To hell with the stiff-arm rule...

[sillycon]

well i don't know if there rule is legit because i've never heard anything like this before. I know when they update the rules this year they didn't say anything about this they were going to change the rules but they never did.

It's always been against the rules but never really enforced since it generally didn't cause damage (except to the defender's ego). However, I remember Kellen Winslow Sr. getting flagged for it eons ago... and that's because he basically threw a punch rather than using the garden variety stiff arm. That I can see being enforced... A regular stiff arm to the helmet? I hope the officials turn a blind eye to it....

 

[jobberone]

This will hurt MB is they tightly enforce this rule. I haven't been against much of the rule changes but this one seems a little excessive. But no use getting upset about it until it does become a problem. No telling what they will do with this and there will be growing pains for the officials, teams and players.

 

[JPostSam]

a good stiff-arm to the chest or even to the side of the helmet is still A-OK.

what you don't want is to see a guy seriously hurt his neck because someone punched him in the face.

 

[gazmc_06]

This is bullsh*t, the horse-collar I can understand, but this is just stupid. RB's can get smacked up by defensive players, but can't push them away?

 

[juck]

Wait,Dont NFL players wear helmets?

 

[Boyzmamacita]

The Emmitt Smith Rule (removing helmet)
The Michael Irvin Rule (pushing off)
The Erik Williams Rule (hands to the face, I think)
The Roy Williams Rule (horse collar)
The Marion Barber Rule (stiff arm)

Can anyone think of any more? Funny how these things are okay until a Cowboy becomes good at it.

 

[DallasEast]

The Emmitt Smith Rule (removing helmet)
The Michael Irvin Rule (pushing off)
The Erik Williams Rule (hands to the face, I think)
The Roy Williams Rule (horse collar)
The Marion Barber Rule (stiff arm)

Can anyone think of any more? Funny how these things are okay until a Cowboy becomes good at it.

Troy Aikman Rule (blow to the quarterback's helmet)

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Troy Aikman Rule (blow to the quarterback's helmet)

At least that was to help one of our players (and all QBs).

 

[dooomsday]

Troy Aikman Rule (blow to the quarterback's helmet)

The Nate Newton Rule: Puff Puff Give:cop:

 

[ChrisCanty99]

The Deion Sanders rule. His deal with Dallas in 1995 brought about changes to the way bonuses and salary increases worked. Not sexy, but that's one. Wasn't Deion also flagged/fined for highstepping too early?

Oh, and the Barry Switzer rule- coaches were always allowed to carry handguns in airports, oh, wait, that's not an NFL rule... LOL

 

[Boyzmamacita]

It's amazing how the Lambeau Leap is OK, but a Cowboy removing his helmet makes the league office go crazy. Diving into the stands is a recipe for disaster. It's just a matter of time before a fan punches a player or vice versa. But removing your helmet while on the field? Now that's a no-no!

 

[STAR GAZER]

It's amazing how the Lambeau Leap is OK, but a Cowboy removing his helmet makes the league office go crazy. Diving into the stands is a recipe for disaster. It's just a matter of time before a fan punches a player or vice versa. But removing your helmet while on the field? Now that's a no-no!

This is one that gets to me.

There needs to be more consistency in the rules. Having rules that penalize behavioral trends can get very murky at times, and give the impression that one person or team, is being targeted by the officials.

It discredits the rules that are designed to create a level playing field, and as a result undermines the credibility of the game.

They really need to focus on cleaning this up, and spend less time trying to be parental figures to grown men.

 

[StylisticS]

It's amazing how the Lambeau Leap is OK, but a Cowboy removing his helmet makes the league office go crazy. Diving into the stands is a recipe for disaster. It's just a matter of time before a fan punches a player or vice versa. But removing your helmet while on the field? Now that's a no-no!

Didn't Chad Johnson do it in Cleveland last season and got beer thrown and other objects thrown at him. I do see the double standard the league is using.

I can't wait until the next Cowboy rule. Any guesses on what that may be?

 

[firehawk350]

Pushing off was a rule before Irvin came along. He just was good at doing it and not get caught (I believe he said he just never extended his arm fully or just used his elbow).

And as already mentioned, it was already against the rules (hands to the face) to stiff arm a defender's facemask. The competition commitee just said they need to enforce it.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

what a load MB-III is ......wow, can you imagine being hit by this guy?

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm sure Barber will adjust to the rules. I have always found the rule a bit strange to begin with. A defender touches a facemask and he gets called, a RB slams his hand into the facemask of the defender and there is no call.

 

[burmafrd]

I guess he can aim his hand for the top of the helmet or the lip and its OK. As long as he does not impact the face mask. Still that is definitly something he now has to consider.

 

[WoodysGirl]

The stiff arm isn't being banned. There isn't a new rule. The hands to the face rule for offensive players is now a point of emphasis. The "punching-style" and head slaps Barber was using last year would now be called.

 

[skinsscalper]

I remember seeing Emmitt called for a facemask while using a stiff arm. I also remember him breaking his hand while using one on a long TD run vs Minnesota I think.


Anyway, while I love Barber's stiff arm, I've often cringed in anticipation of a pentalty call while he was throwing what sometimes could be called a punch. I really appreciate his fire when he runs but knew it was only a matter of time until the league realized what he was doing. A stiff arm, in my opinion, was designed to keep a defensive player at arms length and not as a weapon to "throw off a player's equilibrium".

I remember the Emmitt stiff arm. It was in the 94 Championship game we lost to the 9ers. Emmitt grabbed the defenders face mask and steered him way out of bounds. I loved it because it showed Emmitt's fire, but it was definitely a penalty. Emmitt grabbed the facemask and tried fuse the back of the guy's head to his glutes. LOL.

 

[Vtwin]

I can't wait until the next Cowboy rule. Any guesses on what that may be?

The Demarcus Ware rule.The QB must have complete control of the ball and completed a minumum of three steps in his drop back before the defensive lineman can advance past the line of scrimmage.They did some testing of this rule last season.