http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5701512 I think this is a terrible idea, especially to enforce it during the season.
Whether it is a terrible idea or not, I am not sure. As to your second point about it being enforced during a season, I have no issue with that. It affects all the teams equally and does not involve the standings or playoff structure. This is not like that one year when the Lakers struggled in the regular season and David Stern decided to change the first round of the playoffs from 5 game series to 7 game series. (Yes, the change was actually made during the NBA season, possibly in February.) It was believed that the change was made to help the Lakers.
I would prefer to have them take a look at it in the offseason and carefully consider all the pro's and con's of multiple proposed solutions as a part of a well defined process rather than to quickly implement something mid-season as a reaction to a rash of injuries one week. I don't think it's a good strategy to change the rules of the game in a reactionary fashion like this. Not only is that a potentially mistake prone process, but it opens up a can of worms. I don't give a shit what the NBA does. Sure this effects all teams equally, but this could have a serious impact on teams if impact players start getting suspended. Goodell better not fuck this up.
I watched about a dozen Titans games in both 2008 and 2009. I have seen very little of them this year. Maybe he is taking some bad hits this year, I don't know. I can say that he avoided big hits in 2008 and 2009. You could say avoiding hits as Johnson does is practically a skill. Also, I am of the opinion that when a head coach has a horse of a running back, he should ride him. If Fisher decided to split the carries 50/50 between Johnson and Ringer, Johnson could still get injured.
No, I understand what you were saying. I'm pissed off that they're doing this mid-season. Goodell and his goody goody horseshit has already been quite annoying and I'm worried that he's going to take this too far.
I don't have a problem with it. From what I'm reading and hearing (from ESPN guys at halftime), this is not a rule change, as in a rule that is in the rule book. Rather, this is a Park Avenue issue.
If key players start getting suspended for key games that effect the playoff picture because they're hitting too hard I will have a huge problem with it. Goodell is micromanaging the league. He's supposed to be a big picture guy who focuses on things like the CBA, TV contracts, potential expansion ...
There are players who definitely use their helmet as a weapon. I understand they may be aiming at a guy's numbers but end up making helmet-to-helmet contact. That's tough luck. You hit a guy in the helmet, then do the time. I will have no problem if Brodney Pool hits someone in the head on Halloween and has to sit out the next game.
I don't disagree that there is a problem. What I disagree with is the clear reactionary manor in which this change was implemented. It's an error prone process that probably didn't take enough time to examine all the facts, possible options and the pro's and con's of those options. Yea and if Revis blows someone up in the divisional round and we have to face the Colts in the AFCCG are you going to be happy with the rule?
Is this something the players union can fight? I can already see non-intentional hits like the Eric Smith/Boldin one coming up.
Cakes, there is a major difference between launching yourself head first at a player and having incidental contact when making a tackle. So what you are saying is a Jets lineman can block one of the Steeler's defenders up into the running back and if helmet contact is made..regardless of intent, a player should be suspended? How about review each hit to determine intent, much like the league already does. Issue fines and or suspensions then but don't just automatically make ANY type of helmet contact a suspension. That'd be the dumbest thing they could do. It's a physical game, that's why they wear helmets in the first place. So sick of the pussification of this sport.
