NFL players speak out on NFL's awful, new dangerous hit rule

[HEAVYHITTER]

Mark Schereth is $$$$$$$$$$$$

http://www.milehighreport.com/2010/10/2 ... t+Posts%29


also

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdo ... nfl-278498

These guys are right on.....

1. Brian Urlacher

"It's freaking football. There are going to be big hits. I don't understand how they can do this after one weekend of hitting. And I can't understand how they can suspend us for it. I think it's a bunch of bull.

"You know what we should do? We should just put flags on everybody. Let's make it the NFFL - the National Flag Football League. It's unbelievable."


8. Phillip Daniels

"Have we become a cupcake league? We already have better helmets and gear. Wonder how the old school players feel about this. Not in the back of minds when talking about 18 game season so let's play football please....Even guys using shoulders to hit are getting flagged for helmet-to-helmet. Defense is getting sloppy because guys are avoiding fines and will get worse if suspending comes into play....
"There has been a warning sticker on the back of every helmet since pee wee league. When u put that helmet on you know you will hit or be hit. We still choose to play. Parents are asked to sign forms for their kids to play because of the dangers of the sport. Nothing is different."

 

[AmishDave]

When was the last time Urlacher or Daniels did anything of relevance ?

Launching yourself at an opponent, leading w/your helmet, should be a fineable offense. Trying to take someone's livelyhood away isn't cool. I wouldn't want Harrison on my team. He's a ***** and if he got laid out like he's done to players, he'd be a prima donna bitch and then whine about EVERYTHING he could.

**** him, **** Merriweather and **** anyone else who wants to be a classless ****** bag and try to end careers. Ask Darryl Stingley how it feels ...

 

[HEAVYHITTER]

When was the last time Urlacher or Daniels did anything of relevance ?

Launching yourself at an opponent, leading w/your helmet, should be a fineable offense. Trying to take someone's livelyhood away isn't cool. I wouldn't want Harrison on my team. He's a ***** and if he got laid out like he's done to players, he'd be a prima donna bitch and then whine about EVERYTHING he could.

frack him, frack Merriweather and frack anyone else who wants to be a classless ****** bag and try to end careers. Ask Darryl Stingley how it feels ...

Last time I checked they all made it to the NFL, and have had times in their career that you only dream of.

Noone is saying that helmet to helmet shouldnt be finable....

For you to call Harrison a ***** is hilarious because you know darn well if you tried to say that to his face other than in your room wearing your marlins underroos, you wouldnt stand a chance...

/your useless arguments.

 

[HEAVYHITTER]

http://www.milehighreport.com/2010/10/2 ... t+Posts%29

 

[rymflaherty]

Like I've said in other threads - I'm reserving judgment until we see the ramifications......

Just think it's important to remember, as of now, technically no "rule" has been changed.....it's simply the hits that have been deemed fine -worthy are now going to carry a suspension. Or at least it seems that's how their spinning it today.

I don't want to see it turned into two hand touch either......so I hope it's simply trying to stop the projectile, head-first, knock out shots. At least imo, each year it seems players on Defense have slowly lost the perception of hitting/tackling, in favor of this run as fast as possible and use my body as a weapon style which is reckless and dangerous to both parties.

The question is will it simply be limited to this handful of plays or are they going to get crazy about it.......honest to God they should just take time tonight on the NFL network to have a special and address what is/isn't legal now, why, what their looking for, what happens if a back initiates the head-to-head by moving, etc., etc. and one would hope it would make sense and us as fans would be better informed.

 

[HEAVYHITTER]

check out the espn video added

 

[lisu]

Like I've said in other threads - I'm reserving judgment until we see the ramifications......

Just think it's important to remember, as of now, technically no "rule" has been changed.....it's simply the hits that have been deemed fine -worthy are now going to carry a suspension. Or at least it seems that's how their spinning it today.

I don't want to see it turned into two hand touch either......so I hope it's simply trying to stop the projectile, head-first, knock out shots. At least imo, each year it seems players on Defense have slowly lost the perception of hitting/tackling, in favor of this run as fast as possible and use my body as a weapon style which is reckless and dangerous to both parties.

The question is will it simply be limited to this handful of plays or are they going to get crazy about it.......honest to God they should just take time tonight on the NFL network to have a special and address what is/isn't legal now, why, what their looking for, what happens if a back initiates the head-to-head by moving, etc., etc. and one would hope it would make sense and us as fans would be better informed.

Agreed. Let's see what happens. I can tell you this - I don't want to see someone get killed from a helmet to helmet shot.

 

[Slette]

Sorry, Marlins underroos... that ****'s funny.

 

[Sweetness]

Any player that leads with his head deserves to be suspended. Merriweather could've seriously hurt todd heap and it was the second time he tried to injure someone in that game. Think about the poor kid that just broke his neck covering a kick. He's lucky to be alive. Kevin Everett almost died on the field because he was leading with his head. Bottom line the NFL needs to crack down hard on this because kids see professionals leading with their heads and they think that because professionals do it it is safe.

I love big hits but you don't need to use your helmet as a weapon.

 

[dfr52]

Any player that leads with his head deserves to be suspended. Merriweather could've seriously hurt todd heap and it was the second time he tried to injure someone in that game. Think about the poor kid that just broke his neck covering a kick. He's lucky to be alive. Kevin Everett almost died on the field because he was leading with his head. Bottom line the NFL needs to crack down hard on this because kids see professionals leading with their heads and they think that because professionals do it it is safe.

I love big hits but you don't need to use your helmet as a weapon.

I 100% agree, big hits are great but the helmet shouldn't be used as a weapon.

 

[rymflaherty]

Know I said my piece and stick by that......but didn't mention, I do obviously get why the players are confused or upset, and am able to see that catch-22 type situation.

I'd be willing to bet - somewhere in America last week there were kids in Pop Warner being taught to "bite the ball", fundamental tackling, get your shoulder in there, etc....all week long. And I'd also bet, come Sunday some kid put his head down, made a huge hit, caused a fumble and everybody went crazy like it was the greatest thing ever.
So, that conflict is there from the start......and it's that "don't do it", yet positive reinforcement when it's done the past decade or so that's created this point.
So yeah I can see why the players would say WTF.....but by the same token, I think it's also why the NFL is trying to take away that conflict.

 

[Hold Steady]

Do what the NHL does.

If you hurt a guy and he's out for x amount of time, your suspension is the same amount of time the guy is out. Granted in the NFL that's a bit of a stretch considering the lack of games as compared to NHL.

 

[AmishDave]

When was the last time Urlacher or Daniels did anything of relevance ?

Launching yourself at an opponent, leading w/your helmet, should be a fineable offense. Trying to take someone's livelyhood away isn't cool. I wouldn't want Harrison on my team. He's a ***** and if he got laid out like he's done to players, he'd be a prima donna bitch and then whine about EVERYTHING he could.

frack him, frack Merriweather and frack anyone else who wants to be a classless ****** bag and try to end careers. Ask Darryl Stingley how it feels ...

Last time I checked they all made it to the NFL, and have had times in their career that you only dream of.

Noone is saying that helmet to helmet shouldnt be finable....

For you to call Harrison a ***** is hilarious because you know darn well if you tried to say that to his face other than in your room wearing your marlins underroos, you wouldnt stand a chance...

/your useless arguments.

Marlins underoos ? Ok, Spanky. I'd say it to his face. Who the **** cares ? What's he gonna do, beat me up ? Steelers fans, 99% fucktards

 

[rymflaherty]

Any player that leads with his head deserves to be suspended. Merriweather could've seriously hurt todd heap and it was the second time he tried to injure someone in that game. Think about the poor kid that just broke his neck covering a kick. He's lucky to be alive. Kevin Everett almost died on the field because he was leading with his head. Bottom line the NFL needs to crack down hard on this because kids see professionals leading with their heads and they think that because professionals do it it is safe.

I love big hits but you don't need to use your helmet as a weapon.

I 100% agree, big hits are great but the helmet shouldn't be used as a weapon.

Right in the helmet there are tons of warnings against that......and I'm pretty sure it also states that it's not very effective in preventing head injuries if you're hit in the head.
I remember being amazed at that when I was younger.....at the time I just laughed at the fact it's basically telling you it shouldn't be used for what you're using it for.

I wish someone on the board that is currently playing would type what those stickers say.....it's pretty crazy.
Think too many people assume they do actually protect you, and/or with the other pads they become invulnerable or something and it's just not the case.

 

[dfr52]

Any player that leads with his head deserves to be suspended. Merriweather could've seriously hurt todd heap and it was the second time he tried to injure someone in that game. Think about the poor kid that just broke his neck covering a kick. He's lucky to be alive. Kevin Everett almost died on the field because he was leading with his head. Bottom line the NFL needs to crack down hard on this because kids see professionals leading with their heads and they think that because professionals do it it is safe.

I love big hits but you don't need to use your helmet as a weapon.

I 100% agree, big hits are great but the helmet shouldn't be used as a weapon.

Right in the helmet there are tons of warnings against that......and I'm pretty sure it also states that it's not very effective in preventing head injuries if you're hit in the head.
I remember being amazed at that when I was younger.....at the time I just laughed at the fact it's basically telling you it shouldn't be used for what you're using it for.

I wish someone on the board that is currently playing would type what those stickers say.....it's pretty crazy.
Think too many people assume they do actually protect you, and/or with the other pads they become invulnerable or something and it's just not the case.

Someone on Mike & Mike brought up that point this week (maybe M.Hoge) where he tells the little kids he coaches that the helmet is for protection and the shoulder pads are for hitting. Neither really protects the spine which players at any age tend to forget.

The last NFL player that I can remember who was really into using their helmet was Chuck Cecil. The guy could hit but it ended up costing him his career due to the helmet shots.

 

[pigskincardboard]

If you want to see people die, go watch Nascar and complain about restricter plates or something.

Football should do absolutely everything it can to keep the players healthy. The fact that Todd Heap was allowed back into the game was utterly disgusting.

The Ravens should be fined 3x as much as Merriweather.

I don't care if it's a stinger, or the player didn't lose consciousness.

I love old-timey football, but it's now at the point where these guys are going to hurt each other. Dana White always talks about the amount of MMA deaths/major injuries compared to football and he's right.

Goodell has realized that Football = Fantasy Points, so you might as well do everything you can to protect the safety of the people that put 'em on the board.

 

[HEAVYHITTER]

[quote="55_marlins_sp":ezvgvat2]When was the last time Urlacher or Daniels did anything of relevance ?

Launching yourself at an opponent, leading w/your helmet, should be a fineable offense. Trying to take someone's livelyhood away isn't cool. I wouldn't want Harrison on my team. He's a ***** and if he got laid out like he's done to players, he'd be a prima donna bitch and then whine about EVERYTHING he could.

frack him, frack Merriweather and frack anyone else who wants to be a classless ****** bag and try to end careers. Ask Darryl Stingley how it feels ...

Last time I checked they all made it to the NFL, and have had times in their career that you only dream of.

Noone is saying that helmet to helmet shouldnt be finable....

For you to call Harrison a ***** is hilarious because you know darn well if you tried to say that to his face other than in your room wearing your marlins underroos, you wouldnt stand a chance...

/your useless arguments.

Marlins underoos ? Ok, Spanky. I'd say it to his face. Who the frack cares ? What's he gonna do, beat me up ? Steelers fans, 99% fucktards[/quote:ezvgvat2]

Obviously hit a soft spot.

 

[bigdaddyblue73]

I understand and agree with the need for the rule. Some of the helmet to helmet hits of late have been ridiculously deliberate. Merriweather's for example. However I also agree with the sentiments a lot of players are echoing that some of the hits are unavoidable, and that a player should not be punished if that is the case. But that then asks the question: How is it going to be determined if the hits were intentional or not? I think this is something the players association needs to get involved in. Here is how I would handle it: The NFL establishes a committee specifically designed to examine all questionable helmet to helmet hits and determine if they were accidents or intentional. The committee is formed of 1 official from the NFL officiating office, and four retired players. They then review vote on each questionable hit. Players need to involved in the process, guys who have been on the field and know the hazards of the game. Two should be former defensive players and two former offensive players. Once the hits in question are determined to have been deliberate then the league levies punishment according to a predetermined written set of desciplinary actions. No making **** up on the fly or going case by case. The same fines/penalties for all. The first infraction should be a hefty fine, a hefty one to hit these guys in the wallet. The second should be a multiple game suspension. THe third possible expulsion from the league. In addition, set up a league run "tackle" camp. Make players who are guilty of violating the rule attend this camp and embarass the hell out of them. The punishment needs to be severe for this, but someone has to determine wether the hits are deliberate or just part of the game.