Cool article on league changes (1 Viewer)

[Sebowski]

http://redskinshogheaven.com/2009/03/nfls-...liminating.html

Imagine this scenario: last play of the Super Bowl, a linebacker comes off the edge, eyes on the quarterback, visions of the Lombardi Trophy in his hands under a shower of confetti, then he slips. He still has a chance to bring down the QB, so he does what he can, and lunges at his target. Sack, game over, a lifetime of hearing coaches and parents telling him " don't stop until you hear the whistle" validated.

But now, that defender, once on the ground, is out. His play is over, not when the whistle blows, but when he hits the ground. Why? The NFL tells us it's for his safety.

That's laughable. If the NFL truly cared about player safety, why would they be serious about extending the regular season by two more games? How does that enhance player safety?

Roger Goodell cites a lack of interest from fans in the preseason as a worthy reason to put the players at risk for 8 more, non-playoff quarters. However, the preseason is a necessary evil. If the plan goes through, then there will be two preseason games. Two games before the regular season starts, hardly enough time for coaching staffs to evalute talent, to find the hidden gems that seem to emerge every August. Rarely do the stars that the NFL wants to protect with their new "safety" rules, play more than a series or two in these exhibitions.

Throw two more games on in January though, and that's when the the limits of safety will be tested. Players already worn down from the previous 16 games, will have to forge into two more three hour tenderizing sessions. How will that turn out?

The playoffs will become more watered down than a holiday punch at a Mormon party. Unless you are one of the teams that earns a first round bye, you're most likely going to be marching into battle with a wounded, and exhausted sqaud. And for what? So the NFL can sell more adversting space, so the owners can sell more tickets and $10 Budweisers, for more green.

We should just call the NFL lawmakers the Wu Tang Clan, because they adhere to the philosophy of C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)

Going back to the preseason, nobody likes it. Who wants to see the Redskins without Clinton Portis and Santana Moss? Who wants to watch the Vikings without Adrian Peterson? Nobody. But is it not better to go without stars like that in the preseason, than in the playoffs? With the addition of more games, that's a very real possibility.

What is most ironic about these rule changes , and season extending talk is a player like Hines Ward. One day, it's very possible that he'll be inducted into the Hall of Fame. On that day, while they show his career highlight film on the projector screen, the majority of clips will be of Hines and his blindiside batterings. The same ones that the league just outlawed!

With these new rules, th NFL spits on the busts of players like Ronnie Lott, Jack Tatum, Lawrence Taylor, and all the other legends who turned the brutality of the sport into something brilliant. These new rules ensure that the great defenders of today, players like Troy Polamalu, like Ray Lewis, like the late Sean Taylor, are playing with one hand behind their back.

The all out style of play that makes the NFL the most popular sport in the world, is being villified, and banished. It's a violent sport. But it's honest. At least it's honest when everyone is playing by the same rules, and going the same speed.

But when some rules are different for certain players, the game loses it's truthfulness.

When that linebacker is lying on the ground, fighting every urge to lunge and bring down the man with the ball, like he was taught, but doesn't because he's been tagged out by the grass, then we're watching a fake spectacle not an honest competition.

We'll be watching a lie. A lie as big as the lie that the NFL really cares about it' players safety.

 

[Adebisi]

I didn't really care for this article.

First, it's not as simple as a defensive player slipping, falling, and then immediately being out of the play, and it was ridiculous for the author to portray the new rule that way.

Second, I could be wrong here, but I don't think the NFL is claiming that this rule is to protect the defensive player - I've heard it referenced as "The Brady Rule." It's to protect offensive players' knees (quarterbacks in particular), not defensive players.

Third, from everything I've read, established NFL players hate preseason games as much as anyone else, so I doubt they'll have any problem with giving them up. And if regular season games are added to the schedule, the player's union would have to approve it.

Fourth, the Wu-Tang Clan reference was silly, out of place, and outdated. And this comes from someone who has had "Enter the 36 Chambers" in his rotation since its release.

Fifth, I think it is melodramatic and over the top to say that the new rule changes disrespect players from the past. Former players may not agree with the rule changes, but I doubt very much that they feel disrespected by them.

Sixth, I have no idea why the author felt the need to bring up Sean Taylor (may he rest in peace).

Seventh, of course the NFL cares about their players' safety, if only because there is money involved. If the owners don't care on moral grounds, then they certainly care on financial grounds. It is ridiculous to argue otherwise, especially after claiming that all the owners care about is money.

 

[Adebisi]

Its a big giant Patriot bag of poop. Most everyone is completely aware of it.How about this? If a QB has the ball and there is player on the ground by his feet.... its illegal to throw the ball.For his OWN safety, he needs to run and get clearance before attempting a pass that might hurt him.

I don't necessarily agree with the rule, but the NFL is a more marketable product when its stars, its quarterbacks in particular, are in the game rather than on the sidelines.However, given the events of last season, I can understand how a Steelers fan, in particular, would oppose this rule.

 

[drunkenmonks]

I agree with the rule but it should be left to ref's judgement.

Does it apply to the offense as well?I remember a cheap block by Gosder Cherilus on Jarred Allan last year.

 

[crowe1130]

Not crazy about the article itself but, in general, I think the league's new rules continue to make the game less enjoyable. The post-game fines last year were plain silly. I mean, players were getting fined for hits - not because they were illegal, but because they "didn't have to hit them that hard." Seriously?

I've been a huge NFL fan my whole life, but this isn't the same league I fell in love with. It seems to be heading more in the wrong direction with each year's new rule changes.

 

[Godsbrother]

If they really want to protect the QB they should have him wear a bright optic yellow uniform and institute a 2-hand tag rule when he is in the pocket. Bringing a QB to the ground when he is in the pocket would be a 15-yard penalty, $25,000 fine and game ejection.

Sure it would make the game boring but that is a small price to pay to ensure the health of Tom Brady.

 

[SuperJohn96]

Let's just put red shirts on everyone and velcro flags to everyone's hips already.

 

[puckalicious]

Let's just put red shirts on everyone and velcro flags to everyone's hips already.

Maybe we should go back to the days of leather (or no) helmets, and players dieing on the field to satisfy your blood lust.It seems, in the author's view, that the only way the NFL could NOT appear hypocritical in terms of player safety is to reduce the schedule to 0 games. Hey if it's all about safety then don't play the game right? Anything more is just plain hypocritical. </devilsadvocate>Maybe the naysayers are missing the actual rule change only making it illegal to hit the helmet of the blindsided player. The blindside hit is still legal, just don't smash the poor dude in the head. Why is this a bad thing?