The NFL is cracking down on players that lead with their helmet to tackle the opposing player. This comes after a week of huge helmet to helmet hits. Especially from the Falcons v. Eagles game last Sunday. If you haven't already seen it all over the news and ESPN, Desean Jackson(Eagles WR) got virtually annihilated by Dunta Robinson(Falcons CB). Here's a pretty good look at it.
So the NFL has, first of all, fined Robinson $50,000 (James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers also got a hefty fine of $75,000, because of the hit on Mohamed Massaquoi). Second, the NFL is throwing out a warning to all the players that if they do indeed tackle helmet to helmet, there we be suspensions. And third, officials now have the ability to eject players from a game if it occurs.
The Rule: ARTICLE 3. a. No player shall initiate contact and target an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul.
b. No player shall initiate contact and target a defenseless opponent above the shoulders. When in question, it is a foul. (Refer to Points of Emphasis on FR-9 for a description of “Defenseless Player.”)
b. No player shall initiate contact and target a defenseless opponent above the shoulders. When in question, it is a foul. (Refer to Points of Emphasis on FR-9 for a description of “Defenseless Player.”)
A good question now is how do we prevent the players from practically vegetating each other?
Considering he didn't play with one back in the day, Joe Paterno has a pretty good hypothesis: No face mask, no problems. He states, "It's a weapon, guys are fearless." Maybe hes right. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't disperse of the face mask. Maybe it will make those guys out there who do think they are invincible think twice before laying the smack down on a guy. But then again, this is America, and we do love great entertainment, huge hits, big tits, and injuries.
