The NFL's new approach to concussions continues to generate news, with the topic dominating the broadcast network pregame shows.
Both Jay Glazer of FOX and Charley Casserly of CBS reported that the league could be outlawing the dropping of the helmet by ball carriers. Running backs like Adrian Peterson often use their hats as battering rams, putting not only their brains but their spines in peril.
It would be a great move, not simply because Peterson and others like him need to be protected from themselves in this regard, but because other players need to be protected from being hit with helmets unnecessarily -- and because kids who play football are getting mixed messages from their coaches/parents and their heroes.
Adrian Peterson rule could be coming
Posted by Mike Florio on November 29, 2009 4:13 PM ET
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Let the guys play football!!!
The wussification of the No Fun League continues.
So what happens if they lower their shoulder and the helmet accidentally hits the helmet of someone else? Football is a violent sport, deal with it if you want the big bucks. If you truly want to lower the effects or concussions put a limit on how long they can play.
LOL....can't wait to hear the morons try to make this Brady's fault too. Another stupid rule
Let's just change it to 2-hand touch
Adrian Peterson really likes to fumble the football too.
This will become a rule when and if Tom Brady says it becomes a rule, and not a moment sooner.
There, happy Ken1313
Flag football coming in the next CBA!
sheesh........
Something Mike that you might want to consider.
The new focus on concussions and how it may affect the possibility of an eighteen game schedule. Two more games added to the season means two more games of contact. Yeah, that does mean two less preseason games, but lets face it, a lot of bench warmers and other players that were never going to make the teams were playing the majority of the time in those two preseason games, not starters.
I think it is entirely possible that the season could be shortened by a couple of games due to the concussion issue.
I don't see how that can be prevented, or even officiated. Players lower their heads on pretty much every running play. And what about Maurice Jones-Drew or Darren Sproles? Being a foot shorter than everyone else on the field, their heads are already lowered!
Holy Crap!!----Just Disband the friggin League ..And make red-headed stepchild Godell President of the Pussification of Sunday Afternoon Clubs..
If the NFL adds any more stupid rules im going back to watching other sports full time
Well, such as congress! You know, you don't have to do something just for the sake of doing something. I am a Steeler fan, but Gay got his #@! handed to him by AP and it was a great play. If he can't lower his head and run over the guy the play is over at the point of impact. Is that how we want to see this game. Oh, well, just more control from the idiots in charge.
Exhibit A should be Earl Campbell.
Imagine a running back with his shoulder lowered, but his head up.
I'd rather a concussion than a broken neck or decapitation.
Put a skirt on 'em and be done with it.
If this becomes a rule I would rather watch premership rugby.
This would be the worst rule ever. How would you even enforce it? This would slow the game down even more. This happens on almost every play. I thought this was football
I guess that eventually they are going to have to take the flags out of the referees pockets and staple them onto the hips of players. Even though it does make me wince every single time Peterson drops his head.
I'm all about protecting guys from getting their brains scrambled and becoming republicans but come on already. It's getting closer and closer to becoming flag football.
Remember football? that was a great sport
Roger Goodell "I hate football, especially the hitting". I just like to watch the pretty quarterbacks throw to the skinny guys"
Come on - let 'em injure one another! They're just uniforms and numbers! I love it when someone has to get carted off the field - it gives me more time to waddle out to the kitchen and grab another bag of chips and brewski or two while still getting my overstuffed behind back into my overstuffed recliner before they start again. Bring back letting linebackers clothesline receivers coming across the middle! Always loved that one! Haha! munch urrrrpp
Wow, Queens just got way too many weapons.
What kind of pussy BS is that??? I watch football to see guys like AD head truck fools!
You'd probably see more action in the lingerie bowl. The NFL sucks now
The first step should be to require players to wear their helmets correctly. Many players do not have them properly inflated and/or fitted. If the did, they would not come off during the play or even during a hit. A properly fitted helmet locks upon the head by utilizing the opcital protrusion at the lower rear protion of the skull. Properly fitted helmets take two hands to remove. They are removed by pulling apart at the ears and not ever by pushing up the facemask. Make it a penalty everytime a helmet comes off for any reason. Eve if a players helmet is taking off due to the opponent facemasking him. Also make all players were the kazoo style helmet that gives added protection.
Next require mouth pieces. They were specifically designed to protect against concussions. Tooth protection is secondary.
If this does not just take the helmets off altogether jk.
instead of playing 60 minutes of football,
the league announced sunday afternoon that a game of madden between captains of each team would decide each game, in response to increasing concerns over the long-term effects of concussions.
congressmen from both sides of the aisle praised the decision, declaring November 29th Roger Goodell day.
If only the threat of Congressional intervention would make the NFL (over)react to the problems of former NFL players so quickly.
I'll take nine concussions for a few million dollars. Just like the former Jets Wide Receiver Wayne Ch....Wayne Fre....Wayne Cher....damn, what was his name again? I'd ask him, but he doesn't know either.
This is why the NFL won't last forever. Just let them play. Can you imagine getting a 10 yard penalty on a TD run because he lowered his helmet? What a joke
The UFL allows you to lower your head
just sayin
Only if they could fix Peterson's habit of dropping the ball too.
another rule over the hill refs won't know how to enforce.
just take their hats off
So how will a RB run? Standing straight up? How does a RB run from the 1 yard line into the end zone without putting his head down? This is a stupid idea. This concussion issue is getting to the point of insanity. Let the guys play. This isn't tennis for Christ's sake, people are going to get hurt. Its a violent game and that's how fans like it.