Stopping helmet-to-helmet hits.

[Bob Sacamano]

Remove the facemasks?

Joe Paterno, Troy Aikman and head specialists think it's a good idea. They pretty much agree that facemasks and the increased protection it gives players encourages head shots.

Your thoughts?

 

[Kangaroo]

Remove the facemasks?

Joe Paterno, Troy Aikman and head specialists think it's a good idea. They pretty much agree that facemasks and the increased protection it gives players encourages head shots.

Your thoughts?

Stupid

 

[Hoofbite]

I don't think players are leading face first as it is.

Plus, they'd all look like Lloyd Christmas out there.

If you don't want people to use the top of the helmet, removing some from the face of it seems pretty pointless.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Remove the facemasks?

Joe Paterno, Troy Aikman and head specialists think it's a good idea. They pretty much agree that facemasks and the increased protection it gives players encourages head shots.

Your thoughts?

Leather helmets would help.

 

[SDogo]

I got an idea.

Just play the game like they did before all these millionares became pansies and problem is solved.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

I got an idea.

Just play the game like they did before all these millionares became pansies and problem is solved.

Yeah, nevermind the fact that the athletes are twice as fast now, and guys are either dying in their 40s or are basically vegetables by their 60s because of all the head trauma they suffered.

Big hits are good and all, but both of the shots Harrison took during that game against the Browns were blatant shots to the head, and it has no place in any sport.

If you're the kind of person who thinks we should just let guys get constant devastating brain trauma for your entertainment, you're a piece of ****, plain and simple.

 

[Bill Wooten]

Maybe offenses should adjust and not put their WRs in position to get hit like this. Not saying it would eliminate all of the hits, but if you don't want to get jacked up, don't run across the middle in front of a safety or LB.

I remember when Darren Woodson knocked that guy out for Seattle. Everyone was blaming Woodson, but I blame Holmgren for sending that guy into a pattern right in front of a safety that he knew would knock him into next week. It is a dangerous area to run a route and not everyone can handle it. That is part of the beauty of the game. Seeing guys that have the stones to run those routes knowing they could get knocked out and seeing the defenders stake their claim to that area of the field.

I understand the desire to protect the players, but this change is just going create another disadvantage for the defense.

Guys like Desean Jackson are fun to watch, but at his size, it is just a matter of time before he runs into someone much bigger than he is and he's going to get knocked out. You can change all the rules you want, but it is still going to happen.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

Helmet to helmet hits are not about running across the middle. Guys like Harrison go out of their way to jack a guy in his head, and the risk of a very bad concussion and subsequent brain trauma is just too high.

Remember the hit that basically ended Aikman's career?

Guys nowadays are taking those way too often, and the NFL isn't looking to see somebody turned into a vegetable at 25.

 

[Bill Wooten]

Helmet to helmet hits are not about running across the middle. Guys like Harrison go out of their way to jack a guy in his head, and the risk of a very bad concussion and subsequent brain trauma is just too high.

Remember the hit that basically ended Aikman's career?

Guys nowadays are taking those way too often, and the NFL isn't looking to see somebody turned into a vegetable at 25.

Didn't say it would eliminate all of them.

They have done a lot to eliminate the helmet to helmet on QBs.

I totally agree that the flagrant spearing is a problem. But I see too many safeties and DBs getting called for this when it isn't flagrant. It is just a split second play and they are defending their area of the field. There are some that go for the kill shot (Chuck Cecil comes to mind) and others that are making a big hit, but not launching themselves at the receiver (Darren Woodson's hit comes to mind).

I guarantee you that once we see DBs hesitating and waiting for a receiver to catch the ball and come down with it before making contact that we will see OC's around the league start game planning around that weakness in the defense and use it to their advantage.

 

[bracey]

Two things the NFL needs to do.

1. Narrow this rule a bit. The hit on DeSean Jackson was perfectly legit. A should to chest hit that was violent because Jackson didn't see it coming. I can see why the refs threw the flag during live play, but the fine was bogus. The video the NFL sent out to players used this play as an example, they use a hit on Steve Smith as an example of a legal hit that was also a shoulder to chest hit. Smith was just able to see it coming and absorb some of it. Players aren't going to know what to do. Make the rule clearly specify players making initial contact to a "defenseless" (man I hate that description) receiver's helmet illegal.

2. Remove the 5 yard illegal contact penalty. The combination of this rule, the rules to protect QBs, and now this rule have swung things way too far in the offenses direction. Allow DBs to bump receivers off their routes and play tighter coverage. Make WRs earn being open. As a minor side benefit, you'll see less of these kill shots because more man coverage will be utilized.