RB helmet rule led by Mara, of course

[17yearsandcounting]

Oh yeah, that's pretty fair to the players. Take millions of dollars and shut-up about your health. Or go work at Foot Locker. Right? That kind of attitude is ridiculous and exploits people who, typically, have an underprivileged background.

There's no good excuse not to protect people's health while still providing a great sport. None. Fans can complain all they want, but the game is still the game and the competition remains the same.

The game won't cease to interest me because there's less concussions and people seizing in the shower afterwards.

They are people who typically, have received a free college education.

Tons of other sports out there.

 

[Gaede]

They are people who typically, have received a free college education.

Tons of other sports out there.

Oh, I see. Getting free things as a kid makes up for life-threatening illnesses later in life.

 

[ufcrules1]

Oh yeah, that's pretty fair to the players. Take millions of dollars and shut-up about your health. Or go work at Foot Locker. Right? That kind of attitude is ridiculous and exploits people who, typically, have an underprivileged background.

There's no good excuse not to protect people's health while still providing a great sport. None. Fans can complain all they want, but the game is still the game and the competition remains the same.

The game won't cease to interest me because there's less concussions and people seizing in the shower afterwards.

Excellent post! Completely agree. Get over it people.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

So we're supposed to make the game completely safe? You can't do that and have it be the same game. You just can't.

Why don't I hear this kind of thing about hockey? They probably get concussions from checking and getting hit, don't they? Are they talking about basically outlawing their game, too?

I suspect not. Why? Because the NHL doesn't have billions of dollars for lawyers to exploit.

 

[17yearsandcounting]

Oh, I see. Getting free things as a kid makes up for life-threatening illnesses later in life.

But it might teach them the basics of f=ma.

Its a dangerous sport, they get paid well.

 

[GoCowboysGo]

when demarco murray gets a 15yd penalty diving for a td you will change your mind

Nope, I have watched the boys since 1971, players today are so much bigger, faster and will do almost anything to win. I just think if a player dives for a TD or 1st down he will be fine, if he attacks a defender by leading with the crown of the helmet, that's dangerous to himself and his opponent.

I really don't see this kind of play too often and I don't think there will be much, if any impact.

Thanks for trying to read my mind though!

 

[InmanRoshi]

I agree with CL. Eventually society will just have to come to terms with the fact that playing football is a fundamentally unsafe practice and you do so at your own peril. Just like we have with bull riding, motocross, boxing, most "extreme" sports, demolition derby, stunt driving and whatever else people participate in that leads to a large amounts of injuries over time. If you get hurt voluntarily doing something highly dangerous, it's not a "scandal". It's consequences and results. There's no shortage of other activities and hobbies for you and/or your children to participate in if it's not worth it to you.

 

[GoCowboysGo]

So we're supposed to make the game completely safe? You can't do that and have it be the same game. You just can't.

Why don't I hear this kind of thing about hockey? They probably get concussions from checking and getting hit, don't they? Are they talking about basically outlawing their game, too?

I suspect not. Why? Because the NHL doesn't have billions of dollars for lawyers to exploit.

Here's an article about serious concussion problems in the NHL.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/sports/hockey/another-wave-of-concussions-hits-nhl.html?_r=0

 

[Titleist]

Does anyone else think this is a conspiracy against the Cowboys? I mean let's be real here...there is no RB in the league that seeks out contact in the open field more than Murray. Murray has shown time after time that he'd rather punish a defender than run out of bounds (which is kind of stupid, tbh). And then you look at the Giants RB's: Bradshaw and Wilson. Neither of these guys are particularly hard hitting, they're all about speed.

 

[sacase]

This is a stupid rule. But I will wait to see how it plays out. That being said if it goes how I think it goes, the NFL will become a passing interest for me. This player safety stuff is going to far. When players sign their contracts have them sign medical waivers as well. Its not that difficult. You don't see Boxers go around suing people over concussions problems and they have far more brain injuries than football players. This is not the game I gew up playing and loving

 

[17yearsandcounting]

Here's an article about serious concussion problems in the NHL.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/sports/hockey/another-wave-of-concussions-hits-nhl.html?_r=0

Again, who would have thought that grown men violently colliding with each other isnt safe?

 

[Doomsay]

Does anyone else think this is a conspiracy against the Cowboys? I mean let's be real here...there is no RB in the league that seeks out contact in the open field more than Murray. Murray has shown time after time that he'd rather punish a defender than run out of bounds (which is kind of stupid, tbh). And then you look at the Giants RB's: Bradshaw and Wilson. Neither of these guys are particularly hard hitting, they're all about speed.

Not sure if this was specifically targeted against the Cowboys (many have been in the past) but given how little respect this team seems to get from the league and the refs, the addition of another discretionary penalty to the books is bound to hurt us disproportionately.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Don't think there's any conspiracy, but imagine if this rule had been in effect when we had Barber at his best...

 

[crazytown41]

I wish the NFL would release a video to help explain the new rule better. The NBA did it for their new flopping rule.

 

[juck]

Marshawn Lynch career just went in the dumps

 

[GoCowboysGo]

What's really strange is that when Marion Barber would crush defenders by driving his helmet into opposing defensive players, people on this forum kept saying how he was going to cut his career short if he kept doing that!

He in fact did cut his career short with his brutal style, and this rule change aims to try to eliminate that one thing, driving the crown of the helmet into opposing players, like Earl Campbell running that guy over when he lowered his helmet and killed that guy.

It seems really simple to me, this is a rule aimed at eliminating concussions, neck and back injuries so that we can see our favorite players on the field longer and not ruining a team's salary cap!

 

[EightyEight]

Oh yeah, that's pretty fair to the players. Take millions of dollars and shut-up about your health. Or go work at Foot Locker. Right? That kind of attitude is ridiculous and exploits people who, typically, have an underprivileged background.

There's no good excuse not to protect people's health while still providing a great sport. None. Fans can complain all they want, but the game is still the game and the competition remains the same.

The game won't cease to interest me because there's less concussions and people seizing in the shower afterwards.

I had the opposite view point until I read your post and you're right about it the game is still great and nothing changes except player's chance at better health in the long run. I do, however, prefer my favorite player to do their seizing in the cold tubs.

 

[bklyn1028]

It is a dangerous sport, and they get paid to play it, they know the consequences....HOWEVER, the NFL still has an obligation to protect the players as best they can. This isn't a Death Race movie where no one cares about a fellow human being. Cautions have to be met and tried.

And Pulleeezzeeeee.....those of you who say you'll put your season tickets on sale, or will now watch another sport, who you kidding....you'll watch it the way you've been watching it all these years.

It's still the best spectator sport in the world, and always will be.

Get your popcorn ready!

 

[Reality]

The only way this rule will impact the game will be if the penalty includes loss of down as well.

Think about it .. it's 3rd or 4th down late in the game, a running back breaks one outside and needs 3-4 more yards beyond where the defensive players are setting up for a tackle. He has a choice, get tackled and turn the ball over via punt or on downs, or plow through head first hoping to get a first down.

So he lowers his head and fights for a first down. If he fails to get it and they throw a flag, the defense will decline the penalty. If he gets the first down, the defense will take the penalty and they get another shot at the first down. However, if he keeps his head up and doesn't get the first down, they punt or turn the ball over on downs if it was 4th down on the play. Of course all of this is assuming the refs throw a flag which isn't a given.

On the surface and in the media, it seems like it will have an impact. In reality, it will help reduce some head first collisions early in the game. However, late in the game, it will not be a factor beyond taking first downs away and giving the offense a second chance, just a little further back.

/reality

 

[koolaid]

I hate this rule change. The NFL has been getting harder and harder to watch for the last decade. Constant pass interference penalties, subjective holding calls, quarterbacks taking dives, commercials every few minutes... the list goes on and on.

Ive spent a lot of time and energy watching the NFL but those days are done. I prefer college football at this point anyways.