New NFL "safety" rules

[Hooch]

League owners passed 4 new rules:

— The initial force of a blindside block can’t be delivered by a helmet, forearm or shoulder to an opponent’s head or neck. An illegal blindside block will bring a 15-yard penalty.

— Initial contact to the head of a defenseless receiver also will draw a 15-yard penalty.

— On kickoffs, no blocking wedge of more than two players will be allowed. Again, it will be a 15-yard penalty.

— Also on kickoffs, the kicking team can’t have more than five players bunched together pursuing an onside kick. That will cost a team 5 yards.


The first two are fine, but limiting the wedge? Come on. Special teams WAS the only part of the game they weren't putting skirts on. Why not just start all drives at the 20 from now on so that players wont get hurt?

[Prog]

I agree. I haven't heard anyone getting hurt by the wedge. Run over, maybe.

That last one makes no sense. And, what defines a bunch. 5 yards? 10 yards? Can the receiving team still put 9 guys together to defend?

[Speng]

They just keep sucking the fun out of the game with the rules.

[Prog]

There's also this adjustment.

"Also, defenders who are knocked to the ground no longer can lunge into quarterbacks if the play is still going on. Kansas City safety Bernard Pollard did just that on the hit that ended Tom Brady's season almost before it began, and Pereira placed such plays in the player safety category.

That adjustment was not a rule change and did not require an owners' vote."

And, I still want to know why nobody pointed out that Brady doesn't wear knee pads in his pants that might have given him some protection? I realize that more and more players are removing the leg pads, but then they should be faulted if an injury results from it.

[Prog]

Found the explanation on the onside kick.

"First, at least four players of the kicking team must be on each side of the kicker. Second, at least three players must be lined up outside each inbounds line, including one who must be outside the yard-line number."

[Securb]

There's also this adjustment.

"Also, defenders who are knocked to the ground no longer can lunge into quarterbacks if the play is still going on. Kansas City safety Bernard Pollard did just that on the hit that ended Tom Brady's season almost before it began, and Pereira placed such plays in the player safety category.

That adjustment was not a rule change and did not require an owners' vote."

And, I still want to know why nobody pointed out that Brady doesn't wear knee pads in his pants that might have given him some protection? I realize that more and more players are removing the leg pads, but then they should be faulted if an injury results from it.

Worst rule ever so if I am knocked down at the line of scrimage and the QB is within reach I can't go for him? Bullshit!

[Hooch]

Worst rule ever so if I am knocked down at the line of scrimage and the QB is within reach I can't go for him? Bullshit!

I love how the rule specifically states QBs. They won't need any pads soon, contact with the QB will eventually be illegal.

[Securb]

QB will eventually be illegal.

Why not you can't touch the kickers. Remember when QBs were tough like Bradshaw, Young, Elway.......

[Prog]

Worst rule ever so if I am knocked down at the line of scrimage and the QB is within reach I can't go for him? Bullshit!

And it tells the OL to try and get the defense on the ground. They could fall themselves and if they take the defender with them, he's out of the play.

[Securb]

And it tells the OL to try and get the defense on the ground. They could fall themselves and if they take the defender with them, he's out of the play.

What about all those football drills we did as kids hitting the ground and crawling & rolling in mud. I guess those days are over. More of the Pussification of America.