Blind Side Hits

[skinsfanthru&thru]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2013952

what do u guys think about the possible rule change? I know football is a violently physical sport, but some of these hits we're seeing now a days are completely unnecessary like that hit they mention by Sapp of Clifton Smith 2 years ago. Or that punk ass hit by Trotter targeting easily the weakest player on the field and blasting the punter. I do like this possible rule adjustment, but I do think they need to lessen the wussification of the qb position with all the rules protecting them from anyone getting within 2 feet of their vicinity.

[Daseal]

While Sapp's hit on Clifton wasn't nice, it was within the context of the game. However, where does this stop? I've seen "unsuspecting" players around the ball get absolutely ROCKED before. Should this be taken out? Had they not been hit, though be it from a broad side, they would have most likely made a tackle or at least changed the course of the play.

I don't know if I agree with it, though it's intentions are well. Rarely is anyone seriously injured from these hits, and if you make players afraid to hit someone I think it can do nothing but make the game deteriorate.

[John Hasbrouck]

The CHEAP shots have to be done away with. Like Jack Lambert said-you might as well put dresses on the QBs.

[Gmanc711]

I'm with Dasel. It is unforunate that some of these hits happen; and somtimes people are going to get hurt. Seriously though; that is a major part of the game and they dont have the time to think about weather or not a block is leagal or not before they throw it. The idea of it to prevent injury is right; they should try to cut that down. However I really think this could effect the overall product on the feild and I'm very opposed to it. Its just another penalty that will always be borderline and more time than not we'll have some called on us. I say No!

[rickmmrr]

I say when a vicious hit is made on someone who has there head turned and doesn't see it coming and they are clearly away from the action of the play or the play is over then make it a penalty and fine there ass big time. Like that Sapp hit. He's an ass.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I also agree that this is unfortuate, but that is why women don't play the sport.

[Daseal]

rickmmr - how many times have you seen someone away from the play come back and make a play? Especially of an interception or on a punt return when there's often a lot of lateral movement? Do you really trust refs with judgement calls like that? It's hard to enforce the rles you're suggesting.

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I also agree that this is unfortuate, but that is why women don't play the sport.

Uh oh, I guess you haven't met biggirl yet.

http://www.thewarpath.net/showpost.p...7&postcount=15

[sportscurmudgeon]

I am 100% confident that if a cheap shot layed Patrick Ramsey out for ten games or Clinton Portis for a month or Sean Taylor for seven games, the tone here would be very different. The perpitrator would be a sniveling punk and a coward who would not dare have done such a thing "face-to-face: or man-to-man". And it would certainly be the fault of the league and/or the referees who are clearly out to "get" the Redskins...

Folks, it is worth thinking about ways to minimize injuries to players because injuries are going to happen in the normal course of football games no matter what the rules. So if the rules can prevent a few extra injuries every year, it is worth considering.

Now, can the Competition Committee come up with bad rules? Of course they can. That's why they often "test" proposed NFL rules in NFL Europe for a while to see if they make sense.

[Monksdown]

Its interesting actually. It's widely known that the Patriots use techniques team wide that are border line illegal, and sometimes very illegal. Not just the contact rule. But their offense uses cut blocks regularly with their tight ends and wideouts.

[skinsfanthru&thru]

Originally Posted by Monksdown

Its interesting actually. It's widely known that the Patriots use techniques team wide that are border line illegal, and sometimes very illegal. Not just the contact rule. But their offense uses cut blocks regularly with their tight ends and wideouts.

I hadn't heard or seen that. The only team I know of that there has been very negative talk about how they block is the Broncos.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

If someonen laid out any of our players with a blind-side hit, I would feell it wwas unfornutate BUT I wouldnt change my sntance that when you start enfrocing rules like that it becomes too subjective, like whered o you draw the line...

[Monksdown]

Originally Posted by skinsfanthru&thru

I hadn't heard or seen that. The only team I know of that there has been very negative talk about how they block is the Broncos.

I saw a short story on it somewhere about midseason last year. And of course the Broncos were mentioned. But they also showed several examples of low blocking from the blind side on defensive players, by the Pats. Its hard to be credible when I cant remember where I saw it, but I do remember it being reputable, visual evidence.

[John Hasbrouck]

I say play the game by the rules of the 50's and then there won't be any whining about how this guy hit that guy or whatever.QBs today ought to just wear a red jersey.It is a violent game and the more they attempt to harness it they hurt it in my opinion.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by skinsfanthru&thru

I hadn't heard or seen that. The only team I know of that there has been very negative talk about how they block is the Broncos.

49ers used to be somewhat known for cut blocking too...

btw, i can't believe pass interference isn't challengeabe yet, that'd be the first thing i'd want after emphasis and soo many bad bad bad bad bad calls.