Is there really any doubt about how the league is going to go? The NFL has just approved the latest rule to turn the league into flag football as the “hip-drop tackle” becomes yet another defensive mainstay regulated out of football.
The NFL is actively trying to destroy itself.
Despite already passing SO MANY RULES that turns the league into a flag football entity, the NFL has passed yet another rule to further dilute the on-field play as the “hip-drop tackle” is no longer allowed and will carry a 15-yard penalty on any who commits the act. And, if you couldn’t tell, I think this is an UTTERLY AWFUL IDEA!
Why even still call the league the National Football League anymore? The NFL should just go full throttle and add in the second “F” to their acronym to signify their now the National Flag Football League.
So, like I said, the NFL has just passed yet another defensive rule regulation to prevent teams from being able to properly defend as the league’s Corruption Committee…sorry, I guess it’s actually called the Competition Committee…and the 32 NFL barons (who truly only pose as owners) both voted to impose this new rule that will ban hip drop tackles, which have seen a few noteworthy injuries (such as Mark Andrews and Tony Pollard’s injuries), completely and punish any defender who commits said tackle with a 15-yard penalty and automatic 1st down.
Now, is this rule change a complete game-breaker on its own? Well…no, it’s actually not.
If removing the hip-drop tackle was proven and consensually agreed to improve player safety, then I would be completely for the banning of the maneuver. But it’s not.
Not only has the hip drop tackle only been responsible for a handful AT MOST of injuries during the totality of last season, but the tackle itself is near unanimously backed by the active and former players as the NFLPA itself came out and disagreed with the proposal. You know, the very entity SOLELY DEDICATED (so they claim) for the well-being and safety of the players!
If they don’t agree with this rule change, then why is it taking place? Oh, that’s right, it’s because some moronic analytics staffers in the Competition Committee thought it would be a good idea to reduce injuries, rather than actually listening to the players themselves! Now, if you’ve read anything else I have written, then you will know I don’t hold the opinions of players akin to the word of God in the arena of sports as many fans do.
Players can and often are wrong with how their, respective, game should be operated…as is the case with many non-professional athletes in positions of authority as well. But this is one of those issues were analytic idiots behind a computer screen, film monitor, and Excel spreadsheets sheets should shut up and listen to the ACTUAL ATHLETES playing the sport.
I would hope they know above all others what types of tackles and maneuvers actually cause serious harm to themselves on a consistent basis.
Regardless, the biggest reason why I hate this rule is how it has accompanied dozens of other rule changes that takes defense out of the hands of the actual defenders and places it squarely in the hands of the referees. Roughing the passer call regulations, pass interference regulations, even more coaches challenges and ref challenges, and now hip drop tackle regulations essentially make it so the refs have full and complete say over how a defense can defend on any given Sunday afternoon.
Why? It’s because all of these “rules” are not really rules or guidelines for how players can defend in real time, but rather give the refs power to make completely subjective calls over plays that happen in a split second! I know that sounds like how defense has always been, but it’s really not.
Back before these rule changes, it was quite easy to understand what a “head shot” is or a “blind-side” block. That’s almost completely objective for either the defender hit the attacker in the head or in the back when he is not looking or not.
These new rule changes force refs to have to watch and see the precise location of where a player tackled another in what used to be a perfectly legal area (the chest, torso, hips, shoulders, thighs, etc.), where the defender landed in comparison to the attacking player, and where the defender’s hands are located on the defender and for how long (and, no, I don’t mean holding but rather just leverage) while the ball is in the air, etc.
Oh, and that all has to be in addition to their areas of oversight on the field…and all in REAL TIME!
You mind as well regulate defense out of the sport completely as these subjective calls are bound to fluctuate week-to-week with uproars from fans and teams alike.
But that is what good ol’ Roger, the 32 NFL barons, and their lifeless corporate sponsors wish for anyways, right?
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