New helmet-to-helmet rule...

[MartyFine]

Does anyone want to wager that ISU gets players thrown out left and right while they do not even call this on Texas and OU?

This can't go wrong...

Y! SPORTS

[Isuska]

If this goes through, I would put the O/U for Paul Rhoads Ejection Freak Outs ("PREFOs") at 2 for next season.


How many times did we get called for Targeting last year? Like 3?

[EddieISU]

Boy, now more delays, more reviews, more ejections. What's next, a mandatory soccer game to be played at halftime?

[jbhtexas]

If FB is going to survive as a sport, it's has to change in this regard. The recent medical evidence regarding head injuries is just too overwhelming. And since FB is a billion dollar industry, it will change to survive.

Frankly, this leading-with-the-head thing that tacklers have embraced over the past decade to get on the highlight reels is just plain stupid. If this rule change can discourage that, than go for it.

[agrabes]

If this goes through, I would put the O/U for Paul Rhoads Ejection Freak Outs ("PREFOs") at 2 for next season.


How many times did we get called for Targeting last year? Like 3?

It was at least three. We had one a game there for a while. And of those, I don't remember any being for helmet to helmet contact. It was for hits on "defenseless recievers" who, had they caught the pass, would have been legal to hit.

[intrepid27]

Ejection sounds pretty harsh. Could you imagine a star linebacker getting ejected in the first quarter of a National Championship Game?

Also, I'm guessing like pass interference this will not be a reviewable call. So it's totally on the ref to get it right in real time.

How about a 15 yard penalty and making the player sit out next 5 or 10 defensive plays? I'd support that for a year and see how it works.

[ruxCYtable]

When I was a kid we were taught specifically to not hit helmet-to-helmet. The mantras back then were "get lower than the other guy" and "see what you hit" (i.e. don't go in with your head down.) It seems to me if football goes back to teaching this we can still have our violent and exciting game with fewer injuries. But what the hell do I know?

[PabloDiablo]

When I was a kid we were taught specifically to not hit helmet-to-helmet. The mantras back then were "get lower than the other guy" and "see what you hit" (i.e. don't go in with your head down.) It seems to me if football goes back to teaching this we can still have our violent and exciting game with fewer injuries. But what the hell do I know?

Same here, you were running laps if "speared" someone with your head down. Coaches way of getting it through your head that it was dangerous for you and the other player.

The first time a star player gets the boot for a helmet-to-helmet hit, everyone will lose their minds.

This could not be more correct.

[Clonefan94]

If there is an ejection rule on this, then it needs to be a rewviewable penalty. I really have no problem with kids getting thrown out, for obvious targeting, but I saw a lot of flags thrown when no helmet to helmet contact even happened.

[jbhtexas]

Same here, you were running laps if "speared" someone with your head down. Coaches way of getting it through your head that it was dangerous for you and the other player.

Same here. "Bull Neck" is what I recall the coach calling it...getting your head up and in neck a strong position.

[FDWxMan]

Yeah, proper tackling technique solves a lot of this. But the cheapshot artists won't want to hear it and claim that it will just mean blown ACLs instead.

Well, yeah, because you'll go from one improper tackle to another because you really aren't trying to tackle, you're trying to maim.

And I agree, if they're going to do ejections, then they should review it first, like the elbows thing in basketball.

[CapnCy]

If there is an ejection rule on this, then it needs to be a rewviewable penalty. I really have no problem with kids getting thrown out, for obvious targeting, but I saw a lot of flags thrown when no helmet to helmet contact even happened.

I agree with this. I remember watching a couple games where this was called and with some review it was clear it was a shoulder pad to upper torso type of hit, but the speed of it and such made the flag come out.

[Mr Janny]

If FB is going to survive as a sport, it's has to change in this regard. The recent medical evidence regarding head injuries is just too overwhelming. And since FB is a billion dollar industry, it will change to survive.

Frankly, this leading-with-the-head thing that tacklers have embraced over the past decade to get on the highlight reels is just plain stupid. If this rule change can discourage that, than go for it.

well said. All the folks who like to make the "it's ruining the game" claim, are missing the boat. Football is, and has been a sport that evolves. When grabbing the facemask was made illegal, people complained. When they changed the rules to allow linemen to extend their arms, people complained. Same thing when they changed the way WR/DB interactions are called. Football is still football. The game isn't going anywhere.

[cmjh10]

I never understand why people cant just hit people in the chest/waist like it is supposed to be done. I realize people move up/down, left/right when running, but if you aim for the chest/waist you should be good.

[jdoggivjc]

Generally I am okay with the rule - defenders should not be spearing.

The problem is it seems like half the time in what would ordinarily be a clean tackle for the defender (head up, trying to wrap, etc) it's the offensive player that leads with/drops his head right into the defender - and it's always flagged on the defender. I'm sorry, this needs to be called on offensive players equally because the offensive player is putting himself in a bad position allowing himself to be hit in the head.