NFL's new safety policy

Originally Posted by Sauer Grapes

I have to disagree. Both of Harrison's were helmet to helmet. I know it's hard to control your aim when things happen so fast, but both of his hits were illegal before the new "safety policy." The one from the patriots was also helmet to helmet.

I do agree that the one on Jackson was a legal, albeit extremely hard, hit. I don't think the guy on the falcons should have been fined. It was a clean hit.

There was definately helmet to helmet on the cribbs hit and as soon as it happened I knew it was a dewsy. But both were legal hits. Cribs was not defensless he jumped head foward into a group of guys tackling him. One LB wrapped him up while Harrison went in for a waist high hit, that became a incidental head hit. The reciever hit was a lesson learned for 2 rookies. Neither play was a penalty. Both players walked off the field.

[yourchoice]

Originally Posted by Steelergar

There was definately helmet to helmet on the cribbs hit and as soon as it happened I knew it was a dewsy. But both were legal hits. Cribs was not defensless he jumped head foward into a group of guys tackling him. One LB wrapped him up while Harrison went in for a waist high hit, that became a incidental head hit. The reciever hit was a lesson learned for 2 rookies. Neither play was a penalty. Both players walked off the field.

IMHO, I don't think the fact that the "players walked off the field" should weigh into the decision if a player should be disciplined. Neither should if it was called a penalty. There are plenty of instances in a lot of sports where a call wasn't made on the field, but fines/suspensions are handed down after the fact.

When I learned how to play, there were two key components to tackling, keep your head up and wrap your arms. Harrison did neither on either play (I'm talking about Cribbs and Massaquoi (sp?), don't know that I've seen the hit on whatever rookie you're talking about).

[massphatness]

Originally Posted by Steelergar

incidental head hit

My understanding of the rule is that intent plays no role. Helmet to helmet hits are illegal irrespective if the player didn't mean to initiate the contact but "incidentally" did so. These kinds of hits have always been illegal, but the NFL is now going to enforce the rule. The policy is not new. The implementation is all that is changing.

The question for me was articulated very clearly on a sports talk radio show this morning: where do I want to see the players I root for -- on the field or on the sidelines in street clothes?

Originally Posted by massphatness

My understanding of the rule is that intent plays no role. Helmet to helmet hits are illegal irrespective if the player didn't mean to initiate the contact but "incidentally" did so. These kinds of hits have always been illegal, but the NFL is now going to enforce the rule. The policy is not new. The implementation is all that is changing.

The question for me was articulated very clearly on a sports talk radio show this morning: where do I want to see the players I root for -- on the field or on the sidelines in street clothes?

From my understanding earhole hits are legal on running backs because they are not defensless. which is why their is no flag on that play. Cribbs is one of the fastest players in the league. Looking at it again Harrison would of hit Cribbs dead on but Cribbs slowed down and fell foward at the last second. And having a 280lb DE fall on him probably didn't help.

[357]

less padding is the way to go, leather helmets, etc. Look at college hockey, they are forced to wear a full cage helmet and the sticks are always up and hitting each other in the face/head. Back in the NHL before helmets were a forced issue, you rarely saw that. Now that helmets are forced and many wear a plexi visor, the same crap is cropping up in the NHL. I think in these cases, less is more. A guy is not going to knowingly sacrifice his own head/life to make a highlight reel on SportsCenter. Even though that is what they are doing, they believe (falsely) that they are invincible.

[Parshooter]

What needs to happen is for these defensive players to get rid of the "thug mentality" and get back to basic tackling, with arms and shoulder pads, to the torso. Look back during the days of Butkus and Singletary. Those guys hit just as hard but did it the correct way.
Steelergar, glad you're not looking at this through black/gold colored glasses

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Parshooter

What needs to happen is for these defensive players to get rid of the "thug mentality" and get back to basic tackling, with arms and shoulder pads, to the torso. Look back during the days of Butkus and Singletary. Those guys hit just as hard but did it the correct way.
Steelergar, glad you're not looking at this through black/gold colored glasses

Bravo, Marc.
You hit the nail on the head.
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by Parshooter

What needs to happen is for these defensive players to get rid of the "thug mentality" and get back to basic tackling, with arms and shoulder pads, to the torso. Look back during the days of Butkus and Singletary. Those guys hit just as hard but did it the correct way.
Steelergar, glad you're not looking at this through black/gold colored glasses

Read the whole thing, and have one specific comment on this all...
Look at the Vikings players, and specifically Antoine Winfield. He's widely considered to be the best tackling cornerback in the league. His technique is "perfect", and he routinely brings down players much bigger than he is on his own. The effort and technique that he uses seem to spread through the team (when they can actually tackle someone). I don't see a lot of head down, launching plays from them, though Ray Edwards has a penchant for trying to leap blockers to get to the QB. I think in general, they all use good technique, as to teams like the Ravens (from what I've seen). They hit hard, but cleanly, and with good technique (Ray Lewis).

Going in leading with your helmet and your head down is a good way for YOU to end up with a concussion, at the least, and potentially in a wheelchair (it has happened, and will continue to happen).

[gvarsity]

Originally Posted by Wanger

Read the whole thing, and have one specific comment on this all...
Look at the Vikings players, and specifically Antoine Winfield. He's widely considered to be the best tackling cornerback in the league. His technique is "perfect", and he routinely brings down players much bigger than he is on his own. The effort and technique that he uses seem to spread through the team (when they can actually tackle someone). I don't see a lot of head down, launching plays from them, though Ray Edwards has a penchant for trying to leap blockers to get to the QB. I think in general, they all use good technique, as to teams like the Ravens (from what I've seen). They hit hard, but cleanly, and with good technique (Ray Lewis).

Going in leading with your helmet and your head down is a good way for YOU to end up with a concussion, at the least, and potentially in a wheelchair (it has happened, and will continue to happen).

I would also suggest that nobody thinks that the Vikings defense is soft because the wrap tackle and bring players to the ground. Antoine Winfield is known both as a sure tackler but also a hard physical tackler.

Originally Posted by Parshooter

Originally Posted by Parshooter View Post
What needs to happen is for these defensive players to get rid of the "thug mentality" and get back to basic tackling, with arms and shoulder pads, to the torso. Look back during the days of Butkus and Singletary. Those guys hit just as hard but did it the correct way.
Steelergar, glad you're not looking at this through black/gold colored glasses

Singletary maybe as he was a pretty stand up guy and hard player but Butkus was dirty as hell and that is what made him a star. In that period they were all dirty. He had a head slap and a clothesline and spear in his arsenal as much or more than anyone of his generation that's why people were scared of him. Going back in NFL history we are looking at significantly more violent, reckless and dangerous play rather than basic fundamental tackling.

[Mikey202]

If I was Harrison I would put back $1 million for fines, and just go play. As a fan of the game, I have no problem with the hits. These guys are so much faster and stronger than years ago. I don't want anyone to get crippled or killed. These guys are paid Millions to play, and I think it's more about liability, rather than a safety issue, as far as the NFL is concerned.

I mean these guys are told to jack people up coming across the middle of the field, and have the attitude of punishing someone, from day 1. Look at Ed McCaffrey who used to play for Denver. That's what he was known for, he got jacked-up all the time, he broke his leg once. ESPN rated him as the player most likely to take a bad hit on the field.

I hope it doesn't get to the point of people tackling like Dion Sanders,(ESPN rated him as the person most likely NOT to take or put a hit on someone.)
It's football , it's a violent sport. I'm glad I have Harrison playing for my Steelers.