5221

I saw that NFL Network show on most feared tacklers. Lott was underrated IMO.

What struck me though, immediately, throughout the show was that all of these players they were celebrating for being awesome would have been criminalized in today’s pussified NFL.

5222

Well, that’s how most defensive penalties and rules added over time have come about - a Hall of Fame worthy defensive player specialized in it.

5223

I can’t find the clip right now (it’s on nfl.com) but they actually ran a panel about the sissification of the NFL and, basically, Irvin, Faulk and I think Sapp went balls out against the rulechanges over the past ten years.

One thing that they talked about was how “they” had moved the hashmarks and moved a ref out of the D backfield, which enabled receivers without balls of steel and/or superior size to catch passes over the middle without fear of having their heads torn off. Back in my day, ca 89-96, only tight ends and tall, tough receivers (like Irvin) would dare to catch passes over the middle of the field, “in traffic” as it was called. Anyone that could elaborate on that?

Ronnie Lott had the instincts of Ed Reed but was primed to knock the receiver out of his shoes instead of getting the ball. The way they implement pass interference these days I dunno what kind of career he would have had today. Back then, if the receiver could reach the ball you were allowed to hit him however hard you could.

5224

This is some of the same shit I argued about earlier this year in this very thread. The rules aren’t written with the game in mind. There’s no way that human beings have that kind of control over their bodies in such a fast-paced contract game. I’ve seen defensive guys get leg whipped, happen to fall into the QB - 15 yards. The penalty on the McCoy sack above is absurd.

The James Harrison hit that was flagged on Thursday is one of those plays where I think the rules are absurd. McCoy was a runner with the ball tucked under his arm until perhaps 1 second before Harrison hit him. So, by league rules, one second before and Harrison’s hit is perfectly legal…but one second later it’s not? It’s not like this is even a sideline or late hit situation where you can see the opponent is going down or out. This is middle of the field, full-speed…it’s just not humanly possible to change your body. The only thing Harrison could have done would have been to dive to try to not hit him high, which would have put the impact at McCoy’s knees…and THAT is a dirty play.

You can’t even tell me it’s about player safety with a straight face. McCoy, clearly concussed, is sent right back in - there were no player checks by the Browns (watch the sideline tape). The NFL doesn’t even mandate the safest helmets. The league is over-regulating itself. You can’t even tell anymore what a legal tackle or a legal catch is.

As an aside, I have the weirdest gut feeling that Indy is going to beat the Ravens on Sunday night.

5225

It’s more than a little ironic (and, yes, I’m thinking I’m using it correctly) that some of you have chosen Ronnie Lott as the type of player you feel has been criminalized by the changes to the rules. Ronnie Lott is one of the leaders among former players espousing a safer NFL. He’s chiefly concerned that many former players need a great deal of help physically and are living shortened lives due to the compilation of injuries sustained during their playing days. Concussions are just part of the story.

Ronnie Lott knows his days of misery are coming - LA Times

Can tough guy Ronnie Lott bring a gentler NFL? - Time

5226

Personally, I brought up Lott as an example of a time when receivers got the snot knocked out of them on a regular basis in the NFL. The NFC East in the late eighties, for instance, was just brutal, brutal football. That he’s on the Safety Board is great, as he obviously knows what it’s all about. I also happen to agree with Bill Bellichick that Ed Reed is the best Free Safety we’ve ever seen, and Ed’s obviously been doing it under the new rules.

I have no problem with changing the rules to enhance player safety. Apparently 25% of all major injuries happened on kickoff plays, so they changed that to make it safer. Fine. Using your helmet (especially with a heavy facemask) as a weapon is insane and dangerous to pretty much everyone - good call. How that has been (in)consistently implemented is, I think, an excellent subject for discussion.
However, I’m seeing a lot of pass interference calls that are not about player safety, at all. Don’t you agree? And I’m also NOT seeing any discussion on how NFL players over the years were used as lab rats and pumped full of every steroid known to man and how THAT has affected their lives (and deaths) post-career.

I’d also be interested in how moving the ref out of the backfield and the hashmarks has affected the game, cause I’m not sure I see that. Obviously, the ref was someone you had to be aware of so you didn’t run in to him, but is that it?

Edit: Here’s a look at what NFL players live like, 25 years later.

5227

Wonder if they are going to run stories on the dementia, brain damage, and other physical ailments older players are now going through. Probably not, it’s more fun to watch people getting slammed, and not as much fun to talk to retired football players who don’t know their own names.

5228

Well they had better include hockey players and boxers in there as well. Football isn’t the only violent sport.

5229

They even talk about soccer causing the same problems. Not sure if any of it’s safe now.

5230

Jets/Chiefs is for some reason the only early game available locally here. And it starts with Jets having to call a timeout before their first play because they forgot to bring 11 players out.

5231

Thank you, Sex Cannon!

5232

Man,I gotta go to lions games more often, I’m great luck!

5233

That TD Newton threw was the kind that impresses me, good vision to see where to go with it and a delicate touch to bloop it right in there.

5234

Hell of a trick play by the Skins there.

5235

This is the worst game I’ve seen the Saints play all year. Hasselbeck must be their kryptonite or something.

5236

It’s also the worst piece of officiating I’ve seen in … several years, as well. Total Mickey Mouse.

5237

The penalty on Fletcher for the hit on Brady just now is up there as well.

5238

Fortunately for the Skins, Brady can’t seem to get it done in the Red Zone today.

5239

Bah. We entered the half with a total of 15 penalties unless I lost count, including an offside call on Drew Brees. They’ve found Holding or Illegal block calls on every big play so far today. I hope the whole ref team gets fired.

5240

Aaaand they found TWO holding calls on that punt!