Dr. Z Comment on Roy Williams Rule

[Vertigo_17]

Cut to the Chase

I had to laugh at the Roy Williams rule, which has been tabled until May when it will be passed, we are assured. It says that a tackler can't grab someone by the shoulder pads from behind and yank him to the ground "immediately" as the Cowboys safety did to Terrell Owens last season, putting him out of commission for four games. The film study showed this to be a dangerous practice, but tell me, please, exactly how are you supposed to grab a guy from behind?

Tacklers downfield are supposed to bring a runner down any way they can, I've always been taught. And how about that "immediately" thing? Are they supposed to hold the reins on him for 10 yards or so, like a coachman trying to control a wild stallion, and then ease him to the ground?

The league passed a rule outlawing the peel-back block. If a blocker drifts outside the tackle-to-tackle box and then comes back in on the side of a defender's knee, it's a penalty. But not if he stays inside and similarly takes him out at the side of the knee -- a dangerous, vicious practice that, strangely, still remains within the rules.

So yours truly turned on the automatic record machine, and in the polly-want-a-cracker style I've been croaking to the Competition Committee for at least 20 years, began my litany: "Simple rule, no cutting unless you're face up. Simple rule, no cutting unless you're face up," until everyone got tired of it and told me to shut up.

Why is it so difficult for the league to understand that you don't mess with the side or the back of the knees, no matter what angle you're coming from? But they move against this technique in tiny little one-inch steps. Hey fellas, simple rule, no cutting unless you're face up. Simple rule, etc.

Kudos to the Committee and the coaches, though, for voting in a strict interpretation of unnecessary roughness. Thus a hit such as the famous Warren Sapp crippling shot on Chad Clifton a few years ago, which was within the rules at the time, will now be flagged because it's not necessary to the play and just plain nasty besides.

[LA=Pancakemaker]

I think this is the first time i agree with Dr Z>???????

[AdamJT13]

Originally Posted by Vertigo_17

Are they supposed to hold the reins on him for 10 yards or so, like a coachman trying to control a wild stallion, and then ease him to the ground?

That's called the Brian Dawkins technique.

[LA=Pancakemaker]

That's called the Brian Dawkins technique

You forgot to add, pick them up as high as you can and slam them to the turf as hard as you malitiously can?

[Cbz40]

Dr Z

[Vertigo_17]

speaking of Dawkins, does anyone remember in the Filthy/Atlanta playoff game this year - Dawkins laid a mean hit on one of the ATL recievers near the endzone. Everyone applauded, no flags, high five, etc - yet the play was almost a mirror of the Dallas / Seattle hit that cost Woodson $75K. He clearly "launched" his body.


Anyway, kinda off topic, but something I remembered seeing and saying ? So much Cowboys Bias

[jobberone]

Originally Posted by LA=Pancakemaker

You forgot to add, pick them up as high as you can and slam them to the turf as hard as you malitiously can?

Now to a reasonable person I believe that was a malicious tackle. That would have been a 15 yarder and I would have kicked him out of the game (Dawkins).

Same with the Sapp incident. That was not legal IMO because it was unnecessary roughness and certainly unsportsmanlike conduct. There is a difference between a tough hit and an unsportsmanlike one.

Don't ask me to define it. As a Supreme Court justice once said, "I can't define pornography, but I know it when I see it." Same here.

on this Fisher.

Someone start a new issue to spin our wheels on until the draft. PLease. :quack:

[AJM1613]

Originally Posted by LA=Pancakemaker

You forgot to add, pick them up as high as you can and slam them to the turf as hard as you malitiously can?

He never hurt anyone.

[pdiddy2k2]

Hey folks, Browns Fan here. I came down to the board when you guys signed Anthony Henry. Great signing I might add, I think he will provide a compliment for Terrance Newman and ya'll will have a great defensive backfield even with the hunt still going on for a FS.

Anyway, just wanted to add that these rule changes because of that Roy Williams tackle on TO (which is the main reason it is changing.....TO is a household name, have to protect him), is a crock!!! I believe that there are more important things that could be looked at to keep safety in the game, I don't think the owners should be playing around with the fundamental things.

Anyway I live in Dallas and will be paying close attention to the Boyz.....second to my Browns!!! Hope ya'll have a great season, I think at the very least, the D will be nasty!! Laterz.

[Chief]

In the film replays, the offensive players (T.O., Musa, etc.) obviously feel Roy pulling on their collar, but they try to keep their feet under themselves and keep running ... apparently thinking they can break loose somehow.

That's just a painful and costly miscalculation on their part.

[AdamJT13]

Originally Posted by AJM1613

He never hurt anyone.

Speedbumps usually don't.

[BoysFanInAustin]

Originally Posted by AJM1613

He never hurt anyone.

Except for maybe Ike Hilliard a couple of years ago.

[ternce]

the immediate thing is ridiculous sounding

[jobberone]

Originally Posted by pdiddy2k2

Hey folks, Browns Fan here. I came down to the board when you guys signed Anthony Henry. Great signing I might add, I think he will provide a compliment for Terrance Newman and ya'll will have a great defensive backfield even with the hunt still going on for a FS.

Anyway, just wanted to add that these rule changes because of that Roy Williams tackle on TO (which is the main reason it is changing.....TO is a household name, have to protect him), is a crock!!! I believe that there are more important things that could be looked at to keep safety in the game, I don't think the owners should be playing around with the fundamental things.

Anyway I live in Dallas and will be paying close attention to the Boyz.....second to my Browns!!! Hope ya'll have a great season, I think at the very least, the D will be nasty!! Laterz.

Thanks for the encouragement and being a fan...even if we're number two. Hope you guys have a great season.

[Manster54]

I saw the Musa Smith play live (saw Henson play in NFL for the first time too) and it did not look good for him, but it sure looked clean to me. Roy Williams plays hard hitting aggressive football. While I understand the players need to be protected, it is still a contact sport and injuries will occur however the tackle/collision occurs.