The NFL has changed tackle football forever this year

[Rayman70]

Belichick has been using a tackling technique for several seasons that is a good work around with the CBA limitations on tackling in practice. The tackler must pick up the ball carrier and the only way that is feasible is with the shoulder so that not only protects the head area of the tackler but makes am better tackler.

BTW, since he installed this, his team leads the league in limiting yards after contact. Since when did lowering the helmet make a better tackler? Watch the best tacklers, see them lowering their helmet or keeping their head up so that can better wrap up. Lee is the best tackler on the team, watch him demonstrate textbook tackling, head up, arms wrapping up, ball carrier goes down.

I totally disagree with the premise this hurts the game. Tackling is a skill, a learned skill, ramming one's helmet into a ball carrier is not a skill and is also not effective tackling as the ball carrier can bounce off.

Now, here is a simple exercise to demonstrate the effectiveness of head up tackling, Approach your girlfriend or wife, preferably not both and certainly not at the same time. Put your head down in the ramming position and hug her. Feel awkward? Does she think you are awkward? Well, so do I. Now, put your put head up and attempt the same hug. Now, how was that? She may still think you are an awkward individual but a drop dead hugger.

BTW, you can get this little exercise and many many more in my new book "CouchCoach's Football Applications for the Bedroom". The chapter on "Under Center or the Shotgun?" is a real page turner.

What about the ball carrier that has a style similar to Zeke's? You expect them to change after all this time? Its not realistic.

 

[Rayman70]

It’s a necessary decision to save the sport from lawsuits.

While it’s always been a physical sport we didn’t have the brain damage the sport is delivering now which could threaten the survival and future of the game if the lawsuits persist.

So the quality of the game be damned...oh well...

 

[glimmerman]

This is effectively "the ZEKE rule." His style is to lead with his noggin and power through the defender. I'm worried what this does to his game now...and other RB's like him. ****TY RULE.

We will have to see how they call this. Rule has been in place for RB. But don’t call it inside the hash marks because they usually have there helmet lowered coming through the hole. Maybe they call it after RB hit the second level. If they change the game to much it will further hurt ratings.

 

[Rayman70]

I hear the competition committee will bring up the idea of no tackling at the next meeting. Going to flags instead. They don't want to get sued I been told.

 

[CATCH17]

Are there examples of what is a penalty?


The way I read it they want you standing straight up when tackling.

 

[Rayman70]

We will have to see how they call this. Rule has been in place for RB. But don’t call it inside the hash marks because they usually have there helmet lowered coming through the hole. Maybe they call it after RB hit the second level. If they change the game to much it will further hurt ratings.

I don't have a good feeling at all about this.

 

[Rayman70]

Are there examples of what is a penalty?


The way I read it they want you standing straight up when tackling.

lol.....this is going to be a freakin debacle man.

 

[Diehardblues]

Great post.

@BrassCowboy

That’s right!
We were taught to lead with our shoulder and arms to make a tackle. Yes, we suffered broken limbs ,separated shoulders and broken collar bones but no concussions.

 

[Rayman70]

Are there examples of what is a penalty?


The way I read it they want you standing straight up when tackling.

Its whatever...WHENEVER...and depending which crew is calling the games on how its enforced....its a HUGE gray area IMO.

 

[erod]

If Zeke can't lower his head, than what good is having him on the team?

How can a running back possibly run the football without lowering his head to brace for contact?

This would end football for good in my world.

 

[Aviano90]

This is effectively "the ZEKE rule." His style is to lead with his noggin and power through the defender. I'm worried what this does to his game now...and other RB's like him. ****TY RULE.

We used to refer to it as the Murray rule when ball carriers weren't supposed to be lowering their helmet to initiate contact a few years ago.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...i-get-fined-for-the-helmet-rule-romo-can-pay/

 

[Rayman70]

That’s right. We were taught to lead with our shoulder and arms to make a tackle. Yes, we suffered broken limbs and seperatex shoulders but no concussions.

lordy

 

[CATCH17]

lol.....this is going to be a freakin debacle man.

I'm all for protecting the players but don't kill the sport in the process.


These guys know what they are getting into and the juice is worth the squeeze for them to do it. If they don't like it then don't play. It's that simple.

 

[Rayman70]

If Zeke can't lower his head, than what good is having him on the team?

How can a running back possibly run the football without lowering his head to brace for contact?

This would end football for good in my world.

Thank you my friend...Common sense questions that need answered.

 

[Diehardblues]

So the quality of the game be damned...oh well...

It’s about saving the game against lawsuits.

 

[Rayman70]

I'm all for protecting the players but don't kill the sport in the process.


These guys know what they are getting into and the juice is worth the squeeze for them to do it. If they don't like it then don't play. It's that simple.

Amen!!!!!!!!

 

[Rayman70]

It’s about saving the game against lawsuits.

 

[glimmerman]

I don't have a good feeling at all about this.

Will see. Is the rule passed or proposed?

 

[Diehardblues]

Thank you my friend...Common sense questions that need answered.

He can lower his head as he’s going to the ground but not to fend off a tackler.

Why does this generation insist that the helmet is needed to play football ?

 

[armadillooutlaw]

It is probably for the best. I spoke with Lance Briggs last year and I asked him about CTE. Dude told me sometimes he gets out of bed and starts walking and will forget where he is going and why he got up. Said it will take him a few seconds to remember what he was doing. It really changed my opinion on the whole head-collision issue. I will miss the old physicality but these rule changes are necessary.

I agree. These guys are still people.