Should a RB, including Zeke on Sunday, be called for lowering their head to initiate contact?

[ZekeTrain]

Sure wish he would run that out of bounds and save his body unnecessary wear and tear.

He plays so hard all the time I am afraid that unless he starts to save himself a bit he is going to have the career length of Marion Barber instead of Emmitt Smith.

 

[DogFace]

Lol, smh

Weren’t folks trying to blame Alvin Kamara for “lowering his head” on that blatant helmet shot by Jaylon?

Excellent point. That was not called a penalty.

Do you feel the defensive player for Philly led with his helmet?

 

[DogFace]

People want to blame the NFL, yet ignore the fact that they have been sued for over $500M by players for not protecting them enough. So there’s outrage for the nfl not being safe enough, and then outrage when they try to implement rules to make the game safer. That just can’t be...the game has to change some, just is what it is. Sure, the game was better to watch in the 80’s, but the majority of your favorite players from that era are either crippled or don’t remember what they had for breakfast this morning.

The nfl was sued for deliberately hiding evidence of concussions severity and their effects. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/sports/football/nfl-concussion-research-tobacco.html

https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/blow-nfl-head-hiding-evidence-brain-damag-article-1.2578225

Now they are overcompensating for the mess they created by deceiving players.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Excellent point. That was not called a penalty.

Do you feel the defensive player for Philly led with his helmet?

Uh no, the “woe is uz” crowd can’t have it both ways.

We had folks literally trying to excuse Jaylon’s helmet shot as a legit non-call while blaming Kamara for supposedly lowering his head, which was complete crap anyways as Kamara pulled his head away from Smith, not toward him.

It’s a great example of a certain segment of vocal Cowboy fans that look to excuse EVERY penalty called against the Cowboys.

 

[DogFace]

Uh no, the “woe is uz” crowd can’t have it both ways.

We had folks literally trying to excuse Jaylon’s helmet shot as a legit non-call while blaming Kamara for supposedly lowering his head, which was complete crap anyways as Kamara pulled his head away from Smith, not toward him.

It’s a great example of a certain segment of vocal Cowboy fans that look to excuse EVERY penalty called against the Cowboys.

Yes. That’s why we felt it was correctly ruled a no call. Kamara also lowered his head.

But you’re right. After watching again Kamara didn’t lower his head.

Are you trying to have it both ways?
Do you feel the Philly defender lowered and lead with his head?

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Yes. That’s why we felt it was correctly ruled a no call. Kamara also lowered his head.

But you’re right. After watching again Kamara didn’t lower his head.

Are you purposely being daft?

I posted the video.

Look at the :28 mark and tell me where Kamara is lowering his head. Smith is flying toward him from the left and Kamara tilts his head to the right.

This ain’t up for debate.

 

[OmerV]

Uh no, the “woe is uz” crowd can’t have it both ways.

We had folks literally trying to excuse Jaylon’s helmet shot as a legit non-call while blaming Kamara for supposedly lowering his head, which was complete crap anyways as Kamara pulled his head away from Smith, not toward him.

It’s a great example of a certain segment of vocal Cowboy fans that look to excuse EVERY penalty called against the Cowboys.

Jaylon definitely got away with one on that play. To me the standard should be whether the player lowering and leading with his helmet is initiating contact, as Jayolon was, whether that player is on offense or defense. If a player lowers his head diving, or while going to the ground like Zeke was this last game, rather than initiating the contact, that should be a different matter. In keeping with that, incidental contact where the helmets make contact should not be called against either player. It's just natural and unavoidable that there will be some amount of helmet to helmet contact in football.

 

[HungryLion]

Others are saying he didn't initiate contact. But he had a guaranteed first down and limited damage if he just gets out of bounds. If he takes a hit then maybe he gets another 15 yards by penalty. He tried to out-man the DB and got himself hurt. Like I said, you can definitely debate the merits of the call but I say preserve yourself because he is of utmost importance to this team.

I too wish Zeke would preserve himself. No disagreement there.

I just think this rule is a terrible rule. For several reasons: 1. Sometimes it’s in a running backs best interest safety or otherwise to lower their head and initiate contact. 2. The rule is almost impossible to apply equally and fairly across the league from game to game. This is proven by the fact that it was week 14, Zeke is the first offensive player to be called for it, and plays like that happen in just about every game.

I’m not a conspiracy theorist. I don’t believe the NFL is out to get the cowboys. But what I do believe is that certain rules, this being one, require too much judgment and are incredibly difficult to call fairly for referees to be be expected to do so.

 

[MarcusRock]

He was trying to protect his knees. If they are going to call this then they should make tackling below the waist illegal. Don't go for a guy's legs and he won't have to do what Zeke did. Otherwise a runner just has to give themselves up to potential career ending injury.


I bet this is the only time we see it called since it seems the Cowboys are always on the crappy end of these obscure rules never called before or after.

Listen, I get going low to avert having the other guy go lower for the knees, etc. but why turn into the contact? Stay on a straight line and do the exact same thing like ES said and I don't think this gets flagged. Yes, the flag is debateable but for me this is more about Zeke being central to this team and not taking unnecessary hits.

 

[DogFace]

Are you purposely being daft?

I posted the video.

Look at the :28 mark and tell me where Kamara is lowering his head. Smith is flying toward him from the left and Kamara tilts his head to the right.

This ain’t up for debate.

Are you purposely not reading posts then replying anyway?

 

[superonyx]

Lol, smh

Weren’t folks trying to blame Alvin Kamara for “lowering his head” on that blatant helmet shot by Jaylon?

Nope.

They were saying neither play should be a flag.
Neither of these are examples of targeting. When you have 2 guys running that fast towards each other it’s inevitable that one guy may move himself slightly and the other may also.

Crying for a flag every time guys helmets touch isn’t helping.
The rule is trying to take defensive players from targeting defenseless players.
Nothing about either of these plays has Zeke, Jaylon, Kamara, Eagles DB as defenseless players.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Jaylon definitely got away with one on that play. To me the standard should be whether the player lowering and leading with his helmet is initiating contact, as Jayolon was, whether that player is on offense or defense. If a player lowers his head diving, or while going to the ground like Zeke was this last game, rather than initiating the contact, that should be a different matter. In keeping with that, incidental contact where the helmets make contact should not be called against either player. It's just natural and unavoidable that there will be some amount of helmet to helmet contact in football.

Agreed.

The call on Zeke is debatable. I think it’s a football play that should have been a non-call. Although, to the letter of the law I see why it was called.

 

[DogFace]

Agreed.

The call on Zeke is debatable. I think it’s a football play that should have been a non-call. Although, to the letter of the law I see why it was called.

File this as yet another “unique” call against the Cowboys.

Do you feel the Eagles defender lead with his helmet?

 

[MarcusRock]

As much time as you spend reviewing ref calls you should surely be able to roll of tons of blown calls or missed calls that went against your favorite team....

Come on give us some...

The CONSPIRACY! folks usually have that covered on game day. Heck, they start before the game begins. So in all that stuff there's no need unless .... they're wrong. So I get why I have fan bois. No one likes being shown that they are hallucinating or shown to be more irrational and emotional than a woman who arrives at a party only to see another woman wearing the exact same dress. People claim to want the truth, a fairly called game, etc. until it doesn't benefit them and then they will bend reality ad nauseam to get what they want. That's where I come in with evidence and then observe what happens.

 

[tm1119]

The nfl was sued for deliberately hiding evidence of concussions severity and their effects. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/sports/football/nfl-concussion-research-tobacco.html

https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/blow-nfl-head-hiding-evidence-brain-damag-article-1.2578225

Now they are overcompensating for the mess they created by deceiving players.

It’s not overcompensating- it’s correcting the problem.

And Anybody who didn’t think slamming your head into something at full speed was a bad idea was purposely being naive about the situation. Everyone ignored the situation, not just the NFL. But that’s a whole different argument I’m not going to get into. Bottom line is something HAD to change regardless, so stop *****ing and just embrace it because the rules aren’t going to get any better.

 

[DogFace]

The CONSPIRACY! folks usually have that covered on game day. Heck, they start before the game begins. So in all that stuff there's no need unless .... they're wrong. So I get why I have fan bois. No one likes being shown that they are hallucinating or shown to be more irrational and emotional than a woman who arrives at a party only to see another woman wearing the exact same dress. People claim to want the truth, a fairly called game, etc. until it doesn't benefit them and then they will bend reality ad nauseam to get what they want. That's where I come in with evidence and then observe what happens.

No. This is where you provide no evidence and change the subject.

 

[Ken]

Zeke’s my boy, but who showed aggressive intent? He had two ways to go—straight forward or out of bounds. He had the first down, and knowing the way they call these kind of plays these days, it was kind of dumb.

His goal is to get as many yards or score every time he has the ball in his hands. Running out of bounds, unless it is in consideration of clock, should never be an option for anyone other than a QB.

This is football, not checkers.

He did what he should have. The rule should not be lowering the level of your head but using the crown of your helmet and dropping your head. When that happens, that is when it is dangerous for the runner and the tackler.

 

[DogFace]

It’s not overcompensating- it’s correcting the problem.

And Anybody who didn’t think slamming your head into something at full speed was a bad idea was purposely being naive about the situation. Everyone ignored the situation, not just the NFL. But that’s a whole different argument I’m not going to get into. Bottom line is something HAD to change regardless, so stop *****ing and just embrace it because the rules aren’t going to get any better.

Football players ain’t that smart

Yes. You’re right. They had to change something. I feel they did it as a reaction for getting busted deliberately tainting the findings of the research.

 

[BrassCowboy]

Blind!

Not the last time I checked but will bring it up next time I see my doctor

 

[MarcusRock]

I too wish Zeke would preserve himself. No disagreement there.

I just think this rule is a terrible rule. For several reasons: 1. Sometimes it’s in a running backs best interest safety or otherwise to lower their head and initiate contact. 2. The rule is almost impossible to apply equally and fairly across the league from game to game. This is proven by the fact that it was week 14, Zeke is the first offensive player to be called for it, and plays like that happen in just about every game.

I’m not a conspiracy theorist. I don’t believe the NFL is out to get the cowboys. But what I do believe is that certain rules, this being one, require too much judgment and are incredibly difficult to call fairly for referees to be be expected to do so.

I agree with you on most of that. A RB should have the right to protect himself. That's why I think if he continues to run straight and does the same thing he doesn't get flagged. I'm guessing here, but the official watching the sideline to see if he stepped out probably saw him change directions to run back into the DB.

Is Zeke indeed the first offensive player to be called for it? I thought the announcers said it had been called on offensive players 9 times during the season.