Rule Changes and how it effects you the fan

by tanos135 on Mar 24, 2010 12:28 PM PDT

First off I know the OT rule has been discussed and that is not what I'm talking about here. I'm here to ask what you all think about the rule about the refs blowing a play dead if the ball carriers helmet comes off. I have to say I don't like it. After all this would not have been a 1st down had this rule been in place at the time.

Go to around the 1:10 mark and I think you will all know what I am talking about. I understand the importance of safety and do not wish injuries on any player. I do, however think that they are starting to make the game a bit vanilla. Join me after the jump and I will explain my thoughts and ask you my fellow fans for your thoughts as well.

By vanilla I mean they are putting so many rules in that I think it is starting to take away from the game of football as it is meant to be played. They have rules protecting the receiver/ball carrier that don't allow the defensive players to do their jobs the way they were trained. Same with the don't hit the QB below the knee (i.e the Tom Brady rule). Also the rule about no more three man wedges on kicks. Those are just a few examples.

For now I'm just talking about the helmet rule. This is football and big hits are part of the game, yet they are saying if the ball carrier looses his helmet the play is dead at that spot. Where is the hero with the guts to keep going, like Hill in the above video, going to get their accolades? Why is it just the ball carrier? Linemen loose their helmets quite often but yet no stoppage of play for that? Whats next if a player looses his shoe the play is blown dead?

Don't get me wrong I again say I don't wish to see any player injured. However I do like to see the big hits, the guys that go for it even without helmets or with a missing shoe, it shows me guts and courage, heck I even like (and miss) TD celebrations.

What do you all think on this matter? Let us know your thoughts.

Poll

Do you think the NFL is taking away from the game with all these new rules?

Yes

12 votes

No

7 votes

Maybe it's abit much

9 votes

Maybe it's not enough

1 votes

29 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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Comments

Absolutely a play should be blown dead if the ball carrier's helmet comes off

yeah it makes for great highlight reels but you’re just asking for serious injury.

Member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010

by smileyman on Mar 24, 2010 12:55 PM PDT reply actions

I think it's as much about the defense as it is about the ball carrier.

Because having to tackle somebody who’s not wearing a helmet really puts you in an awkward position.

Unless you want to risk seeing your name in the headlines as the first NFL player to kill his opponent on the field, you have to be careful. And trying to be careful while tackling somebody puts you at an obvious disadvantage.

So yes, as much as I loved that gutsy play by Hill, I think that rule makes a lot of sense. Not so sure about the DB-using-his-shoulder thing though.

by musketeer54 on Mar 24, 2010 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Hadn't thought of it from that angle before

but it’s a good point

Member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010

by smileyman on Mar 24, 2010 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions

I think the rules being put in place for safety are easier to deal with than some of the other rules that affect actual game play. Also the way they are enforced determines how ludicrous some of these rules are.

The 5-yard bump, CBs and WRs bumping down the sideline, the leg lunging rule (tom brady rule #2); in the heat of the moment, 3 minutes to play in the 4th qrt of any game, us fans want to see the Big score or the big stop. No one wants to see a flag for the Slot receiver that tripped, but one official thought he was held or pushed down, unless its an actual infraction.

As a fan of football, the entire sport itself, I have no prob with the new OT rule because its more football! As alot of people are saying its better, but not fixing much, you dont lose the game because of the rule, you lose the game because you cant score, or cant hold off the opponent. So blame whoever you want, in the end, you couldn’t come away with that win.

by LADubbz45 on Mar 24, 2010 1:38 PM PDT reply actions

I hate the new rule in regards to using a shoulder to hit a receiver when going after the ball

I can see the helmet to helmet thing, but they shoud still be able to use a shoulder to the chest or whever. It’s good they are trying to protect the players, but really, when is line going to be drawn. It’s savage sport and has been since it started… these guys know this when they sign up to play as kids. Before we know it, the NFL is going to turn in to flag football.

Too many freaks, not enough circuses.

by Drew Kerr on Mar 24, 2010 5:33 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah the shoulder thing is stupid

the head to head is good, or even leading with the helmet is good, but players should be able to use a shoulder.

Member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010

by smileyman on Mar 24, 2010 8:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

If you want to protect the players more, invest more money in better pads that absorb hits better or something like that.

Go 49ers

by iaalexeeff on Mar 24, 2010 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Yup

There are lots of things I’d do to fix things in the NFL.

1. Make referees a full-time job. Right now they’re all part-time except for the head of officiating. If they’re full-time you can spend a lot more time analyzing tape together and becoming more consistent in your calls.

2. Have all the team doctors be hired by the NFL, or have an NFL team doctor at every facility. This will promote accurate reporting to the NFL as well as standardization in what data is reported. A team doctor is caught between a rock and a hard spot when giving medical advice to a player. A doctor hired by the NFl wouldn’t have the same problems.

Member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010

by smileyman on Mar 24, 2010 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions