Chiming In on the Tackling Controversy

Here is my opinion on the whole suspension for devastating hits controversy: Yes, the NFL is probably overreacting, but I think the new policy has the possibility to be effective. Yes, the whole thing is very subjective. But, I think that the NFL respects the mentality of a defensive player more than it gets credit for.

The talking heads have frequently pointed out that many of the thousands of hits on any given Sunday are perfectly legal. Yes! And those aren't going to get looked at. I think it is fair to say that only those hits penalized under the defenseless receiver rule now will apply along with helmet to helmet collisions. And I am going to give the NFL the benefit of the doubt that they are going to punish those that were clearly intentionally rough.

While I readily agree that football is a naturally rough sport, and find the argument that those who choose a career in professional football accept the risks along with that convincing, I also feel that hard hits in the past few years have grown increasingly malicious, and especially more prone to cause injury. In one of the few moments of truly great dialogue left on ESPN, last night's sportscenter featured a great debate between Matt Millen, Steve Young, and Trent Dilfer. To be honest, I think all brought up great points.

I have two key things that will completely nullify any faith that I have in this new system: ticky-tacky helmet to helmet hits, and clean, hard hits. I believe that the NFL needs to reiterate the focus of this rule in preventing HEAD injuries caused by the hit. I believe that concussions derived from hitting the ground should not be penalized under this rule, just as I believe a player who hurts a rib from a form tackle should not apply. The helmet hits thing applies to any hand to head contact, specifically to the quarterback, and to any helmet-to-helmet collision that occurs AFTER the original contact was somewhere on the torso.

If the NFL keeps away from those two exceptions, I will support them completely in this rule. I don't support the attitude of players like James Harrison, who openly promoted inflicting pain, even if it occasionally causes injury. Defense in the NFL should involve a fear factor, but a form tackle is more telling of a good NFL defensive player than a head blow on a defenseless receiver