NFL reverts to flag football (rule changes)

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80f6c090&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true

 

You can't throw a blindside block with helmet, forearm, or shoulder... That doesn't leave much. I guess you can chest bump him or maybe drop-kick him. Maybe just ask him not to tackle your ball carrier?

Also, I dont understand the reasoning behind the limits on "blocking wedge" on returns and number of people for onside kicks.

 

I can almost understand the reactionary "Brady rule" (FFS) but what the fuck was wrong with kickoffs?

 

Pussification of football. The same thing has happened to NASCAR in an effort to protect drivers (i.e. restrictor plates). The indoctrination of a lot of new safety rules may have good intentions, but an unsurpassed boredom level for fans is what has culminated in return. Even lifelong, hardnose fans will tell you that so many NASCAR races have become little more than 43 rednecks driving around in a circle for three hours. It's like watching turtles frig at times.

As for the NFL, there were few safety rules in place in the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's specifically for quarterbacks. Greats such as Y.A. Tittle, Johnny Unitas, and Roger Staubach seemed to weather the storm quite well sans the quarterback safety rules, albeit they did sustain injuries during their career. In their eyes, enduring a brutal hit (the type that is now deemed illegal) was part of the cost they had to pay en route to a potential championship. They succeeded. They were a tougher breed than the prima donnas of this era, IMHO. Not more talented, but tougher.

On the other end of the spectrum, did any of youse guys ever see Dick Butkus hit a scrambling quarterback such as Fran Tarkenton? He would pick them up and drive them into the ground, falling on top of them. Many of his hits would be considered illegal in today's era with the safety rules.

The pussification of football. Let 'em play.

 

Not that I'm a big fan of these "protect the players" rules, and I do think they are going overboard, but the guys that were playing back in the day were smaller, weaker, and slower than the athletic freaks we've got nowadays.

 

I get your point, Paul, and agree with you in the full scheme of things. Even so, as much as I love players like Beason...and other great athletes like Urlacher and Ray Lewis, I think I would rather see those guys coming to lay a hit on me more than Butkus. He was unencumbered by the rules of engagement that a defensive player has to deal with these days.

I personally feel the original "in the grasp" rule implemented to protect quarterbacks really hurt the game. Again, the intention by the NFL was admirable. But, the rule tainted the game of some quarterbacks who had the ability to break out of a defender's grasp and make a great play. It reduced their ability to produce because of the referee's quick whistle.

Seems to me that in spite of all of the safety gear players wear, and the new rules to protect players, there are more serious injuries in the NFL in the modern era than I remember from the "old days." The reason may be exactly what you cited...players these days are bigger, stronger and quicker. I contend that players thirty years ago were tougher, however. They had to be because it took a heckuva lot to draw a personal foul for a hit that was too rough.

I dunno...I sound as if I'm contradicting myself. Maybe the rules are needed, because the speed of the game and the strength of players would result in hits that could cause death or permanent injury. The point I'm trying to make is that, right or wrong, needed or not needed, today's game suffers because of safety rules, and (as in NASCAR) the NFL fans see a poorer event because of them.

 

The rest of the quote said you can't do that stuff to the head or neck. Which makes sense. Not just in general.

 

The biggest problem that I have is with the kickoffs. I can understand wanting to regulate the unnecessary blindside blocks by assholes like Hines Ward, but no more wedge? That's a joke.

 

I guess Moose might fall under that blindsiding too. I've seen him take down defensive ends with that.

Kickoffs will be such a joke. It'll be a matter of a guy like Hester smoking everyone for 20 TDs and everyone else will have crap.

 

You can't do those things and make contact with the players head/neck. You can hit him in the chest like that. I think that will still inflict plenty of paion, and complete the block too. Don't just throw half of the rule out there.