NFL could soon ban tackling technique it says creates ‘25 times’ the injury risk

[big dog cowboy]

NFL could soon ban tackling technique it says creates ‘25 times’ the injury risk​

Jori Epstein - Senior NFL reporter
Wed, Oct 18, 2023

NEW YORK — Momentum is building for the NFL’s next on-field rule change.

The league’s competition committee, as well as its health and safety committee, are discussing how to respond to a tackling technique that their data says “results in about a 25 times rate of injury as a typical tackle,” executive vice president Jeff Miller said.

The league calls the tackle in question a “hip-drop tackle.” If that doesn’t clarify the play to you, you’re not alone. The league is trying to better define what does and doesn’t constitute it.

“It is an unforgiving behavior, and one that we need to try to define and get out of the game,” Miller said.

NFL competition committee chair Rich McKay called the tackle a “cousin” to the horse-collar tackle, which consists of grabbing the inside collar of the back or side of an opponent’s shoulder pads or jersey, or the jersey at the name plate or above, to pull a runner toward the ground. A hip-drop tackle similarly involves a tackler grabbing a ball carrier from behind and pulling him down in a manner that prevents self-defense.

Read much more: https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-could-...eates-25-times-the-injury-risk-050441627.html

Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) suffered a fractured leg on this play against the San Francisco 49ers in last season's divisional playoffs. The injury occurred on a so-called "hip-drop" tackle. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

 

[Coogiguy03]

Needs to be new rules on the calls these refs DON"T make!!!

 

[John813]

Part of me hates the increased difficulty for defenders but at the same time I can't say I mind the NFL trying to reduce injuries and the obvious connection to a tackle method.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, a member of the competition committee, echoed McKay in calling the hip-drop tackle “the brother or the sister” of the horse collar. The competition committee “discussed it heavily” at Tuesday’s league meeting session, Jones said.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Part of me hates the increased difficulty for defenders but at the same time I can't say I mind the NFL trying to reduce injuries and the obvious connection to a tackle method.

Biggest injuries these days are things being TORN etc, ACL's are being destroyed, in practice during the game etc. We need player safety on this. Maybe they should require players to go in there and get their ACL's surgically strengthened and boom!!!

 

[MarcusRock]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nfl-co...eates-25-times-the-injury-risk-050441627.html

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, a member of the competition committee, echoed (NFL competition committee chair, Rich) McKay in calling the hip-drop tackle “the brother or the sister” of the horse collar.

“They grab them around the hip and sling their body around and land on the back of their legs,” Jones told Yahoo Sports on Tuesday from the league meetings. “I wouldn’t say it’s intentional all the time. But unfortunately, it’s a deal kind of like the horse collar that when it happens, people get hurt.

“It’s a very injurious play.”
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The NFL met with coaches this offseason about “some concern about how you officiate it,” Jones told Yahoo Sports. Particularly in the box, where the NFL doesn’t apply horse-collar rules against quarterbacks, questions loom. Conversations with coaches led to warnings: If this technique isn’t eliminated organically, expect a vote this offseason on penalizing it.

The competition committee “discussed it heavily” at Tuesday’s league meeting session, Jones said.

 

[Captain-Crash]

well crap, it's flag football time.

 

[Scottishcowboy]

I don't understand how with today's technology, they can't give players new ACLs pitch side in the blue tent, laser fixing leg breaks etc.

Steve Austin crashed his plane and got fixed up better that new in the Six Million Dollar Man and that was 50 years ago....surely technology is better now?

I appreciate inflation may result in more than $6 million in 2023 but come on NFL!

 

[davey999]

Here are two things they can do to address player safety.
1.Turf playing fields
2.Thursday night games

 

[Praxit]

.....well, good bye football. Whats left of it.

Enforce that rule. 80 flags a game, guaranteed.

People= We want our money back

 

[Pantone282C]

Looks like it is used quite purposely. Jerry was being kind.

 

[foofighters]

Can they find a way to make a hot dog and a beer more affordable while they are at it?

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Sarcastaball is coming soon.

 

[JayFord]

Can they find a way to make a hot dog and a beer more affordable while they are at it?

thats up to the stadium....

if they could make beer $30 a cup and make profit they would

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

People here were so butt hurt about talking about this intentionally dangerous play this offseason. Just living in denial and then watching them do the same thing to Turpin three yards out of bounds.

 

[Havic]

Can we just play football instead of legislating everything?

 

[BLEU3ASY]

Yeah this is a “dirty players” tackle, it’s there it they want to use it(San Fran used it on Pollard) smh.. frustratingly these new rules happen to Dallas more than any other team I think.. ie. Tony with the k-ball in Seattle.. Dez.. Pollard…

 

[loublue22]

I think it's easy to tackle someone that way with an intent to injur, but I'm not sure how you would write a rule that wouldn't result in terrible game-changing flags we all hate.

 

[Kevinicus]

Basically, no more tackling from behind unless you just swipe at their feet to trip them ..at least until they ban that too.

 

[jujoboys]

That tackle hurt us in 2 playoff games. Dropping the weight of the body and hip into the back of the ankles and knees is very dangerous to the guy being tackled.

2018 - we lost Allen Hurns (brutal injury) and Cole Beasley in the playoff game against Seattle. We won the game but didn't have Hurns the following week.

2022 - lost Tony Pollard to this tackle against SF.