Comments on: Roger Staubach thinks rules changes make NFL "a wussy game"

By: Mike Daly

Mike Daly — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:55:24 +0000

There is zero correlation between stopping receivers beyond the five-yard limit and concussions, and it is a huge stretch to say that rules all but isolating quarterbacks from being hit are preventing any concussions. The reality is Staubach is telling the truth – Peyton Manning is succeeding because he’s so weak his GM had to bully the league into stopping real defenses like New England, Tennessee, Baltimore, etc. from hitting him. It’s wrong – Manning should have to man up and take savage beatings if he wants to be a real quarterback.

By: JohnnySkamps

JohnnySkamps — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:34:10 +0000

Touch the helmet with your pinky. That will be 15 yards!
Roger That.

By: Mike Rendahl

Mike Rendahl — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:40:21 +0000

He’s so right, the NFL has turned into a game of hand-waving pansy’s except for when it’s gangster time for ESPN “jacked-up”.
I’d take Staubach any day over the robot quarterbacks that play today with their pathetic ear pieces.
The NFL Sucks and it will never be as good as it was back in the day when Fran Tarkenton and Staubach were playing.

By: zibby

zibby — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:18:42 +0000

I completely agree with Roger. The NFL is a shell of itself and it is only going to get worse each year. How they protect the quarterback with all the rules is a joke, how many rules is Tom Brady going to have named after him? That girl whines evertime she takes a hit. Pathetic.

By: 5ringking

5ringking — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:12:34 +0000

There are QB’s who could have played in any era, Ben for instance. The Manning boys would have played a lot like dear old dad under the old rules.

By: danphxariz

danphxariz — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:04:36 +0000

No kidding Staubach is exactly right. I just finished watching the very first Monday Night Football game on video, between the Browns and Jets in 1970. Its really incredible how much the game has changed. I saw people driving guys out of bounds and pounding them into the turf (out of bounds) – no penalty. Somebody laying on the ground kicking another player in the head with his cleats – no penalty. Receivers getting absolutely mauled while trying to run patters – no penalty. QBs being hit virtually every play – no penalties. And all that with some players still wearing single bar facemasks. Say what you want about todays players being bigger, faster and more athletic, but to say that football is anywhere near the same game now as it was in the 1970′s when Staubach played is a fantasy. Staubach was playing a different and vastly more difficult game for the offense, and comparing his stats to a QBs stats from today is pointless. He was one of the best of his era and a clear hall of famer and that’s the bottom line.

By: Cowgirl Hate-ahh

Cowgirl Hate-ahh — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:19:44 +0000

“…if only he would buy the Cowboys from Jerry Jones all would be right in the world and they could become my favorite team again !”
No Shite. If Roger would buy the Cowboys I would consider switching allegiances to the ‘boys. These owners like Leatherface, and Danny Boy Partridge Shiester (Snyder) just make me cringe. We need more owners like the Rooneys and the Maras. Class acts, who hire good leadership and then support them (but are not so insecure as to desire constant media attention).

By: shehawks + retardnals

shehawks + retardnals — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:04:33 +0000

I HATE the Cowgirls, but… Amen Roger, amen.

By: Wallbangers

Wallbangers — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:37:47 +0000

If Roger had 20 concussions, I don’t see what the big deal is with them..He appears to have all his wits intact… I mean, the guy built a billion dollar real estate company. He is or is close to being the richest pro football player thats ever played the game… Now that I think about it….if only he would buy the Cowboys from Jerry Jones all would be right in the world and they could become my favorite team again !

By: Nostradumbass

Nostradumbass — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:31:08 +0000

WhyTF do we have to get a daily opinion piece from ex-quarterback’s?
Are they designated professor emeritus when they retire?
Joe Namath criticizes the Jet offence after week one, Sunday morning Terry Bradshaw gives a opening soliquay about how QB’s should act in public and now this old coot.
Shut up and go away!

By: GB3Pack4

GB3Pack4 — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:25:30 +0000

Stunning. Goes to prove, once again, that someone brilliant in one field, like a HOF QB, can be a complete idiot in another area. Thinking things through doesn’t seem to be Roger’s forte.
Of course, it could just be all those insignificant little concussions he suffered.

By: TheSleepness

TheSleepness — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:24:34 +0000

staubach is right…the game is pussified..defenseless WR/running into the K/P..those are the kind of penalties that have to go.

By: DH

DH — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:21:49 +0000

i agree with some of what roger said. Its not a wussy game but its definitely not as tough as it was back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. the NFL got carried away with the rule changes when it comes to PI and illegal contact downfield as well as with Roughing the passer penalties. And now you cant even lay out a defenseless receiver without a flag. How are you supposed to play defense?

By: clintcooper

clintcooper — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:17:50 +0000

Hey Roger – in your day the players were much smaller and weaker so the players weren’t getting hit as hard or as dirty. I would love to see the Roger Staubach from the 1970′s play in this era. He’d be out for the season after about 5 miutes of play.

By: NUSprinter

NUSprinter — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:12:47 +0000

I think it’s funny how every one is saying that Roger won’t last in todays game. Good think he played back then. All the defensive players is getting bigger, faster, and stronger. The QBs are getting bigger, faster, and stronger too. They should be able to take a hit without crying about it all the time. I also think the pass interference penalties are crap, these are some of the best athletes in the world and they’re not allowed to attempt to physically dominate the other guy until the ball has touched someone. The NFL is indeed starting to have the shadow of a wuss league.

By: LowVoltage

LowVoltage — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:53:36 +0000

Maybe all those concussions are the reason Staubach sounds so stupid when he speaks. There were not as many defensive players in his day who were as huge, fast , and designed to be human missiles. Defensive players today are so violent that they injure themselves on hits.

By: Lucky5927

Lucky5927 — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:53:29 +0000

He is absolutely right! I saw a Packer player get hit this weekend by an Eagles defender and the ref called a penalty. The hit was a legit hit and a good football play. It used to be defenders had to be two steps or less away from a defender. Now, the NFL might as well put red jersey’s on the QB’s during games if players aren’t allowed to rough up a QB.

By: Chapnasty.

Chapnasty. — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:45:18 +0000

Does anyone else remember high school football where if your mouth guard wasn’t in your mouth you were penalized for it? Or if your chin strap wasn’t buttoned up on both sides with both snaps you were forced to snap it up before the play started? I couldn’t help but notice that very few NFL players wear mouth-guards which are scientifically proven to prevent concussions. I also noticed a large number of helmets, including Percy Harvin’s (IRONY) falling off left and right after being hit.
How about some common sense basic safety steps be taken to actually prevent head injuries rather than pussy footing around with these terrible penalties that ruin the game?

By: Cowgirl Hate-ahh

Cowgirl Hate-ahh — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:43:22 +0000

” The old timers sit there and whine they don’t get any money from the players today and than don’t want to give them any credit for their accomplishments. Can’t have it both ways Roger.”
Shuxion: respect your opinion, but with regard to the point above, it would not be pertinent to Roger. He owns one of the largest real estate development firms in the country. Maybe a millionaire 100x over.
Don’t know him, but from the outside, he appears to be one of the most grounded people related to football. I read that he lives in the same small (relative to other people of his wealth) house he lived in while playing — a four bedroom ranch. Married his wife in his early 20s and their marriage has been strong for over 30 years. And no — he does not have any Roger Staubach II’s, Jr’s, or Rogerettes running around with differing ‘baby mamas,’ a la Ray-Ray Lewis and Gary (I don’t wear a) “Glove” Payton.

By: Happy Gilmore

Happy Gilmore — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:40:52 +0000

He is totally right.
I’m amazed at how often I see a strong play made by a defender and then find myself flinching because I just know a flag is coming…

By: yem123

yem123 — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:40:04 +0000

Staubach is right, but also consider that the players back then were a lot smaller. I am 6’2″ 230, and I think I could have played offensive line for the Steelers in the 70s.

By: Thingamajig

Thingamajig — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:32:34 +0000

I hate to admit it but Roger Staubach is one correct Cowboy. In his day they played for the love of the game, today they play for money. And that includes the NFL, owners and players.

By: Cowgirl Hate-ahh

Cowgirl Hate-ahh — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:32:12 +0000

“A lot of people haven’t had the opportunity to actually play organized football and absorb some of these hits. A lot of them don’t even result in loss of consciousness. Concussions do not feel good……do not feel good at all……”
And, as the medical field is just beginning to come to terms with, concussive events are CUMULATIVE. You can get ‘well’ from them, but residual damage remains — for life. Each compounds on the other. I’ve had three – two from football, one from a fight, and some symptoms have never gone away.
A leader in the field (which as I said is in its infancy):
http://www.amenclinics.com/blog/1117/repeated-concussions-can-ruin-your-life/

By: CaptainManhattan

CaptainManhattan — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:30:54 +0000

@ myeaglescantwin
“write” !?!?!?
Had to be an eagles fan. Enjoy last place this year and take an English class.

By: mama tried

mama tried — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:26:59 +0000

You know what else is wussy? That ridiculous haircut (or more likely, perm) Roger has rocked for the last three generations.
I think I just sheet on myself!!

By: Dewey Axewoond

Dewey Axewoond — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:26:05 +0000

FinFan68 says:
September 15, 2010 2:27 PM
Concussions aside, today’s players are likely to sit out a game or two with a hangnail. The Ronnie Lott finger incident is just plain stupid, but does anybody really think the season-ending injury Urlacher had last year would have sidelined Butkis…even for a game?
________________________________
I don’t know who “Butkis” is–did you mean Dick BUTKUS?
Speaking of things you don’t know–you don’t know a damn thing about sports medecine, either, apparently.
The reason Urlacher was placed on IR is because of the specific bone he injured–a dislocated lunate bone, which is the bone that is at the center of the wrist, at the middle of the eight bones. It holds the wrist together, and the risk in not treating the injury immediately, or in coming back before the injury is completely healed is serious, as in “life-altering” serious.
It could lead to permanent nerve damage and that could affect the hand itself long term, which means effecting its everyday use–writing, driving, beating off, eating hot wings, holding a beer, fingering your girl(boy?)friend, swinging a golf club, etc.
I agree with your basic assertion, but Urlacher’s dislocated lunate bone is NOWHERE near a suitable example of that.

By: BuckyBadger

BuckyBadger — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:24:39 +0000

The old timers sit there and whine they don’t get any money from the players today and than don’t want to give them any credit for their accomplishments. Can’t have it both ways Roger.
Hate to break this to Roger but he wouldn’t even be able to compete in today’s NFL. The players are faster, stronger and hit way harder therefore there needs to be some form of safety to evolve with the change in athlete.
All these old timers need to STFU. It is no different than when a parent tells their child that their generation has no respect, or the music from their generation was better, or rap music is a fad or my walk to school was harder than your walk to school. Shut your mouth. Times have changed and your time is over. Bashing today’s athletes won’t return you to glory.

By: The Real Shuxion

The Real Shuxion — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:24:22 +0000

Bill Polian just punched another intern, good job Roger.

By: OldDominionRedskins

OldDominionRedskins — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:21:02 +0000

A lot of people haven’t had the opportunity to actually play organized football and absorb some of these hits. A lot of them don’t even result in loss of consciousness. Concussions do not feel good……do not feel good at all……

By: Chapnasty.

Chapnasty. — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:17:14 +0000

If he wasn’t a Cowboy half of you idiots would agree with him.