New Rules

[red]

NfL finally made some good decisions


the tuck rule is gone

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/the-tuck-rule-is-no-more/

also schwartz rule has passed. they will still review a play if the coach throws the red flag when the refs were already going to review it.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/nfl-passes-jim-schwartz-rule/

and running backs are no longer allowed to lead with the crown of their helmets when they are outside of the tackle box. not my favorite rule, but its only fair that if defenders can't lead with their helmets, then offensive players shouldn't be able to either.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/helmet-rule-passes/

[pbmax]

I agree about getting away from using that head as a weapon for the offense, but simply having the rule is going to make it a cluster****. Its going to be hard to call and it will make going to the ground with control of the ball look like a wooden puzzle when they get done with it.

Also, not certain but I don't think the D is limited in using its head to tackle a runner. Defenders are limited by the defenseless player rules, which rarely apply to a RB.

Tom Pelissero asked Mark Murphy (I think Murphy because Packer beat guys were talking to him too) and asked him what if both players lower their head? Murphy had no answer.

[smuggler]

Defensive players are currently allowed to tackle helmet first, as long as there is no passing player or receiving player involved. So, the answer is: 15 yard penalty on the offense.

Unless they expanded the helmet-2-helmet protections in the new rule changes, and you just missed it.

[pbmax]

Defensive players are currently allowed to tackle helmet first, as long as there is no passing player or receiving player involved. So, the answer is: 15 yard penalty on the offense.

Unless they expanded the helmet-2-helmet protections in the new rule changes, and you just missed it.

Not sure about that. I haven't seen the text of the rule change nor watched the videos of the explanations, but there are already rules on the books about leading with the head and the crown of the helmet and that precedes the defenseless player rule.

What isn't clear is if the defense is still allowed to hit the O player in the helmet. Or what happens when they BOTH change position and strike helmet to something.

[smuggler]

Oh really? Somebody should tell that Patriots RB who got aced in the playoff game this past January, that there's a penalty for what happened to his face/head/brain.

Unless it's new in 2013, it's not yet a rule.

[pbmax]

New rule on initiating contact with the crown of the helmet applies to offense and defense.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/20/new-helmet-use-rule-is-more-narrow-limited-than-believed/

And its a judgement call because the blow must be "forcible" and therefore the calls are not subject to review. Which immediately raises this question, "Official A is partially blocked on tackle but sees RB dip and tattoo a DB that causes him to be knocked backward. He calls hit with crown of helmet. Replay shows that DB was not set and RB caught him perfectly with shoulder and forearm."

And they cannot review that?

[hoosier]

Tom Pelissero asked Mark Murphy (I think Murphy because Packer beat guys were talking to him too) and asked him what if both players lower their head? Murphy had no answer.

That's easy, it's like matter meets anti-matter: they offset in a big way.

[Guiness]

The leading with the crown rule...what a cluster that is going to be to call.

Does the crown have to make contact to be a penalty, or as soon as he lowers his head is it a foul? If it's contact, with what? The defender's helmet, or would hitting an LB in the breadbasket (think A. Greene levitating LBs) be a penalty? And at full speed...the ref has to determine if it was the shoulder pad or helmet that made contact? Is it reviewable?

edit: just saw PB's post...not reviewable. No doubt because of how subjective it is. Can you imagine if offensive holding was reviewable? Oh la la!

[Kiwon]

Let me be humble.....I TOLD YOU SO!!!

The class-action Concussion lawsuit is changing the game....and this case has not even been adjudicated yet! Just imagine if the players win in a big way and the NFL clubs, owners, training staff, etc. are found largely culpable. Katie bar the door....players with other classes of injuries will be forming lines to sue.

The owners are in this thing for money and if they need to indemnify themselves from future potential lawsuits through overreaching rule changes then that's exactly what they will do. It's self-preservation and there is simply too much money on the line.

Clubs with RBs that repeatedly break the lowering your head rule should show no mercy and fine that player. Good thing Jim Taylor and Ironhead Heyward played in the eras in which they did.

[pbmax]

I am just repeating myself at this point.

[KYPack]

Goodell is nuts and needs to go. Fish justified the "no leading with the head" rule by saying the NFL wants to bring the shoulder back into the game. Jeff, if you lead with your shoulder, your head will be in pretty close proximity to your shoulder. This will lead to more than just a little confusion on the calls.

[pbmax]

There needs to be a commissioner who is more than the guy who carries around the owner's money box. Checking the lock and looking for burglars does not meet the test of best interests of the game.

[sharpe1027]

This new helmet contact rule may be hard to watch. To be sure, there will be some clear-cut cases where the runner is completely in the clear and simply spears a guy; however, there is a lot of contact that occurs during a play. Consider:

1) The runner has a defender trying to drag him down. Is it a penalty if the runner's head dips as he is going down and he ends up with his helmet in a defenders chest? Does the referee need to determine how much is due to the tackler and how much is due to the runner as part of a split second decision?

2) The runner puts his head down as a defender from the side jumps in front of him. Is this a penalty if the runner's helmet hits the defender in the chest? Does the referee need to determine intent?

3) The runner ducks as a defender meets him head on. Is it a penalty if the runner's helmet hits the defender in the chest, even though the violence of the hit is mostly due to the defender's momentum?

I really hope they limit it to clear-cut cases where it looks like intentional spearing. Otherwise, it might muck up the game badly.

[Kiwon]

PENALTY on Earl Campbell!!!!

And listen to the barbarian announcer, Vin Scully, a former player, Jim Brown, and a coach, George Allen doing commentary. They are actually praising the unnecessary violence!! What complete animals!

Somebody should sue somebody. Who's got the deepest pockets?

LB Isiah Robertson should go after the NFL and the then-owners for not putting in the 2013 rule 40 years ago. There was an obvious conspiracy and disregard for players' safety. NBC Sports should be named for encouraging the violence. Heck, throw NFL Films in there as well. They both glorified HOFer Campbell and thus encouraged others to copy-cat his illegal running style.

Vin Scully should be publicly shamed. It doesn't matter that he's 85 years old. He's old and white so that's two strikes against him. Jim Brown is Black and cool. He was a rebel and dated white chicks way back when. He's golden.

George Allen is dead. He can be trashed anytime. Besides being white, he coached a team called the 'Redskins'. What's that tell you about his concern for the physical AND emotional health of others?

Further, the NFL should be pro-active and avoid future lawsuits by implementing a diversity mandate which requires each team to maintain two certified-LGBT athletes on their roster at all times. The discrimination and injustice HAS TO STOP! Things must be done fairly and include everyone. You brutes!

[pbmax]

snip

...lot's of bile and anger ...

end snip

Do you think a RB using his head, and head only, to plow through a defender should continue to be allowed?