Comments on: Mike Brown voted against helmet rule because it’s hard to officiate

By: bonniebengal

bonniebengal — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:14:07 +0000

I personally think what is causing all these over the top safety rules is the current lawsuit against the NFL by former players. They are trying to eliminate this happening again in the future. It’s ALWAYS about the money.

By: jprather17

jprather17 — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:31:43 +0000

Its tempting to become aBengals fan because of his stance against this stupid rule. Its also tempting to become a Packers fan because they arent owned by a pathetic old man trying to remake the game so it sells better. If the fans own Green Bay who made the decision to vote for them? Shouldnt they be allowed to vote on line and the majority vote gets the vote for their team? If i was the Packers fans who didnt agree with this rule I would be complaining to the chairman of the board.

By: golewgo2

golewgo2 — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:47:48 +0000

Mike Brown was channeling Al Davis on this vote.

By: tiggerblood

tiggerblood — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:01:56 +0000

I’ve been screaming this for two years now. Players know the risk of playing football. They sign the contract the litigation is bologna, by former players who are broke after blowing their fortune. The only former players that have a legit complaint are the ones from before the ’90s when they didn’t make millions. Set up a sports medicine hospital for football related injuries for all former players to use the NFLPA and the NFL owners should find away to fund this by setting money aside in contracts for this. But instead of spending money out of the billion dollar industry on this they’ll change the rules and RUIN the game. In a previous comment someone stated time to start another league. I couldn’t agree more, leave are American pastime alone. The NFL believes they’re so popular that whatever they do people will still watch. Come on my fellow fans it’s time to make a stand without us they’re is no money to be had!

By: mikel119

mikel119 — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 03:35:08 +0000

what color flags are going to be put on the side of the players??? or if a player is touched will there be instant replay and can a couch challenge the touch. was it 2 hands or one.

By: sparky151

sparky151 — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 01:37:33 +0000

Brown is right that the refs tend to throw their flag first, decide what happened later when hits to the head were made a point of emphasis. As mentioned a couple times already Reggie Nelson was called a couple times for hits that replay showed were perfectly legal. The refs are league employees and there is a perception that some teams get favored treatment. The Bengals aren’t one of those teams so the less subjectivity the better from the Bengal’s point of view.

By: chocopoppy

chocopoppy — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:49:08 +0000

I wish Brown would retire but I agree with him here. This also proves he is no puppet for Goodell. All the “key” owners like Jerrah, Bowlen, Rooney, Mara, etc line up to support Goodell while Mikey Brown votes however the hell he wants to. Props.

By: godevilsasu

godevilsasu — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:34:32 +0000

Props to Mike Brown. Major points…

By: 4getu

4getu — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:12:24 +0000

All these rules are just making it easier for the NFL to dictate who they want in the playoffs and who will play in the Super Bowl. Goodell wanted ray Lewis to retire on top last season, something tells me he will want Peyton manning to retire on top this upcoming season. Sure hope I’m wrong

By: zenrooster

zenrooster — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:10:32 +0000

In that picture, Marvin Lewis’ smile is saying “This is the first time my boss has talked sense”

By: sellout1983

sellout1983 — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:09:56 +0000

I agree with Mike Brown…well, there’s a first time for everything! Who Dey!

By: orivar

orivar — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:08:00 +0000

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while just took on a whole new meaning. Mike Brown did something right.

By: truthserum4u

truthserum4u — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:45:22 +0000

Mike Brown – voice of reason…who would have thunk it?

By: thraiderskin

thraiderskin — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:24:07 +0000

In real-time speed… yeah, virtually impossible. Well played Brown.

By: thefiesty1

thefiesty1 — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:15:54 +0000

He doesn’t really care about the new helmet rule. If his players get hurt it’s no problem for him since he pays them so little it won’t cost him very much.

By: hqdeezy

hqdeezy — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:53:13 +0000

How is Goodell ruining the NFL? He proposed the change, but NFL team owners were the ones who voted in favor of the ban.

By: mikebrownistheworstownerinprosports

mikebrownistheworstownerinprosports — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:52:49 +0000

As a Bengals fan for 20 years, this may be the first time I’ve said this: Mike Brown is right.

By: jkampel20

jkampel20 — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:47:00 +0000

Following up to my post earlier….

Reggie Nelson has been flagged multiple times for textbook hits…

Hits that were so perfectly executed, the NFL took the tape and showed it to Rookies at some symposium, and told “this is how you hit with your shoulder”.

Wait….don’t mind the yellow flag on the ground.

The NFL is becoming a joke. I’m a diehard Bengals fan, and for ONCE I can stand proud of that fact…. Haha.

By: beachsidejames

beachsidejames — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:43:32 +0000

Mr. Brown was the ONLY one with the guts to vote no. It’s a mans game…Lets keep it that way.

By: beachsidejames

beachsidejames — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:40:17 +0000

Safety? This is going to leave running backs vulnerable. Hard enough to be a physical back in a physical game. Now just before impact of the hit the league wants them to have this on their mind. Not a good move.

By: Max

Max — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:37:37 +0000

Is this a way for the league to make money from players, by fining players for illegally lowering the heads?

Is it really more about the league generating revenue rather than actual safety? Sort of like a COP at the end of the month setting up a speed trap to fill his quota so the Dept. can make some money!

By: harrisonhits2

harrisonhits2 — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:35:57 +0000

He’s certainly right in this case. I can’t wait to see the whining from certain coaches and players next year once the refs start calling this.

If you thought PI is poorly and inconsistently enforced, wait till you see what the NFL’s lousy refs do with this one.

By: scchamil

scchamil — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:35:07 +0000

You can take shots at Mike Brown for a lot of things, but he has been on the right side of history on a couple of these league decisions now. I believe he was one of only two owners to vote against the distatrious collective bargaining agreement that caused the last lockout too. More important than debating the man, is debating his reasoning here… and it couldn’t be more sound. This is a problematic rule.

It (along with the defenseless receiver judgment rule) cheapens the game. The difference between extreme success and extreme failure on any given play rests too much in the interpretation of the officials. Replay should be allowed and these penalty should only be called in the most aggregious instances. Player safety is one thing… making rules for the public appearance that you care about player safety is another.

By: 303bengalguy

303bengalguy — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:34:29 +0000

Brown has been historically on the opposite side of the consensus of the owners and he was right when he and the Bills owner were the only two to vote against the previous CBA.

By: webofbelief

webofbelief — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:29:06 +0000

If the purpose of this article was to somehow embarrass Mike Brown, you failed miserably. He clearly has a well-reasoned argument to back his position. What about the other owners?

By: norcalsportsknowledge

norcalsportsknowledge — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:26:44 +0000

It’s hard to believe he’s the only one with enough common sense too at least want to take a longer look at this. This was rushed through, which is scary. League is trying to change the game and by doing it quickly they’re hoping no one will notice. I applaud Mr. Brown.

By: jkampel20

jkampel20 — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:24:19 +0000

The Bengals (much like everyone else) have been burned in critical moments (Reggie Nelson delivering textbook hits) many times.

He’s sick of it. Players are sick of it. Fans are sick of it. Roger loves it.

I’m shocked he was the only owner that wants to give the zebras even more power to decide games.

It’s a sad day.

By: cincyorangenblack

cincyorangenblack — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:24:11 +0000

And this line of “not with the flock” thinking, ruling, voting is exactly why the ‘NFL’ (under Goodell) continually has it in for the Bengals….

Crazy how the most ‘facey’ owners are the guys who’s teams always seem to get calls… and favorable matchups and opportune times of the year (Steelers- Rooney’s & Patriots- Kraft; Modell Ravens Era)

not sayin, i’m just sayin

Good on you though Mike Brown, finally starting to change your ways these last 3-ish or so years.
He’s like that grampa everyone knows who was grumpy as hell, then one day decided he was going to be cool & hip

By: smitty152169

smitty152169 — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:22:48 +0000

How does the worst owner in the league make the best decision on this rule? Only if he would make better decisions when it comes to his football team and yes I’m a Bengals fan.

By: bucrightoff

bucrightoff — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:19:45 +0000

I think everyone became Bengals fans today.