees in a preseason game at Dallas on Aug. 30, requiring surgery on his left knee. Calico tried to play in one game before going on injured reserve.

Ravens running back Musa Smith went on injured reserve after a Nov. 21 tackle by Williams left him with a compound fracture in his right leg that required surgery.

Eagles receiver Terrell Owens' surgically repaired right ankle and fractured fibula after a Dec. 19 tackle by Williams kept Owens out four games, including two in the postseason, over seven weeks.

In addition, a horse-collar tackle by Williams on running back Jamal Lewis forced Lewis to miss two games with a sprained right ankle, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said Tuesday.

"There were four different occasions that it ended up being an injury on that type of tackle," Newsome said, "so from a safety standpoint, we have to try to find a way to eliminate that."

The horse-collar is among 19 proposals owners are expected to vote on today.

Howard update

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said he is getting the cold shoulder from the Cowboys concerning trade talks for New Orleans defensive end Darren Howard. But Jerry Jones said the team remains interested.

"We just haven't been able to come to any agreement on compensation, which isn't unusual," Jones said.

The Cowboys have no interest in trading either of their first-round draft picks -- No. 11 and No. 20 -- or linebacker Dat Nguyen.

The Saints used the franchise tag on Howard, guaranteeing him $7.8 million this season, but New Orleans has been working to trade the five-year veteran who had 11 sacks last season and has 41 in his career.

In defense

The Cowboys have not decided whether to switch to the 3-4 defense, and Jerry Jones said there is no timetable to decide.

"[The draft] will impact the decision somewhat," Jones said.

The 3-4 defense is making a comeback in the NFL and is the scheme preferred by coach Bill Parcells. But the Cowboys want to make sure their personnel fits the 3-4 before making a decision. Toward that end, they signed Jets nose tackle Jason Ferguson (6-foot-3, 305 pounds) in free agency.

Aikmaniac · 03-23-2005

I'm interested to hear/read what Roy has to say.

Yeagermeister · 03-23-2005

Pretty soon Roy won't be able to touch another player. Nice way to single out your own player Jerry.

joseephuss · 03-23-2005

Does anyone in the NFL even watch the films? This is about the most ridiculous thing I have seen proposed for the NFL.

tunahelper36 · 03-23-2005

Lets see , theres the Emmitt Rule for taking off your helmet on the field .

The M.Irving rule for push off's

The Eric Willams Rule for hands to the face. (wich was made famous by Deacon Jones)

The Deion Sanders rule for excesive celebration in the end zone

The Roy williams rule for hores collar tackling (b/s)

The Nate newton rule , don't get caught with marijuana in your vehicle (twice)

any others I forgot ?

TLW47 · 03-23-2005

I think if they keep this up pretty soon they'll just have flag football and that way nobody can tackle. Jerry can sound so silly sometimes.

Hollywood Henderson · 03-23-2005

Wow, if Jerry did in fact say that, I just lost ALOT of respect for him...

In fact I will lose ALOT of LOVE I once had for the game...

Maybe I will need to find something else to do during football season if this becomes a WUSSY league...

LA=Pancakemaker · 03-23-2005

Quote:

Does anyone in the NFL even watch the films? This is about the most ridiculous thing I have seen proposed for the NFL.

This makes me laugh, is this for real??? amen what a joke!

Doomsday101 · 03-23-2005

Maybe they should add that the ball carrier can not struggle for more yards after contact is 1st made. After all many injuries occure when the runner is trying to pick up the extra yardage with defenders hanging on to him? Naw rule changes are for defense only I forgot!!!

Yeagermeister · 03-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doomsday101

Maybe they should add that the ball carrier can not struggle for more yards after contact is 1st made. After all many injuries occure when the runner is trying to pick up the extra yardage with defenders hanging on to him? Naw rule changes are for defense only I forgot!!!

Exactly.....they won't be satisfied until the NFL has been turned in the AFL.

**trickblue** · 03-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by tunahelper36

Lets see , theres the Emmitt Rule for taking off your helmet on the field .

The M.Irving rule for push off's

The Eric Willams Rule for hands to the face. (wich was made famous by Deacon Jones)

The Deion Sanders rule for excesive celebration in the end zone

The Roy williams rule for hores collar tackling (b/s)

The Nate newton rule , don't get caught with marijuana in your vehicle (twice)

any others I forgot ?

The Mel Renfro Rule...

tunahelper36 · 03-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by trickblue

The Mel Renfro Rule...

please ,don't leave us hanging.

junk · 03-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollywood Henderson

Wow, if Jerry did in fact say that, I just lost ALOT of respect for him...

In fact I will lose ALOT of LOVE I once had for the game...

Maybe I will need to find something else to do during football season if this becomes a WUSSY league...

If the league becomes WUSSY, Zimmer will be king, right?

SuspectCorner · 03-23-2005

chiffon uniforms and high-heeled cleats.

royhitshard · 03-23-2005

It is a sad day when Jerry won't even stick up for his best defensive player!