Could the new "Helmet Rule" ruin football?

[#34fan]

 

-Or, make it mostly unwatchable?  See the details on it here.

 

I'm all for player safety, but at some point you have to accept that "full contact" means exactly that.  What's next? -Tying hands?

 

 

[Dr.Sack]

The NFL is trying to get rid of injuries suffered by Ryan Shazier. I think it won’t impact or change the game as players simply won’t be using their helmet to tackle or target other players. 

[quinnearlysghost88]

Players have managed to play the game for decades without launching at opponents head-first like a missile to bring them down. This needed to be curbed a long time ago. 

[ALF]

Roquan Smith deal holdup related to new helmet rule

The Bears and Smith are at odds over the financial protections in the contract should the linebacker be suspended for such a hit. Suspensions allow teams to void guaranteed money in contracts.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000942843/article/roquan-smith-deal-holdup-related-to-new-helmet-rule

[#34fan]

13 minutes ago, Dr.Sack said:

The NFL is trying to get rid of injuries suffered by Ryan Shazier. I think it won’t impact or change the game as players simply won’t be using their helmet to tackle or target other players. 

 

Putting your head down is kind of how your body naturally protects your eyes and vital organs from impact.

 

To me its like trying to tell a shark not to roll its eyes back when it attacks... Eons of natural selection has perfected this reflex... Shazier's injury, as awful as it was, is just

 

another "wrong place, wrong time" event we have to face sometimes... He was trying to hit a moving target, and something went wrong.

[WhoTom]

Over the years, many rules have been implemented in order to protect players from life-threatening injuries. So far, they haven't ruined football - in fact, the NFL is thriving. I doubt that this one will be any different.

 

 

[BobbyC81]

29 minutes ago, Dr.Sack said:

The NFL is trying to get rid of injuries suffered by Ryan Shazier. I think it won’t impact or change the game as players simply won’t be using their helmet to tackle or target other players. 

 

Yeah, if you watch a rugby match, they aren't wearing helmets and tackle without using their heads.   The game is different though as you don't have a safety or linebacker coming at full speed from several yards behind the line.  Still, the NFL players just have to adjust.

 

I think, while helmets and shoulder pads have provided more protection, they have also provided weapons.  A defender without a helmet isn't likely to use his head to tackle.  

[Boatdrinks]

54 minutes ago, #34fan said:

 

Putting your head down is kind of how your body naturally protects your eyes and vital organs from impact.

 

To me its like trying to tell a shark not to roll its eyes back when it attacks... Eons of natural selection has perfected this reflex... Shazier's injury, as awful as it was, is just

 

another "wrong place, wrong time" event we have to face sometimes... He was trying to hit a moving target, and something went wrong.

Iirc, Shaziers injury was a textbook example of how you’re not supposed to tackle. They’ve been coaching the “ new”technique up for years already. Unfortunate injury , but it was entirely avoidable . 

[Fadingpain]

59 minutes ago, #34fan said:

 

Putting your head down is kind of how your body naturally protects your eyes and vital organs from impact.

 

To me its like trying to tell a shark not to roll its eyes back when it attacks... Eons of natural selection has perfected this reflex... Shazier's injury, as awful as it was, is just

 

another "wrong place, wrong time" event we have to face sometimes... He was trying to hit a moving target, and something went wrong.

Couldn't disagree more.

 

The league is attempting to eliminate the classic "using the helmet as a weapon" type of hit which has become in fashion in more recent years.  It is not basic human extinct to launch your head at an opponent.  

 

Whatever happened to proper tackling form being taught as "keep your head up and see the guy you are tackling" ???

 

As long as this rule is sensibly enforced, I don't see a problem with it.

 

 

52 minutes ago, LittleJoeCartwright said:

 

Yeah, if you watch a rugby match, they aren't wearing helmets and tackle without using their heads.   The game is different though as you don't have a safety or linebacker coming at full speed from several yards behind the line.  Still, the NFL players just have to adjust.

 

I think, while helmets and shoulder pads have provided more protection, they have also provided weapons.  A defender without a helmet isn't likely to use his head to tackle.  

Absolutely!  As equipment technology has progressed in the modern era, players have developed a feeling of invincibility, which has led directly to the type of hitting they are now trying to eliminate from the game.

 

The NHL has gone through a similar transformation in the last 20 or 30 years.  What used to be simple, basic padding has been  transformed (in hockey) into body armor.

 

If NFL football was played wearing cleats, shorts, and a t-shirt, this type of hitting would not exist, and Ryan Shazier would still be walking properly and playing in the league.

 

 

 

 

[Foxx]

1 hour ago, #34fan said:

 

Putting your head down is kind of how your body naturally protects your eyes and vital organs from impact.

 

To me its like trying to tell a shark not to roll its eyes back when it attacks... Eons of natural selection has perfected this reflex... Shazier's injury, as awful as it was, is just

 

another "wrong place, wrong time" event we have to face sometimes... He was trying to hit a moving target, and something went wrong.

tackling with your head is about as unnatural a thing as there is. the only reason it is a thing now is because these helmets today protect your head. if there wasn't the helmet/shoulder pad combo equipment to protect the compression of your neck/spine, there is no way in hell these idiots would ever try it.  proper tackling includes putting your shoulder into your opponent and wrapping them up to take them to the ground.

Edited July 29, 2018 by Foxx

[Beast]

Get rid of full face masks and make everyone wear either the single bar or Joe Ferguson face mask.

[RyanC883]

I don't think so.  It's always been illegal but rarely enforced.  Your taught not to lead with your head in middle school.   About time the NFL enforces fundamentals to keep players safe.  

1 hour ago, #34fan said:

 

Putting your head down is kind of how your body naturally protects your eyes and vital organs from impact.

 

To me its like trying to tell a shark not to roll its eyes back when it attacks... Eons of natural selection has perfected this reflex... Shazier's injury, as awful as it was, is just

 

another "wrong place, wrong time" event we have to face sometimes... He was trying to hit a moving target, and something went wrong.

 

putting your head to the side and tacking with your shoulder and wrapping up is much more natural, IMO.  

[Chandler#81]

1 hour ago, #34fan said:

 

Putting your head down is kind of how your body naturally protects your eyes and vital organs from impact.

 

To me its like trying to tell a shark not to roll its eyes back when it attacks... Eons of natural selection has perfected this reflex... Shazier's injury, as awful as it was, is just

 

another "wrong place, wrong time" event we have to face sometimes... He was trying to hit a moving target, and something went wrong.

I can personally attest to this. Suffered the same injury as Shazier, hitting with my crown, separating C3 & C4 vertebrae and pinching my spine. After a lengthy rehab, I walked out of the hospital-albeit with 2 canes and a halo screwed into my head.. 

 

Football has gotten away from ‘old school’ wrap and tackle. They’re getting back to it.

[#34fan]

1 minute ago, RyanC883 said:

 Your taught not to lead with your head in middle school. 

 

Uh... Depends on when you went to middle school, and how deranged your coach was.

 

5 minutes ago, RyanC883 said:

putting your head to the side and tacking with your shoulder and wrapping up is much more natural, IMO.  

 

From what I read about the rule itself, it goes beyond tackling.... It also seems to apply to RB's in full sprint outside the tackle box...  No more putting your head down to bang for a few more yards, I guess...

[RyanC883]

Just now, #34fan said:

 

Uh... Depends on when you went to middle school, and how deranged your coach was.

 

 

From what I read about the rule itself, it goes beyond tackling.... It also seems to apply to RB's in full sprint outside the tackle box...  No more putting your head down to bang for a few more yards, I guess...

 

humm, if it applies to RB's trying to bang for a few more yards that could impact that game for sure.  I'm thinking more Troy Polomeau (sp) flying head-first tackles.   Hopefully does not apply in RB situation, or RB's will have to play more "shifty" like shady.  Days of guys like "The Bus" would be gone.  

 

I thought my middle school coach was deranged in the 90's, but perhaps not as much as others

[#34fan]

7 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

I can personally attest to this. Suffered the same injury as Shazier, hitting with my crown, separating C3 & C4 vertebrae and pinching my spine. After a lengthy rehab, I walked out of the hospital-albeit with 2 canes and a halo screwed into my head.. 

 

Football has gotten away from ‘old school’ wrap and tackle. They’re getting back to it.

 

Sounds awful... What were you trying to bring down?... RB? -WR?

 

2 minutes ago, RyanC883 said:

 

humm, if it applies to RB's trying to bang for a few more yards that could impact that game for sure.  I'm thinking more Troy Polomeau (sp) flying head-first tackles.   Hopefully does not apply in RB situation, or RB's will have to play more "shifty" like shady.  Days of guys like "The Bus" would be gone.  

 

I thought my middle school coach was deranged in the 90's, but perhaps not as much as others

 

80's for me... With a coach that did a couple tours in 'Nam…. Guy's face and neck were bright red year-round... Loved to cuss, too.

[North Buffalo]

9 minutes ago, #34fan said:

 

Sounds awful... What were you trying to bring down?... RB? -WR?

 

 

80's for me... With a coach that did a couple tours in 'Nam…. Guy's face and neck were bright red year-round... Loved to cuss, too.

Did you go to Amherst High School with Mr. Tripp?

Edited July 29, 2018 by North Buffalo

[Chandler#81]

7 minutes ago, #34fan said:

 

Sounds awful... What were you trying to bring down?... RB? -WR?

LB. I was QB and we were working on a gadget play in practice -shotgun inside handoff sweep right. I delay then peel out in the left flat. RB pulls up and throws back across the field to me. Neither of us saw each other til the last split second and I instinctively lowered my head, bracing for impact. Knocked out 2 of my LB’s teeth..

me? a broken neck.

[stuvian]

tackling is instinctive. It's a lttle late to relearn the game by the time you reach the NFL

[#34fan]

20 minutes ago, North Buffalo said:

Did you go to Amherst High School with Mr. Tripp?

 

 Nah, our coach's last name was Murphy... He was a true sadist, though.

Edited July 29, 2018 by #34fan