https://twitter.com/GipsySafety/status/1028307774277603328
Oh boy, this new NFL helmet rule is going to be a doozy this season. You thought the catch rule was bad last year and years before that? Just wait til the flags start flying in big moments from this new helmet to helmet rule. We already saw a few questionable calls in the Hall of Fame game, and now even more last night. Check out this textbook form tackle from Raiders safety Karl Joseph last night.
Now imagine this happening in a game that matters. This rule is going to swing wins and losses.
https://twitter.com/GipsySafety/status/1028308047234564096
I’m not sure what else he could’ve done there. Sure looks like he led with his shoulder with the helmet to the side that just happened to make some contact. But that’s going to happen. Helmets are going to make contact when tackles are made. That’s just football, folks.
I’m all for keeping concussions down and making sure these player’s brains aren’t mashed potatoes by the time they’re 45, but unless we break out the flags and get rid of helmets altogether, this rule is going to be bad news.
Here is the rule via PFT:
As approved by NFL clubs in March, it is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent. Contact does not have to be to an opponent’s head or neck area – lowering the head and initiating contact to an opponent’s torso, hips, and lower body, is also a foul. Violations of the rule will be easier to see and officiate when they occur in open space – as opposed to close line play – but this rule applies anywhere on the field at any time.
Another bad one from the Falcons-Jets game last night
Under new NFL "helmet to helmet rule," this is now a penalty. I mean, I get the push for player safety. But at what point is football gonna stop being…. football, if this is now a penalty pic.twitter.com/904HKLzWmy
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) August 11, 2018
