Unintended consequence of rule to protect runners? (1 Viewer)

[craxie]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/se...still-attached/

It says a lot about Tolbert’s tenacity that after the protective cover was ripped off his head behind the line of scrimmage on a third-and-1 carry in the first quarter, he continued to spin forward into a crowd of Seattle Seahawks and actually gain enough yardage for a first down. Especially with so much focus on concussions and other head injuries, though, the officials enforced the new rule that the play dies at the spot where the helmet was detached.

“They ripped it off like four times,” said Tolbert, referring to the Seahawks defense. “Even when I tightened up my chin-strap, it came off. It wasn’t like it was just falling off, either. I was trying to break tackles and they were trying to pull it off.”

now you don't have to bring a runner down to stop him, you just have to rip his helmet offisn't this exactly the sort of behavior the league is trying to stop?

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I can't speak to the rest of them, but on that play being quoted about above no one even came near his helmet when it popped off. Guy needs to get his helmet fitted properly.

 

[FavreCo]

I'll tell you this, so far after 3 weeks, I have seen more helmets come off than any full season previously.

 

[craxie]

the other question is: do players actually let up when they see a runner without a helmet?

not that i've noticed so far . . .

 

[MG345]

Yeah, his helmet popped off twice that I saw, with very little contact.

 

[FavreCo]

the other question is: do players actually let up when they see a runner without a helmet?not that i've noticed so far . . .

Well apparently the play is over once a helmet comes off (new rule I didn't know about) so heck year everyone is going for the helmet. Nice rule.

 

[TenTimes]

Near the end of the game I was calling for the Seahawks to just rip off his helmet cause it was taking like 3 guys to take Tolbert down.

I never saw anybody actually grab and pull his helmet off, but then I wouldn't be able to catch something like that at full speed usually, and they weren't mentioning it in the replays.

Also, what's the rule on a defender/blocker losing theirs?

 

[Das Boot]

I'm about 99% sure Andre Johnson intentionally ripped off his defender's helmet after he made an interception.

Really I'm 100% sure, but I'm just allowing a little reasonable doubt.

But really, it's 100%.

No doubt in my mind they are being coached to do this.

 

[renesauz]

Near the end of the game I was calling for the Seahawks to just rip off his helmet cause it was taking like 3 guys to take Tolbert down.

I never saw anybody actually grab and pull his helmet off, but then I wouldn't be able to catch something like that at full speed usually, and they weren't mentioning it in the replays.

Also, what's the rule on a defender/blocker losing theirs?

The rule only applies to the man with the ball.Easy fix if this is true...intentionally ripping a players helmet off is awfully close to a facemask penalty....and should be flagged as such. Even if the helmet isn't ripped off by the actual mask, it's dangerous, unsportsmanlike play.

That said, most of the incidents I've seen seemed far from intentional. I believe in the vast majority of cases it's just a poor fitting helmet.

 

[Cookiemonster]

Don't worry. Soon the NFL will propose a rule change forcing players to cut their hair so helmets will fit once again (for safety, of course).

 

[westbrook36]

i'm pretty sure ripping off a players helmet is a facemask

 

[Duke1948]

I'll tell you this, so far after 3 weeks, I have seen more helmets come off than any full season previously.

the same in college ball as well...not sure what is the deal?