Could you ever give up the Panthers?

[rayzor]

The players might hate the new rules now but they will be thankful when they aren't slurring and/or immobile when they are 55 years old.

100% agreed.

no reason to shorten your lifespan and/or make the last 30-40 years of your life nothing but pain and frustration because of the numerous brain injuries (concussions) and have your body destroyed just so fans could be happy for 5 years of your life. it's just a game and it's not worth it, regardless of the money involved.

[GritsRgreat]

If they don't wonna deal with the ramifications then don't play.

[Chaos]

Why is there even a YES option on this poll? WTF?

[Happy Panther]

I'm less worried about the pussy calls than about how slow the game has become. With the addition of the automatic touchdown review and the fact that the refs seem more deliberate this year*, the game is unwatchable at parts.

*ref reviews the call, announces the result, places ball down to start play, blows whistle because there is an extra second on the clock, makes another announcement, places ball down, 1 play happens, team calls timeout, another play happens, TV timeout....

[Marguide]

I'm less worried about the pussy calls than about how slow the game has become. With the addition of the automatic touchdown review and the fact that the refs seem more deliberate this year*, the game is unwatchable at parts.

*ref reviews the call, announces the result, places ball down to start play, blows whistle because there is an extra second on the clock, makes another announcement, places ball down, 1 play happens, team calls timeout, another play happens, TV timeout....

Exactly. It has become painful.

Everyone, or nearly everyone, wants to protect the players. Somehow, they have to come up with clearer definitions for some of these penalties to take the subjectiveness out of it.

Another alternative is to make the penalties so severe that teams will not tolerate them, and coach proper technique a bit more thoroughly.

For example, it is ridiculous that such a high percentage of kicks result in illegal blocks. If a rule is constantly broken, the system isn't working. Hell, make it a 25 yard penalty if you have to, and get that nonsense out of the game. If we continue the way we are, games will be going 4 hours, and that is too long.

[Toundra]

No but the day i am dying, but i will still try a way to watch the game if it is possible.

[Dpantherman]

Been through 1-15, 2-14 and everything else in between. Not a chance.

[KillerKat]

So even if the NFL literally turns in their pads for flags and it became a flag football league, would you guys still watch the Panthers then?

[Ruff]

So even if the NFL literally turns in their pads for flags and it became a flag football league, would you guys still watch the Panthers then?

Absolutely.

But, I think you're over-dramatizing things a tad. The hit on the receiver by Ryan Clark last night was obviously aimed at the guys head, and, you could obviously see that his helmet hit the guy's facemask.

The NFL isn't turning into anything bad, but, it is becoming more and more offensive oriented. And it's mainly because of the people ranting in the LSU/'Bama thread about how low-scoring games are lame, the offenses sucked, etc.

Obviously, people are to the point where they don't like watching low-scoring, knockaround games. Thus, the NFL has had to adapt. The NBA did away with defense a long, long time ago, for this exact same reason.

[PhillyB]

the game is still plenty entertaining. of course i wouldn't give up the panthers.

i do wish they'd alter the rules to allow some sort of challenge/review to the helmet-to-helmet rule.

[Vagrant]

If you want to see two living things kill each other, go watch a dog fight and leave football for those of us who like the competitive edge of the sport and feel better knowing that these guys who give us everything they have for a few short years will not suffer the rest of their life from depression and insufferable brain trauma related symptoms.

The wave of the future is making sure that these players aren't brain dead by the time they're 40 and end up shooting themselves in the chest to donate their brain to science so nobody has to go through what they did anymore. Your regressive idea of what constitutes "manliness" in football is indicative of your ignorance to what former players are suffering through now. If you can forgive that damage against them for the amount they were paid to endure it, then you're in the minority.

This machismo about hitting is borne of ignorance and blood lust. Raise your standards.

[Jackofalltrades]

The Panthers playing the wrong way with the wrong people is the only thing that would push me away.

[pantherfan82]

My friend stopped watching the panthers and Is a steelers fan now

[Rubi]

I believe in protecting the players. Of course. But sometimes the officials need to let the guys play a little bit. Throwing flags at every little thing is brutal.