Too many players are now taking advantage of the rules meant to protect players. I understand the importance of protecting against CTE. But when coaches and players devise schemes to use these rules to a competitive advantage, it abuses the spirit of the rule.
I realize some of these rules would be difficult to formulate how to enforce them, but they are worth examining.
In a further effort to protect players, the NFL and NCAA should consider these rule changes.
1. QBs must begin their slide at least 2 yards away from defender AND ball is spotted at the point slide begins - The QB giving himself up in a slide was meant to protect QBs. But too many QBs now hold off their slide way too long in hopes of drawing an UC penalty. If the QB is still upright when he's two yards away from defender, he's fair game. Also, seems officials have been lax about spotting the ball at the beginning of the slide. Reinforce that principle.
2. Ball carriers cannot leap defenders - This would be a tough one to enforce, but we know it when we see it. Defenders have to stay low to avoid the ball carrier dropping his head and initiating targeting. But when he does, the ball carrier leaps him. We've seen more and more defenders simply stand up and flip the ball carrier, which results in an even more dangerous situation. When the ball carrier tries this, just blow the play dead.
3. Offensive players cannot loiter inbounds on the sideline - We've all seen Mahomes do this, trying to draw an UC penalty by loitering just inbounds and stepping out just as the defenders get to him. Blow the play dead when the offensive player gives himself up by stopping.
4. No helmet to helmet penalty when initiated by the offensive player - This one drives me nutty too. Defensive player is aiming shoulder at the man's chest, running back drops his head and initiates helmet to helmet contact, and gets 15 extra years. If the offensive player initiates the helmet to helmet, either no foul OR penalize the offensive player.
I realize some of these rules would be difficult to formulate how to enforce them, but they are worth examining.
In a further effort to protect players, the NFL and NCAA should consider these rule changes.
1. QBs must begin their slide at least 2 yards away from defender AND ball is spotted at the point slide begins - The QB giving himself up in a slide was meant to protect QBs. But too many QBs now hold off their slide way too long in hopes of drawing an UC penalty. If the QB is still upright when he's two yards away from defender, he's fair game. Also, seems officials have been lax about spotting the ball at the beginning of the slide. Reinforce that principle.
2. Ball carriers cannot leap defenders - This would be a tough one to enforce, but we know it when we see it. Defenders have to stay low to avoid the ball carrier dropping his head and initiating targeting. But when he does, the ball carrier leaps him. We've seen more and more defenders simply stand up and flip the ball carrier, which results in an even more dangerous situation. When the ball carrier tries this, just blow the play dead.
3. Offensive players cannot loiter inbounds on the sideline - We've all seen Mahomes do this, trying to draw an UC penalty by loitering just inbounds and stepping out just as the defenders get to him. Blow the play dead when the offensive player gives himself up by stopping.
4. No helmet to helmet penalty when initiated by the offensive player - This one drives me nutty too. Defensive player is aiming shoulder at the man's chest, running back drops his head and initiates helmet to helmet contact, and gets 15 extra years. If the offensive player initiates the helmet to helmet, either no foul OR penalize the offensive player.
