New safety rule proposal for NFL RBs. Emmitt Smith says NFL has lost its mind

[Deberg_1990]

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/03/14/e...lost-its-mind/



The NFL is changing its rules to prevent ball-carriers from initiating contact with the crown of the helmet.

It’s an attempt to make the game safer – but the league’s all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith, thinks the NFL should have its own head examined.

“If I’m a running back and I’m running into a linebacker, you’re telling me I have to keep my head up so he can take my chin off?’’ Smith said Thursday in an exclusive interview with Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan. “You’ve absolutely lost your mind.’’

The NFL’s rules-making competition committee will propose this change to NFL owners at league meetings next week. At least 24 votes from 32 owners are required for passage.

“As a running back, it’s almost impossible (to not lower your head),’’ said the Dallas Cowboys legend. “The first thing you do is get behind your shoulder pads. That means you’re leaning forward and the first part of contact that’s going to take place is your head, regardless.

“I disagree with the rule altogether. It doesn’t make any sense for that position. It sounds like it’s been made up by people who have never played the game of football.’’

It is the league’s view that the crown of the helmet is dangerous for both the defender (who isn’t allowed to use the technique against ball-carriers) and the player with the ball. The competition committee is clearly seeking extra protection for defenders.

“That’s part of the game,’’ Smith said of “the violent part of the game … I don’t know how you’re going to be able to enforce that rule without really jeopardizing the integrity of the game itself. ‘’

Smith, who helped the Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles and in his 15 NFL seasons amassed a record 18,355 rushing yards, believes the league’s effort “makes the ref’s job, that’s already hard, even tougher. There’s no way in the world a running back is not going to be able to avoid contact without leading with his head first. … If this is truly what the NFL is trying to get after and they’re calling that ‘defenseless’, it’s so subjective that it doesn’t make any sense. That’s one rule that absolutely does not make sense. ‘’

[milkman]

I am no fan of Roger Goodell, but the outrage directed to him is misguided and stupid.

You want to blame someone for these rules, blame the retired players who were apparently too stupid to recognize the risks of playing a violent sport.

[BlackHelicopters]

Fo shizzle, rizzle?

[KurtCobain]

Originally Posted by milkman

I am no fan of Roger Goodell, but the outrage directed to him is misguided and stupid.

You want to blame someone for these rules, blame the retired players who were apparently too stupid to recognize the risks of playing a violent sport.

Too stupid because of brain damage, of course.

[alpha_omega]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

You guys realize they're doing all of this now because the NFL is getting ready to be sued out the ass for this concussion stuff right?

Winner.

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by Go to Hell

**** this rule

Campbell should have had a 15 yard penalty & thrown out of the game!

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by mikey23545

The new NFL uniform:

Sweet!

[tk13]

It's just the way it's going to be. Especially as more and more studies show that most of these guys have suffered brain damage. Goodell has to battle the impending lawsuits, the fear that more parents will turn their kids away from football... meanwhile trying to find a way to push the season to 18 games. You wonder if head contact will even be allowed in 15 years.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

The NFL should make it illegal for any player to fall down.

lmao
Posted via Mobile Device

[jAZ]

I'm so sick of people bitching about rule changes. The game is going to change because it's been revealed that it's really fucking people up. And the league is on the hook financially for massive amounts of money because of that damage. I have no idea if this particular rule is going to help, and perhaps its going to end up not being approved or not working. But can we get over the bitching about the efforts to fix the game and complaining that it's changing.

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by tk13

... the fear that more parents will turn their kids away from football...

It's not merely a fear.

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smar...rner-football/

It's a near certainty unless something changes.

[Valiant]

I think it is absolute bs. But. If they pass these others stupid rules they need to add this one to balance it out. Maybe a new league will form. And they go back to leather helmets and pads. Ala rugby. KC might win something then.

[bowener]

Originally Posted by Lzen

I wish Roger Goodell would go bye bye.

At $29million a year I doubt he goes anywhere.

[HMc]

eliminate helmets altogether. You don't see this head as a weapon shit in rugby because people tend to be protective of their heads. Give a guy a helmet, whether he's on a bicycle, skiing, playing football or whatever, and he suddenly thinks he's invincible.

[SPATCH]

Originally Posted by HMc

eliminate helmets altogether. You don't see this head as a weapon shit in rugby because people tend to be protective of their heads. Give a guy a helmet, whether he's on a bicycle, skiing, playing football or whatever, and he suddenly thinks he's invincible.

Exactly what I was thinking.

I was trying to envision an NFL without helmet-initiated contact and all I can see is awkward rugby tackles. Rugby players let off the gas just a bit before they initiate contact; same thing would happen in the NFL. Truly full speed collisions could be eradicated from the league almost entirely.

Sad.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by jAZ

It's not merely a fear.

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smar...rner-football/

It's a near certainty unless something changes.

One of the doctors involved in the Boston U. study that helped get the ball rolling on all of this has already said kids under 14 shouldn't play football.