NFL may prevent runners from lowering their heads into tacklers

**Saddler The Gr8** · 03-15-2013, 03:36 AM

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...into-tacklers/

did anyone else see this rule? how the hell are running backs supposed to run? this rule is ****in stupid...

**Austeezy** · 03-15-2013, 05:26 AM

I don't know, I actually kind of like this rule they're considering.

I don't know how it would work though, with the runners and the adjustments they would have to make. A lot of this stuff is probably second nature to them, reflexes..

**nessythegreat** · 03-15-2013, 05:34 AM

Are you f#ckin kidding me?... Wow... might as well just say the hell with it and start having QBs, Wideouts and RBs have flags at their sides. Pro football has taken a sad turn, how i wish for the days of 70's, 80's, hell even 90's football. Now, those guys were TRUE football players.

**Austeezy** · 03-15-2013, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by nessythegreat

Are you f#ckin kidding me?... Wow... might as well just say the hell with it and start having QBs, Wideouts and RBs have flags at their sides. Pro football has taken a sad turn, how i wish for the days of 70's, 80's, hell even 90's football. Now, those guys were TRUE football players.

I feel sorry for a great deal of those TRUE football players for having to live with the brain trauma they endured from playing such an extremely violent and neglectful version of the sport.

**nessythegreat** · 03-15-2013, 07:09 AM

Then dont play the game if you cant deal with the risk/consequences of it.

**tmacsc2** · 03-15-2013, 07:15 AM

Honestly its the right thing to do, as it balances out the leading with the crown of your helmet rule, but a lot of RBs are not going to like this as lowering their should is most likely reflexes and second nature as said above

**Austeezy** · 03-15-2013, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by nessythegreat

Then dont play the game if you cant deal with the risk/consequences of it.

I'm not entirely sure they knew of the real consequences at the time.

Head trauma is like cancer to this league. They know that they won't be around 30 years from now unless they address things now and make a bold culture shift. Player safety is a priority in order to survive. It might not be as entertaining, but it's in the best interest of pretty much everyone.

**Bigdaddyburch** · 03-15-2013, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by nessythegreat

Are you f#ckin kidding me?... Wow... might as well just say the hell with it and start having QBs, Wideouts and RBs have flags at their sides. Pro football has taken a sad turn, how i wish for the days of 70's, 80's, hell even 90's football. Now, those guys were TRUE football players.

So it is of your belief that the NFL and owners can afford the law suits it will endure in the future due to player safety or lack of?

http://www.businessweek.com/articles...r-save-the-nfl

**sep11ie** · 03-15-2013, 07:29 AM

I'm just about done with the NFL if this happens.

**SiteWolf** · 03-15-2013, 07:44 AM

My issue is less about the intent of this rule and more about the potential for inconsistent execution of it...
...a running back makes a great run, but as he's about to be knocked out of bounds, he lowers his shoulder to brace for the hit..but one official might see him as leading with his helmet and, play negated.

**Pinstripe power** · 03-15-2013, 08:09 AM

this is better than calling defensive players for helmet to helmet because the offensive player lowered their head

**Joker117** · 03-15-2013, 08:37 AM

This will lead to a lot of rib injuries ... They should specify and say not to use your helmet as a weapon on D. And not to cause contact purposely on O with helmet FIRST..

Bc RBs run head down first ..heck look at Dickerson when he killed one lbs or his jersey got ripped off... Not always shoulders. And it's not like guys dnt wanna use their shoulders...

**Austeezy** · 03-15-2013, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by SiteWolf

My issue is less about the intent of this rule and more about the potential for inconsistent execution of it...
...a running back makes a great run, but as he's about to be knocked out of bounds, he lowers his shoulder to brace for the hit..but one official might see him as leading with his helmet and, play negated.

Originally Posted by Joker117

This will lead to a lot of rib injuries ... They should specify and say not to use your helmet as a weapon on D. And not to cause contact purposely on O with helmet FIRST..

Bc RBs run head down first ..heck look at Dickerson when he killed one lbs or his jersey got ripped off... Not always shoulders. And it's not like guys dnt wanna use their shoulders...

You both make some good points

**flclfanman** · 03-15-2013, 09:17 AM

I want them to start calling plays against QBs who lower their head into an incoming defender to try to get a bogus Helmet-to-helmet flag.

**NYSPORTS98** · 03-15-2013, 09:21 AM

Anybody who ever played HB knows you lead with shoulders and if you drop your head you risk breaking your neck. It's a common sense rule.

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