ESPN's Mark Schlereth on the new hitting rule in the NFL

I repeat, "that's the way it's always been", is not a very good argument.

If they change the dynamics of hitting in the game, maybe salaries will actually go down commensurate to the reduced risks or popularity?

People act like the rules of a sport are etched in stone or something... we're not changing the Constitution here, people, it's a damned game. People's lives (this affects college and amateur kids too) are more important than 'tradition.'

 

That was not my argument.

 

The free-market-esqe "They know the risk" isn't a good one, either. For the reasons I added above, in particular.

If they change the rules, and all the sudden the NFL collapses due to falling popularity and another league takes their place, more violent than before, then well, more power to them, but for now, we probably ought to try to reign in the unnecessary risk/violence as much as we can, eh?

 

Admittedly, I only skimmed the thread but I don't see a post from you in that vein...

I think it's kind of silly to argue that we should "eliminate unnecessary risk/violence" from football. It's intrinsic to the game. If you want to eliminate such things, don't play - that's the only way.

 

Anybody else get the feeling the new rules regarding contact might end up being a sticking point in the new CBA negotiations this year?

Hell, it might actually end up diving the players union in two, cause it seems like they can't come up with a consensus either. Seems like the vote would be split fairly evenly between offensive and defensive players, since the penalties are almost exclusively for defense.

 

I think now we can say you've evoked the "that's the way it's always been" argument

 

Maybe. More of a "I don't understand the surprise/outrage" argument. Or why this is eliciting so much passion; I'm not ashamed to admit it - I have almost no sympathy for the dudes getting concussed. You're playing a game where extremely large and fit grown men hit each other. I mean....duh.

At the end of the day, those hits make it exciting, the players get compensated for it, and I can safely watch from my concussion-free couch*.


*Actually, I very rarely watch the games anymore.

 

o rly?

 

Goddamit I cannot rep you.

 

Go back to Leather helmets.



DD

 

why dont these players have these serious injury issues? Maybe the NFL should really take a page from their book.

Spoiler

 

Here's what the argument is: A huge majority of the people in the country that play tackle football regularly are in junior high and high school. The NFL is the trendsetter for college and youth football. If they set an example of leading with the head and playing in an unsafe manner (i.e. no mouthguards, poorly fitting helmets, etc.) then the example will the copied by America's youth... which is a bad thing, because 99% of those kids will NOT become NFL players, and they could end up with permanent brain damage, paralysis, or even death.

Now... I don't know how much of the above I believe, but I think it's a big part of the reason there is suddenly all this "outrage." It's the same argument they used for Congress getting involved in the steriod issue... if Sammy Sosa does it, kids will copy him and they'll die!

Currently, states make their own rules for youth football... what flies in New Jersey doesn't neccessarily fly in California. Couldn't the federal government just mandate that every state have matching, comprehensive youth football rules that were reviewed and approved by the FDA and a room full of dudes wearing labcoats? Then every team would have comprehensive concussion plans (no play for a month after a concussion or something), strict helmet-to-helmet rules, and standardized uniform compliance (tight fitting helmets and big, effective mouth guards).

If that were the case nobody would give a sh-t what the pros did... right?

 

My position is that if NFL want to prevent injuries or life changing hits, than why extending the season by two more games where the chances of those hit and injuries will likely increase?

I agree with suspending players for illegal hit but it happen and sometime its accidental.

 

what are coaches and parent for>?

 

I don't think players are aware of the long term effects to be honest with you. They see a guy get a concussion then they're back in a few weeks, no biggie but the long term ramifications of such injuries have the potential to be much more devastating.

 

So you note the dumb hyperbole about how soft the game is but have no trouble engaging in dumb hyperbole when you create strawmen arguements?

 

they are being educated more and more but at the end of the day, some of the guys just dont care. Chalk it up to lack of foresight, maturity or flat out dont care.

 

Are you implying that you want to see mario Williams rush the passer in a bra and panties?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlLjPswUfRs

^ IS that the video? The one on the OP was taken down.

I'd like to see Dunta Robinson's and Harrison's hits... anyone have a link to that video? Searching on NFL and YouTube's videos now.

EDIT: Dunta Robinson's hit (youtube).
James Harrison's hit (Youtube).

would like to disagree with Schlereth: one thing is a legal hit, a legal tackle, and a legal pull down of a player. It is another thing to use a helmet as a weapon. And yes, I understand some of you already brought this up... I admit I didn't read the entire thread, but it was my quick response to Mark's statements.

I agree, though, the NFL is popular because of its great plays and tackles.

 

Hey man, I agree with you. Don't get me wrong, it's always ulitmately on the coach and parent. I think some sort of unilateral rule holding the coaches and parents responsible would be fine with me, provided they focus on the things I mention in my post because those are the cheapest and easiest ways to stem the concussion tide.

1) You cannot step onto a field without a proper, dental mold mouthguard
2) A helmet does not fit properly unless you have to pull it off with some force. You cannot step onto the field without a proper fitting helmet.
3) Baseline testing so concussion symptoms are more easily and quickly diagnosed.
4) A mandatory period of time where you can't step on the field after a concussion, determined by a credable group of doctors.
5) Legal punishment from the coaches, officials, and parents who flaunt the above.