Competition Committee proposes rule to remove helmet as weapon

[jtnc]

Besides planning to create a rule against the chop block, it appears the NFL Competition Committee will also recommend a rule to make life safer for defensive backs when they meets with the owners next week in Phoenix.

The New York Times reported Monday that the committee will propose a rule against running backs lowering their heads to use their helmets as battering rams. The rule is aimed at taking away such a move in the open field and anything like it outside of the tackle box.

The N.F.L. has discussed a rule to prohibit runners from lowering their heads into defenders since at least 2009. That season, Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson had lowered his shoulder and head to little more than a foot off the ground, delivering a brutal hit to the helmet of Detroit safety Louis Delmas. At the time, Peterson said he thought it was insane to tell running backs they could not lower their heads into defenders — a technique running backs often use to gain a few extra yards, by using their heads as battering rams.

But even to the naked eye, such a play looks dangerous and the N.F.L., buffeted by concussion lawsuits filed by more than 4,000 former players and their families, has gradually taken steps to eliminate plays it believes present the most risk. In one famous play in 1987, Raiders running back Bo Jackson lowered his head and shoulder into Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth, pushing him backward into the end zone. Under the proposed rule, that play might draw a penalty on Jackson.

– Bill Bradley, contributing editor

http://www.nflevolution.com/article/Competition-Committee-proposes-rule-to-remove-helmet-as-weapon?ref=6829

So a move like this would be illegal if the Owners agree to the rule.

Every year the NFL gets worse and worse with these new rules, former players are ruining this game.

[PhillyB]

in b4 "y dont they jus were skirts geezus"

[toldozer]

Wanna make it safer, go back to leather helmets. You launching yourself when cracking your skull is a real possibilty?

[Ruff]

Peterson is all upset when they take away something that gives him advantage, but when they took away the defenses ability to separate the offense from the ball, there was no complaint?

[SIGCHI222]

This will result in a flag every running play...not feasible IMO.

[KSpan]

Sounds good, but how the hell would they enforce it? Basically trading defender 'safety' for the runner's ability to protect themselves... imagine the shots runners will take if they can't lower the shoulder.

[AR-15 Panther]

lol time to stock up on 3 more running backs, guess the panthers know what they are doing after all..

RBs stand up straight and take your shots like a man.. Why not just make everyone stand straight up, bend over slightly and it will cost you severely.

Maybe have the players take estrogen so they will be more chatty and prone to hug. Who needs flag football when you can stop a player with a pleasant hug or get around a defensive player by giving a talk to the hand gesture..

[jasonluckydog]

Wanna make it safer, go back to leather helmets. You launching yourself when cracking your skull is a real possibilty?

Teddy Roosevelt almost banned football back in 1905 cause of so many players dying, so I seriously doubt we see leather helmets happen again

[CatMan72]

If these guys want to be safe, they shouldn't play football.