New Helmet Rule

[Dpantherman]

*Outside the tackle box

[beastson]

That rule change isn't even all that bad. It's outside the box. Just don't lower your head, lower your shoulder or get outta of bounds

Atleast the tuck rule is gone

The Ravens to me proved they'll do whatever anyway during the season and just take the fines, come playoff time anything goes

[carpanfan96]

Clark Judge ‏@ClarkJudgeCBSnow

Fisher said he talked to Eddie George about rule and wasn't in favor. After explained to him in 15 minutes, Fisher said, George on board.

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk1m

"We're talking about keeping the head up," Jeff Fisher explains. Runners can protect themselves, just not deliver blow with top of helmet.

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk12s

After hearing the rule explained, it sounds like it will not be as extreme or severe as many initially believed.

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalknow

The new helmet-use rule is not reviewable by replay, according to NFL V.P. of officiating Dean Blandino. It's a judgment call.

[Hawk]

I've always thought it was stupid that there were different rules for the D and the O. D couldn't lead with the head but the offence could. Think they've gone too far now though.

[Scrumtrilescent]

Basically outlawing offensive spearing. Not bad. Earl Campbell used his shoulders like battering rams.

[CatMan72]

The more things change, the more I move closer and closer to being a full-on hockey fan instead of football fan. Really sucks.

Let's not get carried away here... LOL

[CatMan72]

We'll have to see how this rule is put into practice... the spirit of it is limited to obvious spearing attempts by the offensive player in the open field and with all the rules limiting the use of the helmet as a weapon for defenders it only seems fair, but we'll have to say how the refs actually enforce this rule.

[usmcpanthers]

This rule hurts running teams far more then passing. Well we wont see another near record breaking year from a RB ever again if this rule stays in effect.

[TylerVagyler]

This rule hurts running teams far more then passing. Well we wont see another near record breaking year from a RB ever again if this rule stays in effect.

AP will not be effected by this rule.

[usmcpanthers]

All RB's will be affected, Ive seen AP lower his head and truck defenders before.

[carpanfan96]

All RB's will be affected, Ive seen AP lower his head and truck defenders before.

Bringing your pad level down isn't against the rules, it's running behind your helmet and causing forceful contact with it that's illegal. A rb is still able to lower their pad level and truck defenders, just have to do it correctly now and lead with their shoulder pads and not their helmet.

[fjblair]

These rules are being made because players are suing the NFL every other day. The league has to protect themselves from future lawsuits so every player doesn't say the league didn't do anything to protect them.

NFLPA Moto:

"Let us go out there and kill each other but if we have life-long effects from it, you better be paying for it or we'll sue you"

I'm sure that is factor but it's absurd. Think about it. The NFL needs to pony up some of it's zillions of dollars and take care of the active and retired players medical expenses. Just pay health insurance that covers any football related medical problem then the players/ex players have no reason to sue. Head injuries and brain damage has and will always be a risk they take, Rule changes aren't going to eliminate the without eliminating the success of the NFL. A running back HAS to lower his head when he lowers his shoulders, it's often the only option because they use their arms and hands on many plays.

[carpanfan96]

I'm sure that is factor but it's absurd. Think about it. The NFL needs to pony up some of it's zillions of dollars and take care of the active and retired players medical expenses. Just pay health insurance that covers any football related medical problem then the players/ex players have no reason to sue. Head injuries and brain damage has and will always be a risk they take, Rule changes aren't going to eliminate the without eliminating the success of the NFL. A running back HAS to lower his head when he lowers his shoulders, it's often the only option because they use their arms and hands on many plays.

They don't have to lower their head at all, You can keep your pad level down and your head high and up so you can see where your going. To lower your helmet all the way and block vision is stupid and a health risk. Go watch Jim Brown or Bettis run through people with their shoulders while keeping their head up.

[GRWatcher]

It seems that it's just in the last 8 years or so that more RB's lead with their helmets lowered. Wouldn't they have trouble keeping their balance doing that?

I think it's a good rule change.