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LLT
08-07-2010, 04:35 AM
New NFL rules designed to limit head injuries
By The Associated Press
Saturday, August 7, 2010

HOUSTON — NFL referees will take on more responsibility this season to protect players from helmet-first hits to their heads and necks.

The league has expanded its rules to prevent "defenseless" players from taking shots above their shoulders. Groups of officials are meeting with teams during training camp to go over the changes.

Referee Walt Anderson, also the head of officiating for the Big 12 Conference, led a meeting with the Houston Texans on Friday. He said commissioner Roger Goodell has been "very involved" in discussions with the league's rules committee and referees to find ways to limit the number of head injuries, while also maintaining the game's integrity.

"What the NFL has done is take a very proactive stance," Anderson said. "Goodell is very serious about this. We're going to be very proactive in doing what we can to strike an appropriate balance. We do have a contact sport. At the same time, what can we do to protect the players' safety?"

The reworded rules prohibit a player from launching himself off the ground and using his helmet to strike a player in a defenseless posture in the head or neck. The old rule only applied to receivers getting hit, but now it will apply to everyone.

read more: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_693857.html

RushHard34
08-07-2010, 06:22 PM
Gay.

Psycho Ward 86
08-07-2010, 06:36 PM
Remember a couple months ago when Goodell was considering taking out the 3-point stance altogether?

LOL

fansince'76
08-07-2010, 07:34 PM
Here it comes, folks! :jerkit:

http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/images/6295.jpg

Mach1
08-07-2010, 08:02 PM
Here it comes, folks! :jerkit:

http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/images/6295.jpg

Along with...

http://twoposhsisters.com/images/TuTu.004.jpg

Godfather
08-07-2010, 08:27 PM
How about just go back to leather helmets? That will make players be more careful because they'll want to protect their own noggin.

Or no helmets at all--rugby players have fewer concussions than football players.

kmsteelerwr15
08-07-2010, 11:42 PM
I still would like a clear description of a defenseless receiver. :noidea:

CantStop85
08-08-2010, 01:55 AM
I still would like a clear description of a defenseless receiver. :noidea:

"All players in virtually defenseless postures are protected from unnecessary hits by the defense, which include helmet-to-helmet contact, helmet-to-body contact, and blows to the head. Intended receivers of forward passes who fail to catch the pass are considered to be in a defenseless position immediately after the pass is missed. If the pass is caught, all of these restrictions are off, unless in the opinion of the covering official, something unsportsmanlike occurs."

Courtesy of Jerry Markbreit, a former NFL referee.

FWIW, I like the defenseless receiver rule in theory, but I think only the more blatant hits should be called, which often isn't the case. If it's a bang-bang play, the defender likely doesn't have time to assess whether or not the receiver has caught the ball and adjust accordingly. But you will occasionally see a blatantly unnecessary hit that doesn't fall under the category of a late hit because the play wasn't dead yet. In that case I think the rule is appropriate.

kmsteelerwr15
08-08-2010, 11:39 AM
"All players in virtually defenseless postures are protected from unnecessary hits by the defense, which include helmet-to-helmet contact, helmet-to-body contact, and blows to the head. Intended receivers of forward passes who fail to catch the pass are considered to be in a defenseless position immediately after the pass is missed. If the pass is caught, all of these restrictions are off, unless in the opinion of the covering official, something unsportsmanlike occurs."

Courtesy of Jerry Markbreit, a former NFL referee.

My question was more sarcasm because I think calls like these are consistently blown by the officials. The one that comes to mind the most was the hit Carter put on Olsen last season and he was flagged and fined for a hit that Olsen thought was clean. I just think they need to make it more clear to the officials what to be looking for because they are overreacting on beautiful hits.

BigNastyDefense
08-08-2010, 03:40 PM
Along with...

http://twoposhsisters.com/images/TuTu.004.jpg

Tom Brady already wears one.