This has to be a joke/New Rules - Defenseless Players

[Ayt]

Does this mean Rodgers will actually start getting a flag when he gets drilled in the head?

[Wilford Brimley]

Honestly, they don't seem TOO bad, but I do think Goodell is losing his **** over one season which seemed who have deviated from the norm in terms of injuries.

[humanrefutation]

Where do you get the impression that it deviated from the norm?

[humanrefutation]

"Everyone will be very clearly on notice now that a suspension is very viable for us and we will exercise it ..when it comes to illegal hits to the head and neck area and to defenseless players."

Based on how that reads I think it means all the time.

"Everyone will be very clearly on notice now that a suspension is very viable for us and we will exercise it ..when it comes to illegal hits to the head and neck area and to defenseless players."

I think they're talking about hits to the head and neck area in regards to defenseless players. If so, I don't really think it's a big deal. In fact, I generally support it. All of the evidence over the past couple years have shown how awful head injuries and concussions are to long term health. Why not protect players?

[chuckleslove]

Yep if its just in regards to avoiding hitting people in the head its a good change. No reason defenders shouldn't be capable of aiming for the body and avoiding the head.

[IrishRainbow]

I say F changing all the rules. Just give them the better post NFL health care. Let the game take it's course.

[askdavescat]

I don't like the general direction of these rules either, although if they're strictly talking about blows to the head, I can understand the rationale.

I believe the 800 lb. gorilla in the room that the NFL is worried about is Congress. Last year, when that college kid died in training camp, and they found evidence of brain damage going back to his Pee-Wee football days, Congress really took note of that, and they were not amused. Given the accumulating evidence and effects concussions are having on current and retired NFL players, unless the NFL appears to be going above-and-beyond the cause to prevent these injuries, Congress will step in. I guarantee if you don't like the present proposed rule changes, you're really not gonna like what they will do to the game.

And if you're thinking 'they can't do that,' don't bet the change in your pocket on that. They can, and they will.

[emunney]

"Everyone will be very clearly on notice now that a suspension is very viable for us and we will exercise it ..when it comes to illegal hits to the head and neck area and to defenseless players."

I think they're talking about hits to the head and neck area in regards to defenseless players. If so, I don't really think it's a big deal. In fact, I generally support it. All of the evidence over the past couple years have shown how awful head injuries and concussions are to long term health. Why not protect players?

Maybe they meant to say hits to the head and neck OF defenseless players, but hits to the head and neck are already illegal, so why would that require a rule change? Your bolded quote clearly says hits to the head and neck AND hits to defenseless players.

[Buck You]

First and 2nd page of this thread are completely different lol.